CV question

[thebeedeegee]

When I bought the truck there was grease thrown all under everywhere , apparently from the CV on the passenger side. That axel is obviously new, driver side is original. Boots look good on both, but the new one obviously leaked a s*** ton of grease. I cleaned it off and in about 500 miles only see a little seepage at the boot. I can move the boot slightly at the end so it probably needs a new clamp. Driver side is original (rusty) but boots look good and no leaks.

I hear no clicking when turning and truck drives well. Should I reboot or replace /re lube that passenger CV? I'm about to go on a long trip and I dont want it to fail on me.

 

[ranma21]

Put new clamp on to tighten up the boot, add grease before doing so to make up for the lost grease and you should be fine.

 

[knewstance]

Rebooting isn't a bad idea, but if your boots aren't split, you don't have to replace them.

I bought Pfran clamps in your situation and those solved my seeping issue. They are about 20 minutes to install all 8, but I later did the full reboot since I was in there and already had the parts.

 

[VirginiaSlim]

Put new clamp on to tighten up the boot, add grease before doing so to make up for the lost grease and you should be fine.

I've never messed with the CV axles/boots before, but I have one throwing a lot of grease. I'm going to re-grease and re-clamp with PFRAN clamps. My questions is, what's the best grease for the inner CV and what should I use to actually add it back in the boot? By hand? With a grease pump?

Here is the leak.

 

[YardPig]

Those axles have water intrusion. What comes out can also go in. Full rebuild required, unless you like to run water contaminated grease...

 

[VirginiaSlim]

Those axles have water intrusion. What comes out can also go in. Full rebuild required, unless you like to run water contaminated grease...

Do you think they’ve got water in them based on the color of the grease, amount of grease, etc.? They’re not making any noises so I’d to just keep them going as long as possible until I have it in the shop for additionl work.

 

[aging fleet]

I've never messed with the CV axles/boots before, but I have one throwing a lot of grease. I'm going to re-grease and re-clamp with PFRAN clamps.

That's throwing a lot of grease, you sure the boot isn't torn?

 

[VirginiaSlim]

That's throwing a lot of grease, you sure the boot isn't torn?

No, I haven't had time to actually get down there and check if the boot's torn. But I agree--it's quite a lot of grease. If the boot's torn I'll prob just go ahead and get new CV axles. I'm hoping that's not the case, however.

 

[VirginiaSlim]

Ok so I had an hour to take a look and there was a small tear right above where the boot clamps to the axle. Every time I wiped it clean, more grease reappeared so I’m hoping here is still a decent amount of grease in there. I fixed it with an extremely advanced and technical patch—gorilla tape and zip ties lol. Worst cv boot patch ever but I’m hoping it will keep the crud out until I can get it in for a new one.

 

[SS100]

The "caffe latte" color of the grease suggests it has mixed with water. Not good for your CV components to run water in them, even if it still has plenty of grease, they will damage fast. As suggested before, you need a full rebuild

 

[FxFormat]

Yep time to rebuild it, pull the axle, disassemble the tulip/cage and inspect for scoring, chips etc. If all is well, clean it rigorously with cleaner and repack with grease from the kit you get at Toyota. I did both of mine on my old LC, it sucked big time, dirty as hell, but it was due.

 

[cmassa]

Isn't the Toyota grease sort of cream/latte colored? That looks like the stuff that was put in my wheel bearings by the dealer a few years ago.

Chris

 

[knewstance]

Isn't the Toyota grease sort of cream/latte colored?

It's more yellow in the OEM reboot kit.

 

[VirginiaSlim]

The "caffe latte" color

Now I’m thinking I should’ve just frothed some milk and poured it on the boot instead of taping it