Experts on CV joints and boots please help!

[JCamry94]

Well hello everyone... here is my story!

So I was replacing my front struts a few weeks back when stupidly I tore the passenger's side CV boot ramming the strut into place. I drove with the boot flapping around for maybe 20 miles when I realized there was a problem. I patched it up for a few days attempting to keep the grease sticky for awhile and waited for my next paycheck.

Once I got paid (approx 4-5 days after the boot ripped) I replaced the joint boot with a "quick boot" kit for $20, (as I'm sure everyone else is going through, my paychecks have been shit lately so a full axle replacement was not something doable...) and surprisingly for a good two weeks my crappy litle jobby of a cv boot held up fine!

Now, about a week ago I checked up on it again and the small clamp that connects the boot onto the half shaft popped off. I stuck my finger in the boot and felt a LOT of grease still left, but worried that it could dry up. So another week has gone by and yesterday I was driving home from work...

(keep in mind the passenger side was the problem) AND I start hearing f***ing clicking! ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE !

I pulled off asap and checked everything, it all looked good, in fact I didn't know what the problem was at first either!

I got home and popped off my wheel and inspected. There is a TINY, MINSCULE, BABY pinch in the driver's side cv boot. Barely enough to splurge any grease. It's the size of like two ants... I patched it up and cleaned up a tiny it in the area.

NOW the passenger side boot was still in the same condition, but with it being exposed at the small clamp end.

MY QUESTION: is it possible that the driver's side CV joint has compromised internally? OR would it be more logical that the feeling and noise I heard was from the boot I replaced and havent closed up tightly? (even though the clicking was obviously apparent on the drivers side)

*I actually when letting of the gas would press my left foot as far up past the dead pedal and into where the firewall would be and FELT the clicking with my foot* ????

Any clarification as to what is going on would be GREAT! And also what can I do in the mean time? I have 6 days until I get paid again, and I have school/work all of those days.

THANK YOU

[JCamry94]

I enclosed and re-clamped the 'exposed' end today after sticking my finger in it and FEELING a good chunk of grease still


why the heck is this damn thing clicking??!?!?!?!


ugh... Foruntately work is less than a mile away and school is just over 2, and I'll try not to go crazy on the turns?

[JohnGD]

The split boot reviews are mixed. I guess it depends on the installation. Some claim they work well for years. My concern is that your costs are adding up quickly, for example, getting a new clamp is like $5.

For the price you're about half-way to a rebuilt shift, usually with a 1-year warranty. The $51 new Cardone Select I believe carries a lifetime (not sure if it covers torn boots however), at least used to at O'Reilly's.

I don't know if you have the necessary tools to swap out halfshafts, even using Autozone's free loaner tool program. Axle nuts have to be torque properly or it can cost you a wheel bearing and who knows what else later.

The regular outer CV boot kit (there are different ones) is about $8.67+shipping. A rebuilt shaft is about $43 and new $51 (both plus shipping).

http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/moreinfo.php?pk=1029749

At least identify the source of the clicking in an empty parking lot doing turns. If it's clicking then you need a new/rebuilt shaft so your wheel won't lock up! Otherwise the cheapest patch is a split boot correctly installed.

However, even with the economy in the tank, you're going to end up spending more doing bits and pieces like that instead of getting a rebuilt/new shaft.

Originally Posted by JCamry94

Well hello everyone... here is my story!

So I was replacing my front struts a few weeks back when stupidly I tore the passenger's side CV boot ramming the strut into place. I drove with the boot flapping around for maybe 20 miles when I realized there was a problem. I patched it up for a few days attempting to keep the grease sticky for awhile and waited for my next paycheck.

Once I got paid (approx 4-5 days after the boot ripped) I replaced the joint boot with a "quick boot" kit for $20, (as I'm sure everyone else is going through, my paychecks have been shit lately so a full axle replacement was not something doable...) and surprisingly for a good two weeks my crappy litle jobby of a cv boot held up fine!

Now, about a week ago I checked up on it again and the small clamp that connects the boot onto the half shaft popped off. I stuck my finger in the boot and felt a LOT of grease still left, but worried that it could dry up. So another week has gone by and yesterday I was driving home from work...

(keep in mind the passenger side was the problem) AND I start hearing f***ing clicking! ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE !

I pulled off asap and checked everything, it all looked good, in fact I didn't know what the problem was at first either!

I got home and popped off my wheel and inspected. There is a TINY, MINSCULE, BABY pinch in the driver's side cv boot. Barely enough to splurge any grease. It's the size of like two ants... I patched it up and cleaned up a tiny it in the area.

NOW the passenger side boot was still in the same condition, but with it being exposed at the small clamp end.

MY QUESTION: is it possible that the driver's side CV joint has compromised internally? OR would it be more logical that the feeling and noise I heard was from the boot I replaced and havent closed up tightly? (even though the clicking was obviously apparent on the drivers side)

*I actually when letting of the gas would press my left foot as far up past the dead pedal and into where the firewall would be and FELT the clicking with my foot* ????

Any clarification as to what is going on would be GREAT! And also what can I do in the mean time? I have 6 days until I get paid again, and I have school/work all of those days.

THANK YOU

[belrancho]

I found a relative’s car which was a 99 infinity had 2 broken outer boots on it. I did not get around to fixing it for about a month and they were pretty dry. I replaced all 4 axle boots and the axles were not even damaged.

I have done the same thing on Toyota’s in the past. Removing the axle on a Toyota is a 15 minute job, if you have done it before. The lower ball joint is held by 3 bolts and does not require a pickle fork. All you need to take the axle apart is a pair of snap-ring pliers.

Clean out the joint and replace the boots and you are good to go. You will need to remove the inner boot to replace the outer boot

[JCamry94]

Thanks guys

My joints stopped clicking? lol

So I'm gonna hope to god that my little patch job will hold up until my next paycheck. I'm also gonna read up in my hayne's guide to see if I can do I have enought time to DIY it.

Everything feels fine for now so I'll give you guys a holla if my axle explodes on the highway

[BMR]

I've had CV joints make clicking noises while turning sharply, and the boots were fine (not leaking grease). And when it first starts, it's inconsistent. How many miles on 'em? In my experience, they're good for about 100-120k miles.

[JCamry94]

Originally Posted by BMR

I've had CV joints make clicking noises while turning sharply, and the boots were fine (not leaking grease). And when it first starts, it's inconsistent. How many miles on 'em? In my experience, they're good for about 100-120k miles.

Mine was clicking while driving straight?

It's been fine all day today too ha

The boots and the joints/axles are OEM with 150k on them, so I guess that could be the culprit.

I'm not pushin the car much I just need to save up a couple more paychecks until I can get the two axles replaced.

[kmr16442]

I'd stay away from the quick boots. I replaced a boot recently on a Corolla and first got the quick boot from the local parts store. I was also about $20. It was a big piece of junk. It didn't fit well and the metal bands were a pain in the rear to crimp and secure around the shaft. I gave up and went to my local Toyota dealer and bought their boot kit for $29 and it included a perfectly fitting boot, nice clamps, an axle snap ring, and plenty of axle grease. The installation was very easy.

[JCamry94]

Originally Posted by kmr16442

I'd stay away from the quick boots. I replaced a boot recently on a Corolla and first got the quick boot from the local parts store. I was also about $20. It was a big piece of junk. It didn't fit well and the metal bands were a pain in the rear to crimp and secure around the shaft. I gave up and went to my local Toyota dealer and bought their boot kit for $29 and it included a perfectly fitting boot, nice clamps, an axle snap ring, and plenty of axle grease. The installation was very easy.

The quick boot is workin out aiiiiight I guess. It fit well on mine and luckily from all of my intake projects I have enough clamps to start my own air induction specialty shop so I fit it on well. And for the past 2 days it has held up tightly 100%

My fear with popping off the axle is me not being able to do it in a timely fashion or screw something up along the way? I haven't looked into the labor aspect of a job like this since I got two damn tests this coming week!

I'll check it out, thanks for the tip!

[JCamry94]

UPDATE

I called Toyota and they quoted me $700 for ONE SIDE to be replaced (my left) LOLOL!

So... I called around and there's a place across the street from my house that will do it for $150, thank you god!

One last question... as the right side is OKAY for now should I just go ahead and replace that one soon too?

Thanks for all the help guys!

[flyeri]

Does the right side have an intermediate shaft and a outer half shaft? I had my friend replace both sides when I got the car for my daughter 2 years ago because the boots were destroyed. He did not change the intermediate shaft, just the the half shafts. 12 months later we started hearing noise in the front end when starting off in a right turn. Turns out the inside of the cup on the intermediate shaft was worn pretty bad. The thing is the complete assembly (both shafts for the right side) was the same price as either part seperately and much easier to change as a single unit. I never have been a fan of the quick boot unless, like you, you know when the boot got damaged or you just need to limp along for a short period. They never seem to be a permanant fix. $150-$200 is a very reasonable price for the job. $700 is way out of line. I am assuming the $150 did not include parts. they should be $125-$150 total as I recall.

[JCamry94]

Originally Posted by flyeri

Does the right side have an intermediate shaft and a outer half shaft? I had my friend replace both sides when I got the car for my daughter 2 years ago because the boots were destroyed. He did not change the intermediate shaft, just the the half shafts. 12 months later we started hearing noise in the front end when starting off in a right turn. Turns out the inside of the cup on the intermediate shaft was worn pretty bad. The thing is the complete assembly (both shafts for the right side) was the same price as either part seperately and much easier to change as a single unit. I never have been a fan of the quick boot unless, like you, you know when the boot got damaged or you just need to limp along for a short period. They never seem to be a permanant fix. $150-$200 is a very reasonable price for the job. $700 is way out of line. I am assuming the $150 did not include parts. they should be $125-$150 total as I recall.

Yes the right side has two pieces. On the left the tranny is right there so it just connects to the inner boot, halfshaft, outer boot, then the axle. And yeah I wasn't looking for a permanent fix, I just couldn't afford to replace the whole damn thing at the time.

The right side is pretty cool for now, and should last me another month or two at most, which is good enough in time to replace the whole driveshaft on that side.

So my problem is now that the LEFT side has begun creeking, popping, and thumping, even after I patched up all the spots where the boot was cracked or leaking. I'm uploading a video as we speak to confirm to members here that the joint is indeed the main culprit and should be replaced first thing on Friday morning (which is the plan!).

Thanks man

[JohnGD]

$700 just for one? Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha They're out of touch.

Originally Posted by JCamry94

I called Toyota and they quoted me $700 for ONE SIDE to be replaced (my left) LOLOL!

So... I called around and there's a place across the street from my house that will do it for $150, thank you god!

One last question... as the right side is OKAY for now should I just go ahead and replace that one soon too?

Thanks for all the help guys!

[JohnGD]

Some places sell rebuilts with the intermediate shaft (with a new bearing). Check around. At least you're not in a hurry to change it out for now.

[93XLEcamry]

just got mine axle done today, both the front ones for 277 including alignment....but i got the hook ups...keep looking