CV Axle Replace or Reboot-Need Opinion

Hey All-

I had my truck up on a lift and noticed by boots are torn on both sides.

Theres a lot of great info on here to replace the boot or entire axle and I feel comfortable doing either job.

However, I'm not sure if my boots are too compromised to be able to reboot or should I just get the new axle? The truck is currently at 170K and I really don't beat on it and use it for camping in the summer.

Any info would be appreciated.

 

Get em out and take a look at the internals...bet theyre fine.

Id reboot.

 

Reboot. The OEM boot kit from Toyota isn't too expensive.

Just make sure you have the correct snap ring and boot clamp pliers, it makes the job a breeze.

 

Awesome, thanks for the feedback.

 

It’s either clicking or it’s not.

a boot kit is like $20. An axle is not.

 

What are they?a lot of options out there

 

OP, this ^^^. And get ready for the world's largest mess. Don't ya just love moly grease? Well don't ya?

EDIT: the inboard joint takes some other brownish grease but that comes with the kit supplied by Toy. But it is not any less messy IMHO.

 

This is one:

$10 SPEEDWOX 9" Angle Tip Lock Ring Pliers for Transmission, Special Circlip Plier with Hole Angle Tip Retaining Ring Pliers Flat Nose Retaining Ring Pliers with Black Oxide Finish Ring Opening

https://www.amazon.com/SPEEDWOX-Transmission-Special-Circlip-Retaining/dp/B09QKJYNRZ?content-id=amzn1.sym.27b41115-b206-47c3-8621-713097e8442c%3Aamzn1.sym.27b41115-b206-47c3-8621-713097e8442c&crid=2A3YBP4K1SXG3&cv_ct_cx=internal+snap+ring+pliers&keywords=internal+snap+ring+pliers&pd_rd_i=B09QKJYNRZ&pd_rd_r=8e59dff6-f239-4c33-96db-d36505b16ceb&pd_rd_w=mFoFD&pd_rd_wg=EYEai&pf_rd_p=27b41115-b206-47c3-8621-713097e8442c&pf_rd_r=M5WYSVC43PAB9M09N9QY&qid=1734596229&sbo=RZvfv%2F%2FHxDF+O5021pAnSA%3D%3D&sprefix=internal+snap+ring+pliers%2Caps%2C123&sr=1-4-6024b2a3-78e4-4fed-8fed-e1613be3bcce-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9zZWFyY2hfdGhlbWF0aWM&th=1

and the other:

$22 ReluxGo CV Boot Clamp Pliers, Single Ear Hose Drive Shaft CV Axle Boot Clamp Removal and Installation Tool Compatible with Toyota Lexus etc OEM 09521-24010

https://www.amazon.com/ReluxGo-Removal-Installation-Compatible-09521-24010/dp/B0BTYHQQZ3?crid=2RVXLTD1ZO826&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.lR7uglQCD3qeTOTY7svRXxRKCnSrMwDEI7G3i5qAws0MYeCuDz3CTan5_-GYnHaA8vt5J5UZd3ZxhIUppDL3J_GR2iNoKHmGOxTDgZAnDZ2JSU1JrlLrLHpIN4gshImQAjUUNq1CfD-VvyBKyeAl-Snm7k56176c7kuMh4JKbFNalG-6Y8M78T4lc1oyJdAd2XvtbAkH_tnWoY_dLoxatxcJQYsUR2tBlOpgWjIqEL8C0kzkYiPh2dzmSw1Ih7dNHf_cTI3bc1JJXTLSS137jVFiASiHLJm1d7bimP5vOiw.UeRbtXDSXaDYWRBz9TXVm3L0OAOPjzOAmtodIXmruHs&dib_tag=se&keywords=toyota+boot+clamp+tool&qid=1734596282&s=hi&sprefix=toyota+boot+clamp+tool%2Ctools%2C111&sr=1-1-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&th=1

then you'll need something to mark the joints so they go back on the shaft in the correct orientation:

$8 Overseas Permanent Paint Markers Pens - 3 Pack White Oil Based Paint Pens, Medium Tip, Quick Drying and Waterproof Marker Pen for Metal, Rock, Wood, Fabric, Plastic, Canvas, Mugs, Stone, Glass

https://www.amazon.com/Permanent-Pa...1-1-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&th=1

one last thing, a brass hammer and punch

 

I'm handy and cheap... but by no means a mechanic, and I took the rebooting OEM on. Youtube and I did just fine... first side took couple of hours and the next 45min. I used a crowbar from the center prying only outward toward the tire, it you go the other way you can damage the seal.

 

I would reboot as well. It's messy but not difficult. Buy a cheap CV band clamp tool and an OE boot kit. I understand why repair shops use the reman'd CV axle assemblies, but I've only used them once and got scored seal surfaces at the transmission, and one of the axles almost immediately pulled out of the transmission on a turn from the oversized balls that they added to take up the wear from someone driving for a year with cracked boots. Those ended up fine, but it was a PITA.

If you've been driving it for years like that and the joints are shot, then maybe a reman axle would be a good idea. Otherwise, I like new boots.

 

I'm driving to the dealership right now to pick up some reboots. I dunno why I feel so damn nervous right now to do this job. I'm not a mechanic but I've done the wheel bearing hubs and alternator on my taco, I feel like Id build some confidence at this point.
Will this be my most difficult solo job?

 

Nahh, but for the the most difficult part is always getting the CVs out and then back in. I have always had good luck renting a slide hammer, and then band-clamping it around the CV to 'hammer' it out. When putting it back in, if you have to tap it in, use a piece of wood or somthing, dont just beat on the axle, as it can deform it.

 

The Car Car Nut has a CV axle re-booting video on a Sienna. The re-booting process once the axle is out is the same for Tacomas.
- The spider on the inboard end of the axle shaft can be very tight. AMD needed an air hammer to knock his off the shaft. Another user on TW recently reported the same problem.
- The seal on the outboard CV joint that mates with the knuckle may be bent/broken. That's a $50 OEM-only seal.
- If you're lifted over 2", do the boot-slide mod while you're at it.

 

I did have alittle trouble getting the cv axle out and back in. I got a loaner cv axle puller at AutoZone that helped alot to get the axle out. For putting it back in, i had trouble getting the spines to go in passed the clip, but once I knew the clip was the only thing I needed to get passed, I focused on short pushing jerking motion while keeping the axle straight and aligned in my hands.
Definitely not something easy to explain, wish I found a full length video that showed the trickyness for this step.

Dude for me the hardest part was actually the metal band that goes around the larger hole of the inner cv boot. I didn't get the memo or a video that mentioned the last metal band doesn't have ears to crimp like the other bands! That would have been a really good detail to be prepared for. I think I spent about an hour of cussing, thinking, and trying all my tools in my garage to close this metal band

I think there is a pliers like tool out there that could be used solely for this band, but in the moment when I discovered this challenge my final resort was the corners of my vise grip in one hand and lining the Hooks with holes of band in the other hand.


Sheesh almost made me give up and pay my old mechanic to finish reassembling the boot lol.

And I watched that video so many times before doing this job! And other videos, but I don't remember anyone mentioning the metal band around the largest hole of the inner boot didn't have ears to crimp! Was this a new update? I thought I saw all the bands for the boot were ear crimp style, but maybe I missed the detail that they are not.

For the tripod bearing I used a brass drift punch set and a multipurpose vise from harbor freight (only 65$). Such a good tool, my strike was accurate and didn't require big hammer swings and the metal of the bearing didn't get marred.

I checked my seals and they looked in good condition thankfully


And with all that said, this cv axle rebuild and replacement has been my most difficult job to date. I would place this job difficulty as one step higher from an axle bearing hub replacement and maybe easier than air conditioning? Lmao I dunno if anyone else feels same way.

 

Yeah that’s the clamp style Toyota uses for some reason
Lots of people just put a standard ear clamp on instead

 

I would've just used a stainless steel zip tie lol. Years ago, I bought a pack on Amz for cheap for trail repairs.

 

Yeah I cant remember if I used that one that came with it or not. If I did, Maybe I blocked it out of my memory from the PTSD of it.

I think I might have gotten some at the local NAPA, that have the little ears the CV band clamp crimp-pliers attach to, and used them.

 

Did they work well for you? I'm not on the t trail at all but I'm preparing for beach driving. Not sure if I have to worry about my boot skipping off, but if it did I'm imagining it would already be infiltrated with sand anyway I could just drive home and do the repair anyway

I can definitely say that I was stressing alot when I slipped on that earless band clamp and realized that a crucial detail was left out from my research.
But now that I know a solid vise grip that can be wielded with one hand and my bench vise can do the trick, I think I'm ready to turn this 6hr job as a first timer (driver side) into 2.5 hrs next time (passenger side)

.... But now that I think about I might be better off with the ear band clamp because the passenger side axle is in a bearing in bracket... I will remove the band clamp of the boot while the cv axle is still connected, and seperate the axle from the cup to do the reboot...And it will be easier for me to crimp ear band clamps than to use the oem earless band clamp and vise grips while I'm underneath the truck. Just when I thought this wouldnt get more difficult...

 

To be clear, I already carry the metal zip ties for general repairs around the vehicle. In all likelihood the CV boot won't pop off on the trail. Rather, it'll tear or get punctured by a branch.

 

Clamping tool for inner boot large clamp.Your gonna need it next time....and there will be a next time! HF push pin pliers modified with two 1/4"x1"x 11" long steel bars. Tack weld on with bars positioned 6" apart. Grind tips to point.