Leaking CV Boots repair info

[wildsmith]

Getting the drive shafts off so you can service them on the bench really isn't all that hard or time consuming. I'd say it's less than an 80 series birfield service. The biggest PITA for me was getting the ABS sensor off and it might be simpler to unbolt and unclip the harness if your sensor doesn't want to come out.

With the wheel off, undo a couple of clamp bolts that hold the ABS sensor wire and brake hose and remove the ABS sensor, take the caliper off and zip tie it out of the way with the ABS sensor, undo the two bolts that hold the steering arm on and zip tie it out of the way, take the cap off the end of the hub and remove the snap ring, remove the split pin and loosen the nut on the upper arm ball joint and split the joint, same for lower arm ball joint, remove ball joint nuts and pull the whole hub / swivel assembly off the end of the drive shaft and put to one side, grab end of drive shaft and pull, the plunge joint and CV should act like a slide hammer and pop the drive shaft out. Service CV's and reverse the above

The slop that was in my CV's makes me wonder if leaking boots isn't telling you your grease is in a bad way and needs changing.

 

[staggrlee]

Wow talk about a thread dredge!

FWIW I have a 2000 @ 70k with OME lift and didn't install the diff drop for about 3000 miles after the lift and my boots were oozing grease.

Tried the NAPA boot clamps. Turns out to have been a bandaid which worked for about 2 weeks before the right outer boot failed completely and started spewing grease all over the wheel well.

The boot cracked at the large clamp. I think the clamp actually cut it. If I were to do it again I would first take a file to the inner edges of the band clamps and not try to get them so tight.

I had all four boots replaced and the labor involved is almost exactly the same as rebuilding the shafts. Or about 2.5-3 hours per side. All told with a wheel bearing repack this ran $600!

This is probably the same cost as doing rebuilt half-shafts.

 

[bigskyguy]

My grease gun came with a needle attachment and I've used it to add grease to both my 100 and 05 taco's cv, and ball joint boots with no leaks. Quick and easy. The small hole made by the needle has not developed into a crack or any other problems and I did it about 40,000 miles ago on the 100 and 15,000 miles ago on the taco when I added the lift. Both rigs have had lots of high speed Montana mud/snow dirt road action.