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?
Cv-boots
- Thread starter Brad Rumph
- Start date
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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?
how long has it been sense you did the bars?
- Thread starter
- #3
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?
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.
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.
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?
But a week shoudn't have been nearly long enough..............but maybe it was. How far did yuo crank the bars up?
Brad Rumph said:
- Thread starter
- #6
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.
- Thread starter
- #7
Just checked out the drop kit from slee.It looks like it will do the trick.
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 
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.
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.
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 
Augie said:
sleeoffroad
Supporting Vendor
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.
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
Supporting Vendor
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?
Do you by any chance do a lot of water crossings?
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.
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.
seaping boots
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".
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".
montocr said:
Yer a gas. Luv it!
ryanjl
SILVER Star
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?
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?
- Thread starter
- #18
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.
Brad Rumph said: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.
- Thread starter
- #20
If your ever this way come and visit.
