CV Boot Replacement...or how to save $1600!!!!

[mbeach]

Another fine write up Mr. Oliver!

Thanks from everyone here, we appreciate how much time and consideration it takes to step away from the tools and take a few pictures. This easily doubles the time of the job. Thanks again,

[Joe_Black]

Excellent write up and photos! This is what this community is all about. THANK YOU!

PS: If you'd like to permanently host your how-to somewhere, I'd be more than happy to copy it to my VX site.

[Triathlete]

Joe Black...Feel free to throw it up on your site.

[SPAZZ]

but, you need to throw in there that the C clip on the inner green axle cup needs to be installed offset from the bearing grovves upon installation or the whole bearing, cage, castle, and c clip assembly will slide right out of the green cup.

Other than that looks great. Glad you finally got it.

[tomdietrying]

Great job Billy! I just had mine done, and it cost me $350 big ones.

Once again.....you the MAN!

Peace.
Tom

[Jonnie]

Crap. That was easy. Why wasn't that way the first 3 times I tried. So easy anyone with the tool list can do it.

The only problem is the outer boot I got at Pep Boys was loose on the cup- too loose. My neighbor wisked me up the street to Adavanced to get another. Don't forget the big C-clip, i almost did.

Thanks for the help Spazz, the Marines always get the job done!

Jon

[TEN36VX]

Did my CV Boot replacement this weekend using this post as a great tool.

I figured since one was bad the others couldn't be close behind so I replaced all of them using the Mecatech boots, which came so highly recommended by E-ZooZoo One. I combined their instructions and Triathlete's for the install.

Since the Mecatech's are so elastic I only had to disasemble as far as Post #5 (and my ball bearings didn't fall out...). The outer boot slid over the bearings using the existing grease as lube (an assistant to helps with this one). Then I just used mecatech's cone tool they provide to get the inner boot on. Easy as pie.

First side took 3 hours; the R&D phase is always the longest. But after having done it once, the other side took only an hour. So, if you have done boot replacements before, you could replace all 4 boots in 2 hours!

Thanks for the How-To, Triathlete.

[pbkid]

wow billy thanks for the great writeup, thats gonna help the rest of us out a ton!

[tomdietrying]

Billy, great job!
Peace.
Tom
012009

[bentcipher]

The independent4x site shows boot kit that includes 4 boots for $134.99 - don't see where it could be purchased separately.

I just need the two fronts to fix mine. Maybe get the whole kit anyway and just keep the other two as spare?

[taylorRichie]

Here's just a single boot

I just did my CVs a week ago, buy a box of rags Mileage varies greatly with different makes of CVs. Some have had good luck with the $15 Dormans, other's (me) they haven't lasted 500 miles. Some have had good luck with mecatechs, other's (Little Beast) they haven't lasted.

I'm going to try the high angle boots on this site:
http://www.offroadsolutions.com/955-04_tacoma.html

Next time I have to do my CV's, However, I'm not certain they're the correct diameters, or lengths... Just wishful thinking

[bentcipher]

You da man. exactly what I needed. I'll take two of those for now to replace my outer boots. I know people have done the all four at the same time but my inners look pretty solid. Based on the writeup, looks like a pretty straightforward install, besides, I'd like to see how the mecatechs hold up.

Thanks for the assist

[tom4bren]

bentcipher,

You have to remove the inners to replace the outers (if you're following the instructions posted in the How2 section). Removing those metal bands can cut into the boot. If you're not replacing the inners, be very careful not to damage them in the process.

Tom

[superman]

I wish I would've come across this last week. I now have to replace the cv axle, the knuckle, the bearings, and a slew of other small associated parts.

[tom4bren]

The complete writeup including pix is in the how2 section.