Boot slide mod (my experience)

So a little background: I bought my truck with a "leveling kit" installed. Wanted to make it right and decided to go with OME 887s and 5100s up front. Since I have a DCLB, I want to make sure I got the full 3". I used a 1/2" top plate spacer to even out the "Taco lean" on the drivers side as well as a 1/4" on both sides. Kept an eye on the CV boots as I knew I was in the extreme end of acceptable lift. Wasn't long before there was evidence of the ribs rubbing on the inner boots. Since this is my daily driver now, I didn't have time to do the high angle boots. So I tried the boot slide mod. I merely removed the factory clamp on the end of the boot, slid the boot down 3/8" and reclamped it. I got the hose clamps @ McMaster-Carr and they fit perfect in the boot recess. I also put a piece of tape at the end of the boot on the CV shaft. This way if the boot slid back towards its original position, I'd see it. So as of now, 3000 plus miles, some light fire trail type driving around my property and still looking pretty good. Anyone in the situation where the ribs on their CV boots are rubbing, well the high angle boots are the right way. I am in no way advocating anyone do this mod. But this might get you by in a pinch.

 

How about your inner boots? I’m noticing slight rubbing on my ‘17 Tacoma and would like to do the same ASAP! Any tips with the clamps or are they easy to unclamp/reclamp?

 

Looks like he did the inner boots based on the location of the blue tape. The clamp that is on there is a 1 time use piece...cut it off and replace with a new one.

 

Very true, I didn’t examine the pic well enough...
Ok great, thanks!

 

did you stack 2 top plate spacers one the one side?

 

Really low cars pull out the cv boot too. Simple and smart solution

 

OP, Do you have a part number for the hose clamp from McMaster Carr? Thanks!

 

Me and my CVs would like to know as well

 

I tried the slide mod and my boot tore near the clamp area within 300 miles. I may have stretched things out too far or hose clamp on to tight.
Took hose clamp off and took into dealership they replaced the axle and told them about the infamous clunk at rear end when stopping. Replaced cv and new drive shaft under my extended warranty - guess they didn't care I had installed a leveling kit.

 

I wound up just getting the Toyota clamps. Pricey at ~$27 total but wtf. At least they’re good clamps.

 

Sorry, I haven't been following my own thread. To anyone looking to do this mod, I now have driven well over 15k and the boots have not moved. For anyone wanting to do this, the Mcmaster-Carr part # is 5574k16. They come in packs of 10 and still cheaper than the stealership!

 

Ordered these two weeks back, slid boot 3/8” and clamped. Because of the original boot seating spot, it will try to slip back into place if you are not completely off it. Installed tape also to easily see any movement, so far no movement. I was also able to adjust my coilovers up a bit more with plenty of boot fin clearance.

Thanks 4DRWork !!

 

Awesome. How has this held up? Thinkin about doing this before my boots destroy themselves, the fins are wearing a groove into themselves pretty bad they are gonna go soon. And whats the best way to cut off the old clamp without damaging the boot?

 

It’s only been a week, but have about 200 miles on the boot mod, everything is good so far, no movement. Tape is my measuring stick for movement.


I used a small screw driver & pushed the large clip upwards, took a little effort, not too much. It pealed right off once the first clip was bent up. Could probably put them back on, lol.

 

Wow, thats a great idea. I'll try that, thanks!

 

Not my idea, lol. Tacoma World info in 2nd gen forums. Pics are from my vehicle today.

 

Nice. Seems most people are cutting them with tin snips or a dremel cutoff wheel, but that makes much more sense

 

Using hose clamps is a bad idea.
The extra weight of the hose clamp worm screw is enough to throw the CV joint out of balance.

 

I used the McMaster-Carr 3/8” smooth edge ones. The mod has been out a while and this clamp was used for the mod. I’ll bet most vehicle tires are more out of balance than my shaft.

Do you have any specific information on failure issues related to the usage of the clamp for this mod ?