Front CV joint questions

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2wheelbob

2wheelbob

10 Year 15 Year
Joined
Mar 24, 2008
Threads
43
Messages
270
Location
Wyoming
I have a couple of questions for you guys with leaking CV joint boots. We had my wife's 2000 L/C lifted this past February at a well respected shop in Denver. I left for work a few weeks after and just got home last week. I was working on installing a CB radio in preparation for Cruise Moab. While it was on the lift, I noticed both upper CV joints (the ones closest to the differential) had been leaking from the shaft seal (smaller one). I did some reading on this forum and see that this is a common occurance after lifting a truck. I got in touch with PFRAN and he is expediting one of his clamp kits to me. I'll install them on Saturday. My questions are these:
1. Do you install the clamps over the existing factory clamps?
2. Should I try to add some CV grease to the boots to replace what has been lost? (not sure how critical the amount/type of grease is)
3. How quickly do the CV's fail once the grease is gone (I know, it's kind of a 'crystal ball' question but I have no experience with CV's yet)

I will be calling Hugh at Safari to see if he might be able to service the joints after CM but I want to make sure I have my bases covered for the San Rafael Swell trip.

Thanks in advance,

Bob
 
2wheelbob said:
I have a couple of questions for you guys with leaking CV joint boots. We had my wife's 2000 L/C lifted this past February at a well respected shop in Denver. I left for work a few weeks after and just got home last week. I was working on installing a CB radio in preparation for Cruise Moab. While it was on the lift, I noticed both upper CV joints (the ones closest to the differential) had been leaking from the shaft seal (smaller one). I did some reading on this forum and see that this is a common occurance after lifting a truck. I got in touch with PFRAN and he is expediting one of his clamp kits to me. I'll install them on Saturday. My questions are these:
1. Do you install the clamps over the existing factory clamps?
2. Should I try to add some CV grease to the boots to replace what has been lost? (not sure how critical the amount/type of grease is)
3. How quickly do the CV's fail once the grease is gone (I know, it's kind of a 'crystal ball' question but I have no experience with CV's yet)

I will be calling Hugh at Safari to see if he might be able to service the joints after CM but I want to make sure I have my bases covered for the San Rafael Swell trip.

Thanks in advance,

Bob
Click to expand...

1. Do you install the clamps over the existing factory clamps? No. Cut the old ones off and put the new ones on. Use a pair of tin snips or dikes
2. Should I try to add some CV grease to the boots to replace what has been lost? (not sure how critical the amount/type of grease is) depends on how much you lost. If it wasnt very much then you will be fine. Some race experts feel less CV grease is better on lifted trucks due to the angles on the CV's.
3. How quickly do the CV's fail once the grease is gone (I know, it's kind of a 'crystal ball' question but I have no experience with CV's yet) Really hard to say like you noted. The OEM CV's are relly robust and over engineered. No good answer to this.

Also, I just want to conform. when you said:
I noticed both upper CV joints (the ones closest to the differential) had been leaking from the shaft seal (smaller one).

You are talking about the CV boots and not where the CV enters the Diff right? If where it enters the Diff, we are talking about a different repair. Also, while time consuming, I would highly recommend doing the CV reboot job yourself. It isnt "That" difficult and is really good to know how to take things apart if you are going to venture off-road.

Good Luck!
 
Thanks!!

I just got off the phone with the guys at Safari and they confirmed everything you just mentioned. They said the reboot wasn't 'rocket science' and said as long as the boots aren't torn (torn boots would allow dirt and contaminants into the CV) I should be fine. I'll take your advice and attempt the reboot myself (after all, I did buy the set of FSM just for things like this).

Yes, the leak is where the boot meets the shaft, NOT the differential seal. I appreciate the response and will let you know how I end up.

Bob :cheers:
 
1. Note re: the smaller (inner) clamps. They are held in place with tabs. Just pry the tabs with a screwdriver making sure dot to damage the boot, then cut with tin snips.

IMG_20110923_033047.jpg


2. I used a plastic syringe to inject Toyota OEM grease into my CV boots. I basically just felt around with my hands on the boot, added grease and then made sure the air bubbles were out so that they would not burp when stressed. The only place I could get the peanut butter looking grease was by ordring a CV boot kit. I think it was around $30.

IMG_20110923_032848.jpg


3. How many licks does it take to get to the center of a Tootsie Roll Pop?

Here is my thread on them:

https://forum.ih8mud.com/pfran-leds/521348-100-series-cv-boot-clamps-bands-mcmaster-carr.html
 
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