IFS Leak Diagnoses

[Felix]

While crawling around under the new-to-me '02 4Runner, I noticed what looked like a grease emulsion (chocolate pudding) front passenger side.

Being that I am utterly ignorant about IFS suspensions, I'm not exactly sure where to look to determine the source. Or even what terms to use when searching MUD. My only guess was grease leaking from the upper boot of the axle shaft. But the consistency makes me think the problem is deeper. That the grease has mixed with the gear oil in the front diff.

Where should I be looking to more specifically diagnose without tearing into it?

 

[OTRAMM]

That looks like CV grease. The stuff inside the boots is fairly thin and milky looking.

 

[Stumpalama]

Water gets in there and whips the grease up pretty good too. Probably best to just to swap them out. Rebooting is a pita and if water is present is pointless.

 

[Felix]

Swap out the boots, you mean? Not the whole axle?

Pull axle out, remove boots, clean up, install boots, fill with grease, new clamps, reinstall. Sound right?

 

[Stumpalama]

No, replace cv axles as a unit.

 

[Felix]

That sounds easier.

 

[Felix]

What's the consensus on OEM reman. vs some other source?

Can I still drive this until I fix it?

 

[Stumpalama]

If there's still grease in there then you can drive for a while.
We went through a couple generic remans the last time I did this. I don't know who builds the best remans.

 

[OTRAMM]

I'll only install OE CV's the remans just don't last. They're back to leaking in a year or so. If you're plan is to replace the entire shaft you can drive on them til they make noise. OR replace it now and carry the old one as a spare.

 

[Felix]

According to Onur, the OEM ones these days are the same remans sold at NAPA or RockAuto. Looks like I get to save some money!

 

[Felix]

Okay, last question. I hope.

Can I get away with doing just the one side, or would a wise man replace both at once?

 

[OGBeno]

I would just do the side that is leaking. Make sure to replace the inner seal at the same time at the diff.

 

[Felix]

I would just do the side that is leaking. Make sure to replace the inner seal at the same time at the diff.

Even better!

 

[Stumpalama]

I would check the condition of the other side's inner and outer boots as well before committing to doing just one side.