Torn CV Boot,How far can you drive before replacement.

Hi guy's,About how far about can you drive with a just torn open front cv axle boot,a couple blocks,2 miles,etc.?

 

You can drive for a while, the problem is that now the axle is exposed to debris and moisture. Two things that will eventually cause it to fail. Replacement would be necessary at that point. I would look into OEM Toyota or CVJ's rebuilt Toyota axles for replacement.

 

It's not cost effective to clean, regrease, and replace boots, so you can drive it till it starts clunking, then install a rebuit half shaft. If you drive it a long time after it starts clunking, eventually it will fail catastrophically.

 

CV boot kit=80 bucks
New shaft=~300
I'd say it's more cost effective to replace torn cv boots.

 

Lol. I tore one at 26,000 miles. I intended to drive it till it failed. 275,000 miles later, still working fine.

 

You can get cheaper half axles; but I cannot attest to their quality yet. I purchased a new one for my 92 from BuyAutoParts for about $95.

One with a busted boot will last a long time, but also depends on your driving conditions. I drove over a year with a busted boot and it was not clicking when I replaced it, so I think it would have lasted longer.

 

I'd rather replace the boots than replace the axle with some aftermarket junk that won't last long. Most have a lifetime warranty, and you're going to need it when you have to replace them more often.

 

Nothing at all wrong with the axle itself,Its just that I noticed a very small wear spot on the boot itself that looks like it is going too open up soon,so if it does BEFORE I can get it replaced,that's why I asked here so I can see if it would be safe too drive it home from work if it tears open..Thank you for the replies guys.

 

Relax you'll be fine.. nothing is going to come flying off the truck LOL..

If it's a tiny rip rebuild with a boot kit.. or you really can just drive on it till it's trashed and then replace the whole axle..

Sometimes I would go to the trouble of re-booting only to have the axle click and make noise anyway. That's why sometimes it makes more sense to just buy a rebuilt axle and throw it in..

 

Now I don't feel so bad about driving with mine torn lol. Think I've been driving around with half of the boot missing for almost 2 years now. No noise at all.

 

Maybe give it some protection with saran wrap and some zip ties. Just to keep the dirt and water out of it in the mean time.

 

Think about how these parts work. Dirt getting in is not really the issue. Centrifugal force of the joint spinning and shedding the grease is the biggest issue. Stay out of the mud and not much dirt will get into the joint.

Tight turns while the joint is flexing is the biggest worry. If no grease is in the joint you get binding and break the joint.

Get it fixed in the next 10,000 miles and never worry about it again.

 

Rarely see actual axle failure on these trucks, boots getting ripped or torn is pretty common. It's hard to justify using a factory axle over rebuilt due to cost.

Replacing the boot is a option but replacing the axle isn't much more expensive and a hell of a lot quicker

 

Most definitely.

If you are not an active 'wheeler, there is no harm in going the after market route. As easy as it is to change out the entire assembly, wasting time changing out the boot isn't worth it.

Lots less mess as well. Changing out the boot is just a nasty, stinky job. The grease is a very sticky stuff that does not just wipe off. Yuck!

 

If you are replacing the boot yourself it is relatively cost effective to keep the original axle. Just do so before the boot truly Tears. At the point it tears and spews grease, debris will get in an wear on the axle. If you are paying someone to replace just the boot, labour costs may make it more worth your while to replace the entire axle. They come already built.

 

You can duct-tape it and drive it for a long long long while as long as the duct-tape holds . I've done that before because I was too lazy to pull the axle off my last vehicle and replace the boot.

 

Amazon sells cheap halfshafts. You'll be fine for a while. It helps undercoat the frame to prevent rust as well from all the axle grease it's spewing. 10/10 would recommend. When you feel like tearing into it, they aren't hard to replace.

 

Rock Auto sells them for something like $45. It's the same exact shaft O'Reilly's charges $72 for.

 

Don’t put in aftermarket crap


It does NOT take that much longer to just re-boot

 

My comment was NOT intended for FT crawlers and/or boggers. Yes, you will need OEM shafts or better. These particular shafts have a lifetime warranty and will do FINE for street apps and the occasional off-road.