should i replace cv boots?

doing the ECGS install and wondering if i should replace boots while axle is out. truck has 110k New England miles. seems ok except for outer part past the clamp. never done it before so how hard is it?

 

Those look fine. I dont see the point if they aren't broken. Mine have nearly 200k on them, so they last a while.

As for as difficulty, it typically takes me about 2-3 hours to reboot a pair of CV's, I'm sure some can do it faster. Lots of YouTube videos on how to do it. Watch one and see if you're up to it.

 

Great idea / preventive measure. Good on you for thinking of it. No extra labor cost, only parts.

 

Boots look totally fine to me. I would take an old flat blade and pick off all the flaking powder coat to prevent salt buildup. Then apply a light coating of Fluid Film to that area. Thats what I do to mine at least.

 

Never a bad idea to be proactive replacing anything rubber based during the course of normal maintenance. I would tap loose any of that rust-crust prioe to disassembling the axle, as its easier to knock the loose stuff off before you risk contaminating the bearing surfaces (not that you shouldn't clean everything and repacl with fresh grease.

For extra peace of mind, there are aftermarket silicone cv boots (usually sold as a "high angle" cv boot that will be more chemical/corrosice resistant than the factory rubber ones.

 

Thanks for the help, I will scrape rust off and treat areas

 

look good to me!

 

The rust people are taking about, my 2005 was way worse and never had an issue. Flake it off and put some good rust proofing on it to stop/slow down further rusting.
The boots look perfect to me

 

it would take 100 years for an axle shaft to rust enough to matter......it will wear out before it rusts

 

Not bad to change now while you’re in there so you won’t have to go in again.

 

It doesn't hurt to carefully wipe the boots clean with a damp cloth, I the same wipes that I use for the interior surfaces. The dirt & grit wears on them, I do it as part of my oil change routine.