CV boots

1996 Camry 4 cylinder 130,000 miles

CV boots

I recently took over this car and trying to get it back in shape. Noticed the CV boots are split, both sides, and lubricant is in the torn area. Is this a job for a mechanically minded “first timer”…..and how much are the boots? What type grease?

The car steers ok, no noise at this point.

Thanks,

Anyone?

It is normally recommended that you replace the half-shafts with rebuilt ones. The split boots are unreliable and the parts are not very expensive compared with the labor to take out the half-shafts.

Not necessarily an easy job
http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=325192

If the halfshaft is still original Toyota part, I stongly recommend you only replace the boot and keep the shaft. Because the the quality of genuine parts is much much better than the rebuild ones.

But, to replace the boot is not a easy task! Of course replacing the halfshaft is much easier, but it may not last long.

The solution is to buy reputable rebuilt half-shafts. Most of those rebuilt are Toyota half shafts since they the only ones being used as cores. No one buys new aftermarket half-shafts unless they are going to be used for racing.

Since the boot is broken, you have alot of dirt and grit in the boot and on the CV joint. If you only replace the boot, you will not have clean CV joints and they will die soon from wear related to the contaminated grease in the boot/CV joint. The only way to get a long-lasting repair is to either take the half-shaft completely off and rebuild/clean the CV joints and repack them with new clean grease, or simply replace the old half-shafts with rebuilt ones as an assembly.

IMO, Go with the rebuilt ones - it will save you alot of time and cost only a little more.

Thanks,
I found a shop that uses axles from a local axle company and not from parts houses...i.e. AutoZone. Only wished you could get long lasting boots like on GM cars. I decided not to do the job myself....at $160 per axle I can afford to let someone else do it.

I appreciate both of you guys opinions, you have been helpful to many.

You're welcome. Spray silicone lubricant on your CV boots each time you are under the car for an oil change. They will last much longer.

Is there any fluid loss when you pull the drive axles? Is there fluid to check under there other than the tranny fluid? I am not fimilar with front wheel drive vehicles.

You have an independent housing for the differential. That is the source of any fluid leak from the axles.