Inside CV leaking

[bulldog]

Busy with some winter maintenance on the 4R. Took off all the skids to clean, sand and paint them. Then I found my passenger side CV is leaking on the inside CV on the axle it self. Just seaping a little grease, but will definitely need some attention. It looks like the clamp is a little loose so I might just change the clamp, the boot stil looks fine.

Or I might look into getting a whole new axle with CVs and then have the boot replaced on this one and regreased. This way I will have a spare. Now I need to see what the prices are for a new axle. One thing I hate is CV grease though so I don't feel like replacing the boot myself.

So just an FYI for those of you with lifted 4Rs, check your CV boots from time to time. IF it leaks without you noticing the CV will eventually run dry.

[Cruiserhead]

seeping off how much? If the boot is not torn, it maybe just simply packing a bit of grease and tightening the strap. I wouldn't mess w/ it. The inner boots get a bit 'wet' looking and that seems to be normal as I've seen it on several stock 4R's.

[r0cky]

Well, can't help on this matter but to wish you luck. Now, if you have to replace the inner axle seal ... let me know ... been there done that!

[bulldog]

It is more than the wet look so to say. It is loosing a bit of grease with tiny splatter on the A-Arm. Normally just a replacement of the clamp should do the trick. But it gives me a good excuse to get a complete spare axle for a trail spare :D

Will look for some part prices for the whole axle assembly. Will be fun to swap the axle out though :rolleyes: . Good practice for a trail repair.

[bulldog]

Seems like it was just the clamp not gripping properly anymore. I removed the old clamp and replaced it with a cable tie after cleaning up the area a bit. I could slide the boot inward and clean the ridge on the axle, but I couldn't clean the inside of the boot. I will see if it still leaks as the cable tie still wasn't as tight as I would have liked it.

Hopefully it will be OK or last long enough so I can get a replacemnt and fix this axle up for a spare.

[trd2001]

On my old Tacoma, I just used Hose Clamps. The ones that Toyota has on the boots kept comming off. A good hose clamp works just as good. :)

[bulldog]

Good idea. I might explore that option, but would prefer the OEM clamps to be fitted. The thing is that the inner CV boot uses thinner clamps than the outer. SO finding a thin hose clamp might be interesting.

[Joel]

It is more than the wet look so to say. It is loosing a bit of grease with tiny splatter on the A-Arm.

any pictures?

[bulldog]

any pictures?
Nope I was too lazy to get the camera to take a pic. I will take a pic if it leaks a gain. Wasn't a serious leak just could see it gum up and some little grease splatter on the suspension. Normally when boots get a serious leak it throws grease all over the place and covers the arms in grease.

[Cruiserhead]

Good idea. I might explore that option, but would prefer the OEM clamps to be fitted. The thing is that the inner CV boot uses thinner clamps than the outer. SO finding a thin hose clamp might be interesting.

Dont know how thin you need it but they do sell metal "zip ties". That might work for you too

[bulldog]

Well I had my 50k service done at the dealer. They had to order the boot kit (guess not many people have this issue, which might be a good thing). Today I took it back and they replaced the both CV boots on the passenger axle, inner and outer. Hopefully my issue is now solved. Kinda nice to get a proper job done, will inspect over time to make sure it doesn't leak anymore.

Best part is that it was covered under the 60k drivetrain warranty. So it cost me $0 to have both boots replaced and greased.

[bulldog]

Looks like they did a good job, will see if it all holds up.

Here is a pic of the new boots installed.

http://www.ezdries.net/Vidpics/temp/NewCVbootsweb.jpg

[r0cky]

Nice and new looking!

Also, I can see remnants of the yellow paint from the OME shocks. Are they out in this picture for replacing them with the Hoes? (that feels weird to type)

[bulldog]

Yep I took the pic when I was installing my Hoes.

Nothing wrong with typing Hoes :rotflmao: (They are made to be ridden hard ;) )

Oh and there is only a little paint, the rest is just sand and mud, etc. Can't evr seem to get the undercarraige clean anymore. It is very irretating when working on it.

[Untamed]

Any questions from the dealer concerning warranty work and the lift?
Also, why did you change from ome?

[bulldog]

No the dealer service department was cool about it. I have had my 4R serviced there since I bought it. The service writer is pretty cool, always checking out my new mods, etc. The service writer is normally the person who can make these calls in the first line adn if you know them well there are no issues.

I wanted to try a different setup than the OME to experiment with. Especially since I want to add a front bumper/winch in the future. Adjustable coilovers allow you to change for additional weight without going though the whole drama of swapping out springs, etc. Besides I wanted to see what it was all about with Donahoe's coikovers. SO far I'm very impressed, but they are pricey. I think on the front you will have to go a long way to beat OME in terms of price/performance, but they simply can't ompare to coilovers 3 times the price.

[sibanez]

I'm having the same issue and was curious how you removed the old clamp without damaging the boot? Seems like a delicate job!

Thanks.

Seems like it was just the clamp not gripping properly anymore. I removed the old clamp and replaced it with a cable tie after cleaning up the area a bit. I could slide the boot inward and clean the ridge on the axle, but I couldn't clean the inside of the boot. I will see if it still leaks as the cable tie still wasn't as tight as I would have liked it.

Hopefully it will be OK or last long enough so I can get a replacemnt and fix this axle up for a spare.

[AZRocks]

Just installed DR coilovers, and the CV boots are spraying grease around. Must be the increased angle of the dangle causing the leak. Will try cinching a pull tie over the boot clamp.

[bulldog]

I'm having the same issue and was curious how you removed the old clamp without damaging the boot? Seems like a delicate job!

Thanks.

Dealer did mine and replaced the boots. Teh metal clamps have fold over pices that you nned to loosen with a scredriver. No issue removing the old clamps, but fitting the new ones you need a special tool to clamp them down properly.

Just installed DR coilovers, and the CV boots are spraying grease around. Must be the increased angle of the dangle causing the leak. Will try cinching a pull tie over the boot clamp.

Lots of folsk running lifts without an issue, but the angle will increase the probability of a leak. I think I just played too much with my front end suspension adn the clamsp gave out. Driver side is still fine after almost 70k miles.

[expat]

Well add another to the list of a leaking CV boot...grrrr.

Hope the dealer will cover it under my warranty.

[sibanez]

I spent all of twenty minutes today fixing mine . . . removed the OEM clamps using a screwdriver and pick, cleaned the axle, squirted a ton of grease inside the boot and then sealed it back up using a metal pull strap of near-equal width. Went for a 100 mile drive, checked for leaking, and found nothing.

I also lowered my car by a quarter inch on each side, measures 37 1/4 now instead of 37 1/2 . . hope it helps.

[bulldog]

I spent all of twenty minutes today fixing mine . . . removed the OEM clamps using a screwdriver and pick, cleaned the axle, squirted a ton of grease inside the boot and then sealed it back up using a metal pull strap of near-equal width. Went for a 100 mile drive, checked for leaking, and found nothing.

I also lowered my car by a quarter inch on each side, measures 37 1/4 now instead of 37 1/2 . . hope it helps.

Did you use a CV clamp and special tool or some other type of clamp?

The CV angles are good, even with 3.5" of lift. I think it is just the stresses of extending the arms when installing the suspension that is the main issue.

Anyway let us know how the clamp holds up. Might be an easy fix for other folsk in the future.

[97kurt]

You guys might want to contact Kartek, they might have some aftermarket boots that will hold up to the higher angles.

[Duc Hunter]

My passenger side is leaking too. :( I ran hose clamps on all 8 of my CV's on my Galant Rallye Car, and they held up fine. May be time to have the deals do the swap, then replace the crappy OEM clamps with hose clamps. :)

[sibanez]

Hose clamps are tricky . . . never 100 percent trusted them for CV joints, but give them a try.

For my fix, I used a set of Snap-On boot pliers . . . they are roughly $30 and do a great job. You can get a set of cheaper boot pliers at your local auto store that will also do the job, but having the right tool is the only way you are going to get it tight enough.

One other option is using safety wire . . . that's what I put my lower-ball joint dust jacket on with (the replacement wiring is worthless) and that's held up better than fine for a while. I'd put more faith in that that just about anything besides a metal strap.

I'll try to do a write-up sometimes soon with pics, since I'm going to take care of a friend's FJ that is having the same issues.

[Bluto]

I have a small leak. I inspected everything when I changed my oil this weekend. Passenger side, inner boot, small clamp has some grease. I cleaned it and will see how fast it is leaking. If I get a pair of boot pliers, what type of grease should I put in the CV before re-clamping? I may give the dealer a try. I need a rotation and balance anyway.

[bulldog]

I have a small leak. I inspected everything when I changed my oil this weekend. Passenger side, inner boot, small clamp has some grease. I cleaned it and will see how fast it is leaking. If I get a pair of boot pliers, what type of grease should I put in the CV before re-clamping? I may give the dealer a try. I need a rotation and balance anyway.


If it only leaked minimally, you wouldn't need to add any new grease unless you believe it got contaminated with water/mud/dirt. In that case you will need to remove the inner (tripod) and boot. Tehn clean it out and regrease. Grease should just be normal CV joint grease, which you can get at any auto store.

I would say just get the clamp and tool to clamp it down. Remove the old clamp, clean things out around the boto and where it seals, then clamp down with the new clamp. No need to take the CV off the 4Runner.

[sibanez]

I have a small leak. I inspected everything when I changed my oil this weekend. Passenger side, inner boot, small clamp has some grease. I cleaned it and will see how fast it is leaking. If I get a pair of boot pliers, what type of grease should I put in the CV before re-clamping? I may give the dealer a try. I need a rotation and balance anyway.


The dealer is good place to start, depending on how much they want to keep your business, they should be pretty open to repairing it. Of course, I have a nervous twitch about shops in general, so I did it myself.

As for grease, different people will tell you different things, but generally any grease that says it is OK with CV joints will work. You can buy what they call CV grease at your local AutoZone or Advance, something like .50 cents for a big bag that will make your hands stink for days.

BTW, you can buy an inner-boot kit from Toyota for $20 . . . . I ordered an inner and an outer for field spares, since I didn't really want to put down $300 for a complete axle.

[Bluto]

Do you have a part number for the boot kit? Is it a split boot kit? I'm going to the dealer this afternoon to see a service advisor. Thanks.

[expat]

Mines in for inspection at this moment. The charge is $90 just for the inspection. I hope this will be covered under my 7yr extended warranty!

Will post up results when I get the call. (I can feel my wallet calling "ouch" already!)

[sibanez]

$90? It'd take a beer for most folks.

Quick update . . . since I'm doing more stupid stuff with my truck now than ever, I purchased a used CV axle from http://www.car-part.com/cgi-bin/search.cgi for $150. They say it is in great shape so we'll see, but I figured it'd be easier to replace the entire axle in the field than the boot.

Mines in for inspection at this moment. The charge is $90 just for the inspection. I hope this will be covered under my 7yr extended warranty!

Will post up results when I get the call. (I can feel my wallet calling "ouch" already!)

[bulldog]

Do you have a part number for the boot kit? Is it a split boot kit? I'm going to the dealer this afternoon to see a service advisor. Thanks.

I dunno if I would put a split boot on a 4Runner. Might work on cars, but with the travel and stresses on the 4Runner CVs it will be very hard pressed.


Mark, good luck. Just push the issue a bit with them in regards to warranty. They sold you an extended warranty by the sounds of it. SO it gives you a bit of an angle to work with.


Sibanez, sounds like a good find. I believe that is less than half of what a new CV axle assembly would be from the dealer.

[expat]

Well my service guy was great. No problem getting it repacked and a new clip fixed under warranty and no charge. Happy days!

[my034runner]

Well my service guy was great. No problem getting it repacked and a new clip fixed under warranty and no charge. Happy days!



Cool, happy days!! I'm glad you ran into a decent Service writer. :bigok:

[bulldog]

Well my service guy was great. No problem getting it repacked and a new clip fixed under warranty and no charge. Happy days!

That is always good to hear!!

Normally service guys are more likely to help customers that service their vehicles with them, not just bring them in for warranty work. Shouldn't be that way, but it seems to be.

[Tucson T4R]

Me too! :iagree

I had my 4Runner infor it's 40K service today and I asked them to fix the leaking inner boot seals on the CV joint boots. They had to make slight comment about my 3" lift but in the end they agreed to fix it. :D

What they did on mine was just clean it up and tighten the boot clamp. They think that will fix the problem. I'll keep an eye on it and let ya know.:cool1:

[Untamed]

I had mine replaced last week at 70K miles. It was mainly the passenger side but I went ahead and had them do both sides while they were in there. Question for those of you who have had them replaced: It looks like they used plastic zip ties on the inside boot, end closest to the differential. They are plastic clamps vs. the metal bands on the rest of the ends. Is this correct?
The guy doing it told me he has done this twice on a tundra that had a lift and said he would probably being seeing me again. Not sure how the lift is making them leak?

[bulldog]

I had mine replaced last week at 70K miles. It was mainly the passenger side but I went ahead and had them do both sides while they were in there. Question for those of you who have had them replaced: It looks like they used plastic zip ties on the inside boot, end closest to the differential. They are plastic clamps vs. the metal bands on the rest of the ends. Is this correct?
The guy doing it told me he has done this twice on a tundra that had a lift and said he would probably being seeing me again. Not sure how the lift is making them leak?

They used the metal bands on mine when they replaced the boots. I don't think zip ties are the best thing to use as they can't clamp it down as well as the metal bands. The metal bands have a special tool than crimps them.

The older toyota trucks tended to have mor eof an issue than the new ones with boots, simply because the older ones came higher out of the factory. Thus if you lifted them there was a lot more stress on the CVs. The new 4R, etc came lower form the factory adn the CV axle angle is a lot better at 3" of lift.

If they do a good job, it is unlikely that you will need it fixed soon. Maybe cause the guy uses zip ties, he run into problems down the line. I have seen zip tie like plastic bands used on cars, but they have far les frotn travel to deal with.

[Untamed]

They used the metal bands on the axle part, where the leak was....but on the high side (wider part of the boot) they used plastic bands. Supposedly this is what came with the kit.

[bulldog]

They used the metal bands on the axle part, where the leak was....but on the high side (wider part of the boot) they used plastic bands. Supposedly this is what came with the kit.

Last I remember mine was metal on both sides. Maybe they changed the kits fromn the factory now.