CV Axle boot tear?

[MissTake]

Forgive me, I'm just getting started here. This looks to be the cv axle boot tear yes?

This is a proper Mechanic job yes? One cant just simply throw a new cover over it. IF you zoom in you can see a couple of holes. This is Drivers side front. passenger isn't leaking. But i didn't check to see if i could see any old residue, but it looks dry / dusty. I initially thought the oil filter was leaking down into that joint on top of the control arm. I see a 50 minute timmy the toolman video so that translates to about 300 hours for me going by my last brake job. Any advice on how to move forward and what else to get checked out? No real grinding or bad noises turning the wheel or thunks of the sort. But I've just driven the truck to 40-50 mph, getting some vibration at 50+mph though. Also i have a build thread, should i just keep all of this contained there?

 

[leveeguy]

Your first pic is of the inner tie rod boot, which is attached to the steering rack.

The CV axle connects to the front diff and at the center of the hub, located just below the outer tie rod in your second pic.

 

[MissTake]

Your first pic is of the inner tie rod boot, which is attached to the steering rack.

The CV axle connects to the front diff and at the center of the hub, located just below the outer tie rod in your second pic.

Thank you very much! So inner tie rod boot leak. Copy that.

 

[leveeguy]

Thank you very much! So inner tie rod boot leak. Copy that.

Steering rack leak actually which would leak into that boot. Best to clean all that up then monitor it to see what re-appears.

 

[MissTake]

Steering rack leak actually which would leak into that boot. Best to clean all that up then monitor it to see what re-appears.

There appears to be a physical hole on the rubber boot, it looks like 2 of them. Right above the metal clip in Pic 1. But like you're saying, steering rack leak is a problem -- and that would leak into the boot -- which has a hole in it, then leaks out?

This might explain the bottles of power steering fluid i found while cleaning the car from the previous owner... thanks gain LeveeGuy!

 

[leveeguy]

Note* The power steering system requires ATF ( automatic transmission fluid) not power steering fluid if that’s what was left

 

[vipergrhd]

Just to add, make sure there is no leak above the rack like a VC gasket. Check your fluid level and see how much you have to add it could be just a slow seep at the moment and you could buy time; it is a pain to replace the rack.

 

[nissanh]

Try not to turn the steering wheel while you are heavily on the brake paddle (puts too much force on the steering rack components including the fluid pressures). Allow the tire to spin a bit while turning the steering wheel. Some leak is ok but if you need to constantly replenish fluid,, say once a month, then try flushing the fluid with a branded ATF fluid such as Mobil-1 or Valvoline (I got a leak in the Hilux steering box and flushed it out with Mobil-1 fluid and the leak is completely gone!). Or you can try adding AT-205 into the ATF fluid.

Always keep the ATF fluid flushed and fresh at least once every 5-7 years.

 

[MissTake]

Try not to turn the steering wheel while you are heavily on the brake paddle (puts too much force on the steering rack components including the fluid pressures). Allow the tire to spin a bit while turning the steering wheel. Some leak is ok but if you need to constantly replenish fluid,, say once a month, then try flushing the fluid with a branded ATF fluid such as Mobil-1 or Valvoline (I got a leak in the Hilux steering box and flushed it out with Mobil-1 fluid and the leak is completely gone!). Or you can try adding AT-205 into the ATF fluid.

Always keep the ATF fluid flushed and fresh at least once every 5-7 years.

Copy.

Last night took it for a drive, there is a WHINE when fully engaged left/right. Like when you get the wheel fully engaged left, then theres a lil more room, to rotate wheel, that would cause the WHINE. not a squeal but a noise for sure. I also noticed that wheel, if I pushs up and down on the front left, has a squeak going on. The rest of the car wheels dont do it. I had to austin powers out of my garage as kids parked too close. There was no leak previously, I only had an oil leak due to not torqueing the plug properly. But after a long drive to test out brakes, i noticed the fluid and the wetness there on the control arm. right below that area on front drivers side, It was clear fluid, almost odorless(tastless jk jk). So went under and took those pix. This truck has been sitting 5 years before I bought it, so fluids is on the list of things to replenish. I was just concerned at the hole in the boot. Thank you. Outside of that, I'm getting the D/R gear Thunk and the fan starts cutting on once the engine is warmed up i assume, but will check to see if fan clutch is busted. Its an oddly smooth/quiet ride for a v8.

Just to add, make sure there is no leak above the rack like a VC gasket. Check your fluid level and see how much you have to add it could be just a slow seep at the moment and you could buy time; it is a pain to replace the rack.

I've got a VC gasket leak but its on the passenger side, opposite this one. Yeah the videos look above my top skill level, ripping out entire entire of car / coil pack replacement, and rear brakes. Thank you.