Change CV axle before upcoming offroad trip?

So one of my inner CV boots tore on the last offroad trip. No problem, expected it to happen eventually. Should have everything I need to replace the axle this weekend.

Here's the question, I'm heading offroading again in a few weeks. Should I wait until after that trip to do the swap so there's one less weekend of abuse on the new axle?

The boot is torn at the small clamp so that it's basically just loose at the small end and spitting a little grease around. I'm guessing there's probably still a coating of grease in there since the joint itself is still covered up. It's not making any noise or anything at this point.

What do you guys think? Keep the old axle for a few more weeks and let it take one more weekend of abuse, or put the new one in now because the old one might explode or something with little to no grease in there?

 

Id do it before ya go. Keep the one you pull out n put a new boot on and have a spare.

 

Are you replacing hte whole axle or just the boot?
I would replace the boot along with the grease now. If your leaking more grease than you realize you might cause the CV to fail.

 

Replacing the whole axle. Should have the new axle tomorrow and axle seal Friday.

I figured I would hear it grinding or something if it was getting close to failing. Or is that a bad assumption?

 

You will be fine I drove with a ripped boot for about three months off road on road and no issues. When i changed the CV there was still grease all over the joint and the boot was just about gone. So if you just have a little leak your fine.

 

Yeah you should hear some noise before it fails, clicking or clunking in sharp turns, etc.
If your not getting noise just replace the grease and seal and youll be fine.

 

Well I don't know about that I have a AutoZone CV in my truck and i wheel the shit out of my truck and it's still good.

 

Advance auto parts remanufactured...
Seems to be a popular choice on here with the lifetime warranty.

 

Does your autozone boot keep tearing on you? My autozone inner boot keeps splitting at the seems/top of fins...


Op, I would wheel it with the torn cv boot if the axle is not completely dry and is still greased.

 

Yeah and I'll get a free one when it does will you?

Nope mine are better then the OEM boots i have no fins touching on the AutoZone cv.

Yeah it could be the 2nd Gens, CV's are weak anyway so I'll live with the 59.00 AutoZone ones with a lifetime warranty and never have to pay for a CV again.

 

Hmmm, maybe my I'm still sitting a little too high. I'll see how that changes when I add a winch to the front soon.

Lifetime warranties are awesome, I got the lifetime alignment at firestone too so if my cv axle breaks/boot tears I get one for free and if my alignment is off after a wheeling trip I just head over to firestone and get a free alignment.

 

You experienced/seen aftermarket CV's snap frequently? I never noticed anyone bitching about them being weak or breaking in my searching on how to replace it. In fact I think I only once came across one instance of someone who actually had to use the lifetime warranty to get their autozone/advanceauto CV replaced, and I believe that was just a torn boot. Not doubting, just curious.

 

He snaps OEM CV's too

 

From what I've heard that's not uncommon for you

Get your ass to Rausch Creek and you can say "I told you so" to my face

 

So, OEM or what brand do we buy?
I'm in the same boat now...need to replace both axles :0/

 

I went to O'Reilly Auto Parts and their brand "Import Direct" are like $80 each. I'm on the fence between buying those, buying Autozone's brand, buying some from CVJ, or spending $333.12 a piece for the OEM Axles from Toyota Of Dallas.

 

I would ONLY buy the following:

• New Toyota axles
• Remanufactured Toyota axles from someplace like CVJ

The reason for this is that off-brand Toyota axles have a habit of not mating to the differential properly and end up leaking.
I had this problem with an AutoZone axle I purchased, and it slowly drained my diff. I kept thinking my skidplate was wet from the heavy rains we were experiencing. I was lucky enough to catch it before all my fluid was gone. I thought this was an isolated incident, but after reading around, it seems to be common.
Toyota remans cost significantly more than the offbrand, which sucks, but it's very much worth it. Not only for just getting the right part, but also places like CVJ won't accept off-brand axles as a core charge.

I bought the extended length CVJ boots since I noticed the fin rub, and the cost was $45 per boot + shipping. Rebooting is a pretty hefty undertaking if you have to remove the tulip, and that sucks. I managed to pound off the tulip with a cheap harbor freight chisel and a large hammer - the chisel blunted itself and the CV remained unmarred The 'correct' way is to get a brass punch, but those things are $100 or better. I like my sub-$10-one-time-use chisel

CVJ axles are something like $99 + $95 refundable core + shipping (+ extended length boots if you decide to do that)


EDIT: One other thing that people tend to forget is that having a CV snap is a GOOD thing. If you make the CV stronger, then something else has to break before it does, and that is going to be... the diff? Yeah, that sounds a bit spendier!

 

Thank you very much for the detailed reply! I was on the phone with CVJ Axles Inc. this morning and am awaiting an email from them. Hopefully their prices and quality of work are sufficient. I need to get these things ordered ASAP so I can get the truck up to par.

How long have you had your CVJ Axles with Extended Length Boots on your truck?
After having the Extended Length Boots(red silicone boots ) on your truck, do you feel it was worth the extra money for them?

So, based off the email CVJ sent me, I'm under the impression that they only put the Red Silicone Boots on the inner joints and not the ones closer to the wheel. The ones closer to the wheel are where most people have the fins touch due to angles from the lift. Those are the boots that are more prone to tear imo. What do you think?

The email they sent me states this:

"We can build a set of CVJ Remanufactured CV Axles with two days notice (we have all the parts but don't have any on the shelf). CVJ part number 9808.
Your cost is $99.00 each plus a core deposit of $95.00 each. Plus freight (UPS ground) which is about $47.00 or less for two in the US.

The core deposit of $95.00 is refunded when you return the core. These are critical cores and should be returned within 30 days for full credit.
The core must be the same original Toyota axle. Aftermarket axles cannot be rebuilt and are poor to begin with. Link: How to ID Toyota axle

These are original manufacturer axles that have been completely Remanufactured by us using some aftermarket parts and neoprene boots.
You get OEM steel and design where it counts at a much better price than new, with CVJ reliability.

The axles have a limited lifetime warranty. When used for offroad or in lifted trucks we cannot warrant the axles.


Option 1 - We also offer a red silicone boots for the Inner joints (diff side). These are $42.95 each installed on axles we build for you. (It takes two days)
Many offroaders prefer these for higher angles saying they last longer.
Each lift kit is different. These can help if your inner boots are rubbing on themselves or have longer travel. With the red boot there are a lot more convolutions (ribs) so they can be stretched out so they don't rub or don't rub as much. Also the silicone handles abrasion better than neoprene. These won't be much help with severe angles.{We have heard of a couple reports of suspension combinations that do not provide adequate clearance for this boot}. As a rule of thumb you will need an extra inch of clearance from the existing boot (radially & along the shaft). Please check the clearance before ordering. There is no warranty on these boots.

Option 2 - Original OEM Toyota plastic boots on the CV joints (wheel side) are $50.00 each installed on axles we build for you. This boot is made of Hytrel plastic which is tougher, more abrasion resistant and more chemical resistant than the Neoprene we use. Being hard plastic it does not seal as well as Neoprene.
There is no warranty on these boots. "

 

about 1 month

Yes. I can visibly see no fins touching at any point through the full range of suspension motion. I was tearing inner boots about once a year. None of my CVs actually failed, it was always just tearing boots.

I have never had the outer boots tear. I have had a 2.5" suspension lift for the past 80k miles.

 

Thanks so much for the feedback man!

Did you have CVJ slide the Outer Boots away from the tire a bit( CV Boot Slide MOD ) for you?

Also in the email CVJ sent me they stated this:

"{We have heard of a couple reports of suspension combinations that do not provide adequate clearance for this boot}. As a rule of thumb you will need an extra inch of clearance from the existing boot (radially & along the shaft). Please check the clearance before ordering. There is no warranty on these boots."

Which has me thinking that I might need to go measure my clearance from the existing boot prior to placing my order. Did you do this or did you just order away?