Cv-boots

Brad Rumph · 11-29-04, 03:48 PM

After installing the OME t-bars I started to notice some some milky looking grease coming from my cv boots.The truck only has 62000 miles.What is the life expectancy of the boots?Do you think the t-bars had something to do with it? Maybe angles changing?Any suggestions?

Landpimp · 11-29-04, 04:01 PM

yup, the angles change and cause more wear. Slee has a neat new drop kit for the diff that cures that problem.

how long has it been sense you did the bars?

Brad Rumph · 11-29-04, 04:12 PM

it has only been about a week. Do you think the rubber has just become weak? I was hoping to not have to install the slee kit.What would you do?

mtycruiser · 11-29-04, 04:36 PM

If the CV boots are actually split there's only one thing you can do: Change them before damage is done to the CV joint, which will make it more expensive.
It is possible that during the t-bar installation process they move them to a greater angle and cause them to split.
Age more than miles is what makes rubber harder and drier and thus easier to split, it could've been careless handling during installation of t-bars. Talk to your mechanic about it and see if at least he gives you a break in the labor price to change them.

Landpimp · 11-29-04, 04:45 PM

what would I do, I have a Slee Drop kit on its way(as soon as its ready)

But a week shoudn't have been nearly long enough..............but maybe it was. How far did yuo crank the bars up?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brad Rumph

it has only been about a week. Do you think the rubber has just become weak? I was hoping to not have to install the slee kit.What would you do?

Brad Rumph · 11-29-04, 05:17 PM

My mechanic is working with me.The dealorship wanted 668$ and my guy is doing it for 120$ a side. We only cranked the bars up enough to level it out.I had installed a ARB bull bar and a 9000 WARN. The t-bars did the trick and it rides so nice! We also put a set of goodyear mt's(285/7516s)which worked out quite well.I will check into the drop kit from slee. thanks for all of your help.

Brad Rumph · 11-29-04, 05:23 PM

Just checked out the drop kit from slee.It looks like it will do the trick.

Landpimp · 11-29-04, 06:56 PM

you got me worried, I will have my suspension tueday and want to put it on this week, but the drop kit is not all ready to go yet.................do I be smart and wait? na........prolly not

Augie · 11-29-04, 07:53 PM

I been running the front cranked 2" with no drop kit for about 12K miles with no problem. I have cranked front torsion bar on various Toyota truck, Isuzu and Mitsubishi truck with no problem. What probably happened is Toyota stuffed too much grease into the boot and when lifted and wheel fully turned left or right it forces the grease out from the boot due to the reduced volume inside the rubber boot.

I have not heard yet somebody wear the front CV joint prematurely in Australia and they have been lifting LC since 98 with no diff lowering kit.

Does it look normal? Of course not and you only seen that normally on cars with torn CV boot. It makes me nervous the first time I saw that but I been watching for cracked or torn boot and so far so good.

Would it increase wear? Definitely. But how much? Probably not much to make a concern.

Of course I am still going to get Slee differential drop braket.

Landpimp · 11-29-04, 08:12 PM

true and I also forgot I drove my 87 4runner for 4 years with Rancho T-bars cranked up.....with no issue.............now I feel better

Quote:

Originally Posted by Augie

I been running the front cranked 2" with no drop kit for about 12K miles with no problem. I have cranked front torsion bar on various Toyota truck, Isuzu and Mitsubishi truck with no problem. What probably happened is Toyota stuffed too much grease into the boot and when lifted and wheel fully turned left or right it forces the grease out from the boot due to the reduced volume inside the rubber boot.

I have not heard yet somebody wear the front CV joint prematurely in Australia and they have been lifting LC since 98 with no diff lowering kit.

Does it look normal? Of course not and you only seen that normally on cars with torn CV boot. It makes me nervous the first time I saw that but I been watching for cracked or torn boot and so far so good.

Would it increase wear? Definitely. But how much? Probably not much to make a concern.

Of course I am still going to get Slee differential drop braket.

e9999 · 11-29-04, 10:11 PM

if they are torn, could be from stretching during Tbar installation?
E

sleeoffroad · 11-30-04, 07:53 AM

I don't see how CV boots could be damaged when installing the torsion bars. On a lift, the suspension is drooped out maximum and that is all that happens when you install the new torsion bars. If they split from being overextended to this position, then the rubber was already damaged or old (which is unlikely for the age of these trucks).

If yours started leaking within a week of changing the suspension, they were probably on their way out in any case. It might be a clamp that is letting some grease out.

You can buy a boot reseal kit. Requires removing the side shafts, disassebly, clean, regrease and install new boots.

sleeoffroad · 11-30-04, 07:53 AM

PS, the grease inside the CV's look like smooth peanut butter. Both in color and consistancy.

Do you by any chance do a lot of water crossings?

ShottsUZJ100 · 11-30-04, 09:26 AM

In my opinion, ANY lifted front end on the 100 should also receive a diff-drop kit (like Slee's). It ONLY helps and doesn't hinder. Keeping those angles as close to stock as possible is very important for the life of the boots and joints. It also saves them while off-roading because they operate at better angles with the diff drop.

My 100 has been lifted for over 65K hard miles. Mostly at 2.75-inches above stock. During all of that time there was some added seepage from the boots due to the angle. The angle also effects the clamps effectiveness to stop the seepage. At 80K miles I got lucky. My dealer put new boots on under extended warranty despite me really not needing them. (They must have been slow that week?)

Bottom line: Don't hold off. Lower your diff now.

montocr · 11-30-04, 10:48 AM

I put my tbars on about a 2 weeks ago. I too got some grease leaking out of the clamped area. I squeazed the clamp a little tighter and wiped everything off. not leaking anymore. Not much at all came out, just some light splatter. I think it is probably because the joints are allowed to spend more time at higher operating angle and forcing some grease out. Diff drop should help a bit too. My ride hieght is approximately 2.653124" above stock. Perhaps I should lower it 0.010" to 0.015".

ShottsUZJ100 · 11-30-04, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by montocr

My ride hieght is approximately 2.653124" above stock. Perhaps I should lower it 0.010" to 0.015".

Yer a gas. Luv it!

shocker · 11-30-04, 11:27 AM

Christo,

Did you install the drop bracket on the Lexus?

And, as a 'kinda-related' question, did you have the Lexus' front wheels re-aligned on the 'lifted' setting?

Brad Rumph · 11-30-04, 05:04 PM

After pulling the boots off we found no cracks or splits.It was only leaking around the clamps on both sides. We would have tried to re-band the boots but like I said there was alot of milky grease. I figured that with all of the water I have gone through that a re-packing of the grease would not be such a bad idea.Upgraded boots to so hopefully they will last quite some time.But a drop kit is still in oder.I live in the ACE BASIN in South Carolina and we have alot of dirt roads around here and alot of swamps.The ACE BASIN consist of 375000 acres of Protected land.It is very beautiful land but very hard on cars. Thanks you guys for all of your help.

ShottsUZJ100 · 11-30-04, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brad Rumph

I live in the ACE BASIN in South Carolina and we have alot of dirt roads around here and alot of swamps.The ACE BASIN consist of 375000 acres of Protected land.It is very beautiful land but very hard on cars.

I'm jealous. No water out here.

Brad Rumph · 11-30-04, 05:13 PM

If your ever this way come and visit.

Landpimp · 12-03-04, 11:00 AM

took at look at the CV boots yesterday on my 100, I don't see a way to tighten the clamps?

tabraha · 12-03-04, 03:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brad Rumph

If your ever this way come and visit.

Hey that's a short trip for me. I'm up in Newberry!

I've got a thread on here somewhere about when I got my boots replaced. I ran on them leaking for quite some time and the CV's checked out fine when I finally had the boots replaced. I believe I ran on the leaky boots for most of the winter. You know how wet the winter was here last season so they were exposed to the elements alot but still held up OK.

Tad

HDJ100L · 03-07-05, 12:00 AM

Same problem as my 100s. after the installation of the T bars. i noticed that the grease were coming out between the boot and axle. i am afraid that the grease might ran out inside the boot what i did was cut off the axle band and used the zip tie. after that it didnt come out anymore. i really need the drop kit christo.

in the couple of months i will change the axle band and clean up the boot and change new grease. by the way, can i use the CV-2 GREASE FROM REDLINE for the axle ?

thank you for your help

SINCITY100 · 03-07-05, 12:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ShottsUZJ100

In my opinion, ANY lifted front end on the 100 should also receive a diff-drop kit (like Slee's). It ONLY helps and doesn't hinder. Keeping those angles as close to stock as possible is very important for the life of the boots and joints. It also saves them while off-roading because they operate at better angles with the diff drop.

Bottom line: Don't hold off. Lower your diff now.

Once again...the best advice in this thread...

As SOON as I installed my OME kit (front lift 2 1/4")..the boots started seeping..and as SOON as I installed the slee diff drop (1 week later) the boots STOPPED seeping...I steam cleaned the mess off the fender liners and A-arms, and 5,000 miles later , and might I mention VERY hard miles..no indication of a leak on the boots...BTW...@ 85,000 miles my original boots are still in perfect condition..this is with 120+ degree summers and well below freezing winters w/hard use + numerous stream crossings and flash flood waters...maybe I am lucky.....

HDJ100L · 03-08-05, 03:24 AM

Brad, Your Situation Is Same As Mine. The Problem Was The Axle Band Went Loose. Due To The Cranking Too Much Of The Torsion Bar. Crank It Down And Put The Diff Drop Kit. In The Meantime Cut The Axle Band A Use A Zip Tie Before Your Grease Dry Up.

spressomon · 03-08-05, 09:18 AM

Amsoil makes a good water resistent syn grease that is supposed to be great for wheel bearings, etc: It's just labeled their "Water resistent syn/lithium grease...blue in color.

DMX84 · 03-08-05, 11:09 AM

Zip tie? Has anyone had good luck with a zip tie on the CV boots? Seems unlikely to me, maybe if it were an emergency or something.
I would recommend going to a suspension shop or a driveline place that works on CV joints and have them put a new one on.
IMO a zip tie won’t work.
Dean

HDJ100L · 03-10-05, 08:46 AM

dmx84, the zip tie works for me. i am just waiting for my axle band to be available in the dealer. you dont have to worry about it.

spressomon · 03-10-05, 08:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brad Rumph

My mechanic is working with me.The dealorship wanted 668$ and my guy is doing it for 120$ a side. We only cranked the bars up enough to level it out.I had installed a ARB bull bar and a 9000 WARN. The t-bars did the trick and it rides so nice! We also put a set of goodyear mt's(285/7516s)which worked out quite well.I will check into the drop kit from slee. thanks for all of your help.

Brad: Your set-up is basically what I am going to do to my '99. What shocks did you use? What rear springs did you use? Are you using the stock rear bumper or? Do you have any pics of your LC with mods?

Tinkerer · 01-12-06, 05:10 AM

FWIW, my inner CV boots started leaking at somewhere around 60k +.

Apparently the band clamps were barely tight enough from the factory to prevent leakage, and eventually allowed slight leakage to start occurring.

I replaced with the same type stainless steel clamps. (Had to buy a $20 special clamp-tightening tool made just for those special clamps.)

The nylon tie should also work, but nylon may be affected by environment, may become brittle over time if exposed to outdoors conditions. (As in, a vehicle underbody area.)

So, your boot leakage may be unrelated to any lift kits etc. - may just be a Toyota factory issue.