corolla torn cv boot

Hello everyone, back again.

I was just rotating my tires and noticed my driver's side axle cv boot was torn with grease all over this area. It's about a one inch tear. It's the boot closest to the engine, inside and not easy to reach. It must have just happened a few days ago when I drove over a large speed bump with a low front tire and there was a hard bump when I went over it; like the engine rubbing the asphalt. How to repair this? can I just tie a plastic bag around it temporarily?

I have a 96 corolla, 1.8, 7afe engine. The other boots are in good shape as I had sprayed cilicone on them years ago according to this web site's advice and they have been holding up good over these years since I bought it 20 years ago.

Tanks for any help

Greetings everyone; back again.

I got some good info from previous threads from years gone by (very good years too) and so I've decided it's best to replace the whole axle instead of just the boot and secondly to do all this "hard labor" myself. I just have a few questions to ask that I couldn't find answers to on these threads so, if someone can help me out?

Being the corolla is so old, and being I'll already have some things dismantled and all in this same area, should I replace the ball joints, tie rod ends, anything else, etc., also? or just wait till their time is up? I intend to keep this car till "it's" time is up (now at 300,000 miles) but just too poor and too cautious to trust it to a mechanic shop or dealership.

Tanks a bunch for any replies.

Inspect everything in the area thoroughly and replace anything that is bad. Test the ball joints and tie rod ends before you start taking stuff apart. Only replace what you have to. Some suspension parts last a long time if you don't beat them on rough roads.

Hey tanks Brian.

What is the proper procedure for removing the driver's side axle? Do I need to raise both front wheels off the ground to do this. I only have some basic hand tools is that ok?

I already have the new axle so I'm going to spray the silicone on the new boots for another 300,000 miles.

Tanks again

OK I have all disconnected but the lower ball joint area with one bolt there and the 3 bolts on the control arm? or should I leave all this alone and just remove the 2 strut bolts to get the axle removed from the hub?

To free the axle, remove lock nut from hub, disconnect tie rod end from steering knuckle, stabilizer bar link from lower arm, steering knuckle from lower ball joint, then axle from hub. This is just a general procedure. I am not familiar with that vehicle.

I'm having trouble separating the outer tie rod end from the steering knuckle. I've already used the pickle fork and broke the rubber bushing with grease inside. so I will have to replace this if I ever get it off.

Use a hammer and smack the knuckle on the side right where the tie rod goes in. The shock should help it pop after a few good whacks.

All right, good info Mr. steelthee! The hammer trick did it and it popped out.

Now I have to remove the cv axle and it isn't easy to get under there with a few inches clearance. Any good ideas to get this off? and how to wash away all that grease before I put the new one in?

OK, I finally was able to squeeze under the car and place a pickle fork in a very, super small work area, wedged into just the right angle and pounded with a hammer and out she went. The tranny fluid draining shows you got it separated. Seems as though everything is done with a hammer in this part replacement.

Replaced the outer tie rod end in the same place it was before, put it all back together, added same amount of tranny fluid that came out, and test drove, and the car holds a straight line with hands off of steering wheel. Done. No need for an alignment right?

I would do an alignment.

I would be careful even if the car isn't pulling. Some alignment parameters compensate for one another - like a camber and a little less caster result in the same camber when turning.

Tanks for your reply.

How much money roughly for an alignment? I've never had one done on this car since I had it. My tires always wore perfectly all around. There is a how to video that shows how to do it yourself with a string. Is this possible? He made it look easy.