2005 GX470 - Torn inner CV boot - hard to fix??

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

D

danmm7

10 Year
Joined
Aug 11, 2012
Threads
11
Messages
48
Hello All!

I just bought a 2005 GX470 with 107k miles. The truck is in great condition, very well maintained, lots of service records. Previous owner did not skip any of the recommended items when it came to service, including T-belt, water pump, etc.

However, while inspecting the SUV today, i found one problem. On the driver side, the inner CV boot is torn and it is spraying some gray looking grease around. The passenger side, looks fine.

My question is... how hard is to replace the torn CV boot on these trucks? Do i need any special tools? Should i just replace the boot(s) or do the whole CV axle? Autozone has the boot @ $20 each, or the entire axle for $75. I have no idea how much a shop would charge for this job.

I've replaced CV boots on Nissan Maxima and old Audi in the past and it was a doable but time consuming task. Both times, i wished i replaced the entire axle vs dealing with fixing individual CV boots.

If you have any diagrams, step-by-step, and other tips, i would really appreciate the help.

Thanks!
Dan
 
Don't buy an autozone CV, they wear quickly. Buy the Toyota part (not the Lexus)...cheaper. A 2007 FJ Cruiser CV fits perfectly (I am running one right now). You can find them on this forum often or even the FJCruiser forums.

To replace just the inner boot you have to remove the CV and tear it down, so it is worth replacing inner and outer boots while you are in there.
 
If the boot has been torn for some time, it may be best to just replace the entire axle.
 
SouthernSS said:
If the boot has been torn for some time, it may be best to just replace the entire axle.
Click to expand...

I just bought the SUV, so i have no idea how long ago the boot was broken. It clearly still has grease inside. Does not make noises, but i am not sure if any damage was caused.
An Autozone CV axle is not expensive at all ($75), but i am not sure if it will last.

Thanks!
 
DanKunz said:
Don't buy an autozone CV, they wear quickly. Buy the Toyota part (not the Lexus)...cheaper. A 2007 FJ Cruiser CV fits perfectly (I am running one right now). You can find them on this forum often or even the FJCruiser forums.

To replace just the inner boot you have to remove the CV and tear it down, so it is worth replacing inner and outer boots while you are in there.
Click to expand...

Two questions...

1. Do i need any special tools/clamps to remove and to disassemble the CV axle so i can replace the boots?

2. Someone advised me to get the split CV replacement boots. Good idea or bad? It sounded like Toyota sells those.


Thanks!
 
You can R&R a CV pretty easily, the only thing really are snap ring pliers (in terms of special tools)

I wouldn't get split boots, they will most likely leak fairly quickly.
 
DanKunz said:
You can R&R a CV pretty easily, the only thing really are snap ring pliers (in terms of special tools)

I wouldn't get split boots, they will most likely leak fairly quickly.
Click to expand...

OK.
So as far as the parts (CV boots) ... can I be confident that the 2007 FJCruiser CV boot kit is an exact fit for my 2005 LX470??
Local Toyota dealer has the OEM kit for $55.


Thanks!
 
Great! Thank you.

I will get this part from the local Toyota dealer and attempt the repair over the next weekend. I don't drive the SUV much, and since the joint is still very well lubed, i hope that another 100-150 miles on it won't damage it.
 
Aftermarket axle?

Let me ask this and see what you guys think ...

Is it worth it to just replace the entire CV axle with "aftermarket" one. Autozone sells aftermarket complete axle ....for $75. Napa sells an axle for close to $100.... Oreily Auto Parts sells one for $75.

The CV boot kit from Toyota is $55. So the money is not an issue. Removing old boots and installing new....is simply more time consuming.

I was thinking to just get a new axle from Autozone for $75.

Then a very good friend of mine who works on german cars a lot told me that aftermarket, non-OEM axles are junk. He told me to stay away from them, due to poor quality.

Now i am confused what to do. Putting a new axle, will be faster, less messy, and not as expensive ($55 vs $75) but...what if the Autozone axle really is junk and it fails in a year or two??

The OEM axles at the dealer are much more $$$ ($200+), so this is not an option.

Does any of you have experience with non-OEM axles? Any issues? Should i stay away from them or they're fine?

Thanks!
Dan
 
OEM is the only choice when it comes to replacement...period.

Otherwise, do the work and replace the boots.
 
DanKunz said:
OEM is the only choice when it comes to replacement...period.

Otherwise, do the work and replace the boots.
Click to expand...

I think i will take your advice, DanKunz. I've been reading some SCARY reviews on aftermarket axles from various part stores. Lots of junk out there.

As long as my current OEM axle is not damaged because of the broken inner boot, i should be fine with it. There is still grease in the boot, i don't hear any clicking, so i am hoping that there is no damage.
 
Done!

CV boot job was successfully completed this weekend. It took me a bit over 2hrs with some help from my brother. It was not a difficult job at all.
I replaced the torn CV boot with OEM Toyota boot kit. A little messy, but not so bad if you are wearing rubber gloves.

These are the basic steps i followed to remove the axle. Found them on yotatech forum:

- Remove wheel
- Remove the metal cover off that hides axle nut. (i used rubber mallet and a flat screwdriver)
- Drain diff oil
- Remove axle hub nut (mine was not that tight. Extension sure bar helped)
- remove speed sensor
- separate tie rod
- remove 2 bolts from lower arm
- remove inner drive shaft using sliding hammer or long chisel and a hammer

I am so glad i did not go with Autozone aftermarket axle.

Thanks for all the input on this thread!!
 
Last edited:
Excellent! If you see any leaks around the new clips you can swap those out to the worm drive clamps people have been using. I have them on mine and they hold up a lot better to flexing, etc.
 
Couple cv axle compatibility questions:
are all 120 platform cv's the same?....part number?
What about are tacomas the same? I found one cheap locally
same Left or right?
 
I would say go with whatever axle works for you cost wise. You'll more than likely get a OEM restored Axle worse case going Autozone. Nothing wrong wih aftermarket I assure you.
 
The same model year and platform have the same CVs. So, a 4R, GX, FJ, and Tacoma share CVs. They are the same.
 
Hi I have a torn inner cv boot on driver side also. Was just trying to reboot it and keep the oem. I bought a v8 4Runner boot kit. I was trying to remove my axle today but the axle will not come off. Is it mandatory to remove the speed sensor to take the axle off and if so, where is the speed sensor? I have rebooted my Tacoma before and was doing the same steps but the axle on the gx seems to be stuck.
 
Are you trying to pull the axle through the hub housing? That is where the wheel speed sensor is. Why not just remove the whole axle hub assembly (knuckle) and work with just the axle. If you drop the tie rod and break loose the lower control arm you can move the whole knuckle out of the way (still attached to the upper) and hang it somewhere and work directly on the axle. It takes a good yank to get the c-clip to let go.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Back
Top Bottom