replacing CV boots.

Looking for some advice on replacing all my cv boots. I just found a leak on my drivers side. I am at 105K with a three inch lift. The rest are starting to dry rot. Parts are cheap and the dealer is not so I figured I would give it a go. I have a few questions as I have never done this.

Is there a aftermarket boot that is better than OEM and do you have a link.

Is the only way to replace them to tear everything and the cv axel off

Any tips??

I could not find a how to on this on tacoma world so your help is apprectiated

 

Since you are in Colorado, I'd swing by CVJ and get your axle fitted with one of their high angle boots. If you're nice to them, they'll swap boot for you and charge you very little money.

http://cvjreman.com/offroad.php

 

Im in louisana now....sadly. any install write ups or input?

 

I second that, very happy with mine. You can order a whole new set of CVs from them as well, rebuilt OEMs.

 

does anyone have a link to a write up for install

 

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd-gen-tacomas/266309-cv-axle-replacement-express-method.html

 

looking for a practical how to so I can figure out how to do it

 

This is on the first gen form, not sure if it would work but it will keep from blowing CV boots.
http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/1st-gen-tacomas/146070-boot-slide-mod-no-more-blowing-cv-boots.html
You just take the old clamp off slide the boot down some and reclamp using a hose clamp.

 

Why is everyone replacing the whole shaft. its 5 times more expensive

 

I think its just for the sake of reassurance, thats what i'm probably going to do considering the boots on mine have been torn for a while now. Since you have to take the whole axle out to replace the boot anyways i figured it'd be worth just throwing some new CV's in.

 

I had 140K on mine and they were were starting to click, in addition to leaking all over, so I just went with the whole package. As mentioned, good insurance.

 

Gottcha on that but the OEM axel is 350 plus dollars. If a boot goes how long till the axel goes and are the 100 buck aftermarket ones any good

 

j83soldier, did you do this? I just got my boots in today and am doing it this weekend. I found some nice write-ups on the internet and a few videos on you tube for cv axles in general. I was wandering the same thing though…why would you spend big $$ to replace a $30 part if nothing is wrong with the axle??? I can understand if it is clicking etc…but to shell out $300+…??? I found the same reviews you found, everyone suggesting to just replace with OEM. But why? It is an extra 45min to replace the boots, new grease and big savings. Just confused on that one.

 

This is what I did. I had 120k on the originals, blown boots though and grease everywhere, clicks pops and thunks.

CVJ was awesome and very fast. Got the Hugh angle boots. The write up here is very comprehensive. I changed them on my own in 5 hrs. I still have the old axles. I'm debating holding on to them, have them rebuilt, and keep for spares. But given that it took ten years and 120k to need new ones it may not be worth hanging on to. I may get my core charge back. Worked out to be 130/side I believe with high angle boots.

 

I've seen c/v boots that have a seam so that you can put them on the axle without removing it. You cut the old boot off, put the new one around the axle, glue it with supplied adhesive. The seam snaps together like tongue in groove flooring. Wait for glue to dry, put grease in it, slide into place and clamp. It's easy enough to just take the axles out of these trucks to replace them with a normal boot though.