Leaking Grease from CV Boot

So I recently installed my new wheel/tire combo which started rubbing the mudflaps. When I went to take them off for trimming, I noticed thick black grease all over the passenger side mudflap and fender liner.

I got underneath and there was a bunch of grease over the CV Boot and endlinks. I was hoping it was maybe just extra grease that was added when my frame was replaced but after wiping it all down, I noticed two small holes in the CV Boot (circled in red). The vice grips were left there by the tech doing my frame replacement which I didn't notice till I got home.

To give you some context, I don't have the tools or space at my place to change this myself, so I'm asking for your advice first so I know what parts to buy before bringing it in for repair.

What parts should I be replacing? Should I simply replace the CV Joint Boot or should I replace the whole shaft assembly?

 

Should just be able to replace the boot.

New frame replacement, featuring a free pair of vice grips!

 

Whole shaft

 

It all depends.

CVs go bad when they get dirt in there. They get dirt when the boot tears and it starts flinging grease.

If you just tore it and stop driving it? Sure. You can get away with replacing just the boot.

If you’ve been flinging grease for awhile and it’s clicking? Rebuild time.

 

Hmm

So the tech left tools attached to the vehicle and you drove it home like that?

I would take that pic back to the stealership that ruined your CV boot by leaving vise grips attached. Have them replace the part they destroyed.

 

I didn’t read that part, that the Tech left the vice grips attached.

I’d like to change my above reply to “....yo what the fuck.”

 

Its likely that the tech damaged the cv boot if he was careless enough to leave tools behind like that. I would expect the dealer to replace the axle for free

 

Those Vice Grips are now a part of the collection for sure.

I would say since I noticed it, I've done maybe 2 tanks of gas. I dont mind parking it until I make the repair. I also havent noticed a distinct clicking noise. Do you think I'm okay to change the boot only at this point?

That picture is from January when I first brought it home. At this point I probably don't have a leg to stand on so I'll probably just have to bite the bullet and cover the expense myself.

I do find it weird that they didn't notice the grease. I've had it back twice since then for them to check the brakes front and back and re-bleed the brake system.

 

Did they give you the print out with the green check marks on it?

My stealership does a 'multi point' inspection when they do work and give you back a check list with everything they checked.

Nothing like that from the brake system re-bleed?

 

Not sure if I have a leg to stand on since that was back in January. Because of all the slush on the roads, I didnt notice the grease when I removed the vice grips. It just looked like snow and crud on the suspension.

 

You might be but probably not if it’s been that long. A little dirt goes a long way, unfortunately.

The vice grips changes things significantly, in my little brain. That’s negligence on the dealer that caused the tear.

 

I'd have to check, I originally received the paperwork for the parts included in the frame replacement but I dont remember a full point inspection sheet.

The brake check and re-bleeding were done from me complaining and "under warranty" from the frame, so I dont remember them giving me paperwork afterwards. Ill check tonight.

I do agree there was probably negligence, I returned the truck three times before I was happy with it. You can tell they were not happy with me bothering them so much. I think at this point it would be more efficient and less headache to have the part changed myself.

 

That sucks. Sorry bud

 

@rmorse @llamasmurf @b_r_o @honda50r Can you guys recommend the best part to order from the picture above? Or the appropriate part that I should order?

 

I’m gonna be honest, I’ve only just started in the Tacoma world. I bought my 2015 new and it was my first one...haven’t had to do any repairs yet. All my comments were coming from what I know with cars. Can’t help you on specific part/numbers yet or best place to get parts because I haven’t had to fix my truck yet

 

I would personally buy a brand new OEM CV, rebuild the one you have and keep it for a spare.

That is just what I would do.

 

Yea that’s a good move

 

Any decent reman axle would be fine. I put reman axles on customers cars all the time and it's not like I have a problem with every single one.

O'Reilly's has a nicer quality line called Import Direct. I put one in a 05 4Runner yesterday and it looked like a pretty good product, it fit good and had nice-looking band clamps. It was also a brand new axle not a reman

 

What year did they stop putting cv boots on? My Tacoma doesn’t have them.

 

You have a prerunner