Torn CV Boots, No Grease, 800 mile Road Trip

[meatloaf]

The CV boots on my 04 100 have been torn for a while so they are dry, no grease. I was planning on making an approximate 800 miles (90% highway) drive in it. The CV axles are probably no good anyway and will be replaced when I have enough funds for this. Should I not take the truck on such a long drive? Any foreseeable problems with this?

The link below seems to be a good deal on oem shafts

43430-60040 - Genuine Toyota SHAFT ASSY, FR DRIVE

 

[aging fleet]

The only thing I'd be worried about, given the axles are likely toast, is a catastrophic failure of the CV along the way. If repair beforehand isn't feasible, I'd probably put some lube into the joint and try to seal up what remains of the boots with duct tape. Goal would be to keep some portion of the grease in the joint, but most will end up slinging all over your front suspension.

Report back and let us know how it went.

 

[Rolocado]

The CV boots on my 04 100 have been torn for a while so they are dry, no grease. I was planning on making an approximate 800 miles (90% highway) drive in it. The CV axles are probably no good anyway and will be replaced when I have enough funds for this. Should I not take the truck on such a long drive? Any foreseeable problems with this?

The link below seems to be a good deal on oem shafts

43430-60040 - Genuine Toyota SHAFT ASSY, FR DRIVE

Axle Assembly - Toyota (43430-60040) | Toyota Parts
Save 20-30 bucks to put toward your grease and duct tape

 

[FxFormat]

My beater has a torn CV boot for over a year now lol, it's completely dried up in there. I don't plan on changing it either, the axles itself cost more than the car's worth so i'll just keep driving it.

Nothing will happen, unless you had some major corrosion in there already that might lead to breakage, even then, you still have RWD if it comes to that.

 

[meatloaf]

My beater has a torn CV boot for over a year now lol, it's completely dried up in there. I don't plan on changing it either, the axles itself cost more than the car's worth so i'll just keep driving it.

Nothing will happen, unless you had some major corrosion in there already that might lead to breakage, even then, you still have RWD if it comes to that.

No rust of corrosion on mine, just no boots and old dry grease splatters

 

[davegonz]

Luis, I might have something you can use. Just need to swap them in.

 

[davegonz]

I did an emergency repair once where I filled the CV with grease and then zip tied/taped it closed as best I could. Made it to south Texas and back that way.

 

[meatloaf]

Thank Dave, I will get back to you when I come back. Going to S. Texas too, Zapata. Thankgiving with in-laws and the hunting for a couple of days

 

[vman07]

FWIW my irresponsible brother has been driving around with a completely torn and missing CV boot for a few years (on his 3rd gen. 4runner). Him and I finally replaced his front axles the other day, they were fine with no obvious sign of wear or damage to the CV joint.

Not recommending to drive without boots on the CV , but if you're looking for reassurance, I'd take the 800 mile drive and not think twice about it ...

 

[geanes]

@meatloaf ... are you getting any "shudder" when turning and accelerating? Almost like the sensation of something binding?

 

[meatloaf]

@meatloaf ... are you getting any "shudder" when turning and accelerating? Almost like the sensation of something binding?

geanes, no issues with shudder. the only noticeable thing is the clunk when shifting to "R".

 

[BillZ260]

Take the trip = ADVENTURE!

 

[SALTY METHODS]

Is it making any noise? Weird shaking? If not, go for it.

 

[meatloaf]

FWIW my irresponsible brother has been driving around with a completely torn and missing CV boot for a few years (on his 3rd gen. 4runner). Him and I finally replaced his front axles the other day, they were fine with no obvious sign of wear or damage to the CV joint.

Not recommending to drive without boots on the CV , but if you're looking for reassurance, I'd take the 800 mile drive and not think twice about it ...

vman, good to know... this 100 came from my irresponsible brother

 

[meatloaf]

Is it making any noise? Weird shaking? If not, go for it.

SM, no shaking, noises except when shifting to reverse..

 

[SlowBuild]

I know it’s a different truck but my first gen Tacoma had s torn boot with no grease for 2 1/2 years and maybe 30k miles and gave me no problems. I kept waiting for it to give signs of dying before I replaced it and it never did.

 

[geanes]

geanes, no issues with shudder. the only noticeable thing is the clunk when shifting to "R".

Ah, ok. Mine is shuddering a little when I turn and accelerate. Mine have slung out a ton of grease. Definitely not the differentials or driveshafts (LC Specialists confirmed). Said it was the CVs. Concerned I might be damaging something bad. Going to park my LX until I can have someone look at it.

Photo was after I pulled the stabilizer bar links and before I put in the new ones. I had cleaned the CV with brake cleaner and a brass brush. There was TONS of grease all over it.

 

[DJCloz]

you will be fine to drive cross country and back. Of course its not ideal, but unless you are going to do some extreme rock crawling putting severe stress on these parts, I wouldn't worry.

 

[aljollano]

^^x 2

A.J