CV axle boot torn with 3” suspension lift

When I purchased my 98 3.4l Taco back in April, I noticed one of the CV boots was torn. Went ahead and replaced both axels. Fast forward to last weekend, and one is torn again and now making some wild noises. I understand the 3” Lift that came with the truck can cause an extreme angle on the CV’s and will cause premature wear. My question…

Would adding body armor (tube front bumper and winch) to the front of my vehicle make the wear and tear on the IFS less premature? Wondering if the weight would help or if it could cause more damage? Any help and advice is greatly appreciated. Cheers!

 

Where is that Timmy the Toyotaman video on the boot replacement/boot stretch

 

Adding weight should lower the front, so it will help your CV angles...

But the best solution would probably be less lift. You could also install a diff drop kit, which may or may not work with whatever skid you're using. High angle CV boots could help.

 

Don't you already have another thread on this?

Sure, adding a heavy front bumper on your rig might decrease your ride height, but it's also going to give you worse mileage and wear out your springs faster.

What kind of lift do you have? It would be better to address the actual issue, and not add something you don't need.

 

Thanks for the responses, everybody!!

The lift is the Old Man EMU lift. That’s all I really know. 3” suspension. I bought the truck already lifted.. To be fair, I was already planning on adding a front winch bumper. I just need to know this vehicle is gonna be worth all the extra $$ before I invest in armor.

and I’m sure there are other threads about this…I’ve been researching all day. Just thought it would be smart to start a more up to date one with My current specs. Thanks again — ALL of you!

 

If it's an OME kit that has achieved 3" of lift on a double cab, I suspect you have 883 coils.

If you're planning on adding armor, bumper and winch, stay with the 883 coils.

If you're only adding that stuff to resolve issues with your CV angles, swap out the 883 coils for 881 coils and consider adding a diff drop kit. New coils would definitely be cheaper than what you're planning.

 

cool - can we argue about diff drops? That would be thread # 582 on the topic

 

Did you...completely skip the information I shared with you (and others as well) in your first thread?

You have too much lift; your cv axles are maxed out, as well as your boots.

You will tear boots even with OEM cv axles (which are far better).

Identify your complete suspension, and look to replace/remove whatever needs to be done to lower your height.

Yes adding weight will lower your vehicle, but how long until you actually do that?

Why not look at the coils you're running now and utilize tbe appropriate coil? Lessen preload (if you're running adjustable coilovers), and/or remove spacers if you have one in play.

You receive sound advice, ignore it and start another thread. We're only trying to help you.

 

No…I did not completely skip the information you and others have givin me. I’m simply asking around for Everybody’s opinion / experience. Not just your own…but thanks!

Did you skip over the portion where I said this is all very new to me? I’m reading conflicting things all over the place, thus trying to do my due diligence to absorb as much info on the matter as possible, before I go to my mechanic and ask him in person with the info I have gathered on here. I appreciate the info. I really do. My first thread was primarily asking about people’s experience with Les Schwab warranties. Now I’m asking about people’s experience with adding armor to counter the angle… I don’t see the problem with that?

Thanks to all who have chimed in. I’m just trying to learn as much as I can.

 

Some will recommend it, and run them, others don't.

It becomes personal preference really.

I don't run one, even at 2.25" of lift, because I believe the spacer is too small to make a difference based on the length of the cv axle where it matters.

Yes, the outer end of the cv axle will look the worst, but it's the inner boots that fail.

Here's my small lift -

 

Yes, armor will lower your vehicle's height, but at the expense of added wear and tear to your vehicle overall. Even then, it'd take a winch and bumper to really start making a difference.

My 52lb skid plate didn't even lower my ride height at all.

What coils are you running?

The most cost effective way to remedy this first step is to install the appropriate coil.

Does your vehicle ride very stiff?

 

I was curious about the diff drop kit… read conflicting things on that as well. Some say it’s helpful (up to an inch lower in angle), others say don’t even bother.. How would I figure out which coils it’s running? I’ll include some photos in just a sec (en route home from work, in my other vehicle).

yes…it does run stiff. Also, was hoping to upgrade to 33”s for tires.. is that even gonna work with my setup I wonder?

PS wasnt try to be a dick with my last comment. I can’t possibly emphasize enough how much I appreciate any and all feedback/advice. This forum has proved incredibly helpful for me in the past. Just trying to navigate this..

 

It's text on a screen; a lot of us don't take anything at all personally don't worry.

With that said, get home, get a flash light, and look for markings on your coils.

Most manufacturers will list spring rate IE 550/600/650 and some other number (sometimes depicting length or part number).

Whatever you find, post any and all details and we can help identify what you're running.

Pictures of the coilover bucket (where the 3 bolts attach to your coilover) will help too, to eliminate the possibility of a spacer or not.

 

As for running 33s, you will rub.

Depending on how wide or narrow of a tire you run, will determine how soon.

A lot of people run skinnies (me included) to easily fit a larger tire like 33s.

I run a 4Runner so I have a different experience however others like @eon_blue run the same 255/85/16 and he had to hammer the pinch weld to alleviate rubbing.

If you look up pinch weld mod you'll find the part that sticks out from the firewall towards the tire; it gets snipped and hammered down for added clearance

 

yeah to run 33s on a Tacoma you will most likely need to trim the pinch weld back. Less so if you are able to max out your caster and push the wheel forward, but that depends on your suspension setup. And some trimming will probably still be needed

just be thankful we don't have to do cab mount chops like the 2nd/3rd gens do to run 33s

don't waste time or money on a diff drop, it doesn't drop anything it just tilts the diff downward a bit. Does next to nothing for cv angles.

 

Running 33" BFGs with 3" lift. Slightly rubbing at full steering wheel input on the frame. No diff drop.

 

alignment, wheel spacing and to some degree lift will determine rubbing with larger tires. Also tires are all different sizes across brands even if they are the "same" size. So it's a little different for everyone.

a lift won't help with running larger tires if you do any off-roading, it only helps at ride height. When the suspension articulates off-road they'll still rub.

 

You all rule so hard!!! THANK YOU. This is all incredibly helpful information.

I wasn’t able to find MUCH in the way of markings / specs on the coils that I personally could see…except the one I zoomed in on. Maybe someone can make sense of what is in these photos? Endless thanks to you all! Side photo of truck included just for visual reference..

 

The white label on the coils; what's it say?

880, 881, 883?

That front end is as high as Snoop Dogg

 

the shock won't reveal what the coil rating is, like Kwikvette said above it will be tagged on the coil...hopefully its still legible.

Pretty clear in one of those photos that those boot fins are smushed together so it's just a matter of time before they rub apart, as a general rule you want to be able to slide a piece of paper between the fins. If you can't then the constant rotating of the CVs while driving will cause them to leak in no time

The inner boots tend to rub as well