Did Les Schwab Ruin my outer CV Boot?

What kind of recourse do I have here? Am I on the right track?

I installed new coils and shocks on my 2015 DCLB on June 19, there was no axle grease anywhere. Drove it maybe 50-70, miles no grease.

On June 21, I had the truck aligned at my local Les Schwab. They said my front driver alignment cam is seized. No big deal.

Today, June 26 I look under the truck because I am dissatisfied with the alignment of they did, just looking how much toe adjustment I can do, or have them do (lots). And there is grease everywhere in the drivers side well.

I do a visual and tactile inspection and I find that part of the boot looks burned/melted. I am suspicious that they took heat to maybe a tie rod to adjust it.

The timing is too perfect. Truck has 77000 miles, no grease days before hand, even after 50-70 miles of driving immediately after the lift...

I also had the truck in for normal maintenance at a reliable shop on the 12, no grease. I also assumed that if Les Schwab saw the grease then they would have wanted to try to get me to pay for a replacement axle for more business...

Thoughts? Recourse? I don't want one of their aftermarket shitty CVs, OEM only.

Guess this is what I get for going to Les Schwab...

 

Yes.

Source: Me, I've done that before.

Take a pic of the discoloured tie rod just for reference as well.

 

Big box stores are a roll of the dice.

Go discuss your findings with the manager and see what they say. You might get lucky.

 

Definitely a gas ax accident.

 

Yep, they got the torch too close

 

A picture like this? Heat and melt

 

If they admit fault:

1. I don't want a cheap axle, and would only accept an OEM as a replacement.

2. If they won't install OEM, I need them to give me the cost of an OEM replacement. This doesn't factor in labor, which would be my own.

3. If they say they will repair the boot... I'm almost more nervous about them performing this job correctly... Outer boot means new inner and outer grease, and with clamps that look the same but aren't. And they need to be OEM boots too... I'd rather them pay me the shop rate for someone else to do it, but I doubt they'd do that either.

Thoughts?

 

Let’s say they did do it. Why do they owe a brand new OE axle assembly? They owe you a 8 year old 77k mile axle assembly. Imo cv joint is fine just ask for an OE boot replacement.

 

You're not wrong, but they're just parts changers, and if they won't do an oe boot job, I just don't want a non oe axle.

Appreciate the perspective!

 

Wrong on what? If they damaged it they only have to make you whole which is putting the truck back how it came in. How many miles on the axle with the grease leaking? Toyota actually makes an OE reman for less than $200 for the 2nd gen.

 

I said not wrong

 

Ooops, my bad. My eyes read correctly and my old ass brain had a malfunction processing.

 

Les Schwab lost my business for good years ago after a few shady situations I have had to deal with on a few of my vehicles.

That said, I would ask Les Schwab to cash me out for the cost they would have charged me if I had brought the truck in for a boot repair. Then I would order a used low mileage used OEM axle assembly from LKQ and swap it out myself.

Then, reboot/regrease the original myself and have as a spare.

 

FTFY

 

Local LS reviewed their footage and agreed to fix it. They said they would rather install a new shaft rather than re-boot one. Would also sell me my original for core charge amount.

Unfortunately neither they, nor I, can find an OEM shaft locally... Reman or OEM, from a dealership... Any leads in the Seattle are would help! Maybe they'll pivot on the re-boot thing...

 

They’re on back order. I ordered 2 oem reman axles like a month ago. First one just got here yesterday and hoping the other gets here this week,,

good luck!

 

May have to just order one if that works.

I just ordered a Reman for my FJ from this place - just showed up today and from all I can see it looks correct. This was just a few days ago AFTER I went to my dealer and they said they were on backorder 50+ deep. YMMV

https://parts.toyotaofnashua.com/oe...0YWNvbWEmeT0yMDE1JnQ9YmFzZSZlPTQtMGwtdjYtZ2Fz

 

I've used Les Schwab since 1990 and will continue. They are not the least expensive option but have treated me fair. I throw a few tire purchases from Discount in the mix from time-to-time.

 

CVJ

 

They balked at the price of the one remaining axle within six dealerships. They've now agreed to go the OEM boot route. Fine with me.

Although he did try to convince me that his aftermarkets were just as good as OEM and offer to replace with an aftermarket let me keep my OEM so that I could boot it myself. But I declined in lieu of having him do it for free