split CV boots don't fit

[awmccready]

For everybody's information, here are the facts.

A few days ago, I purchased two new split boot kits (PNO 99038) from my local Advance Auto Parts store for my 97 camry le, 5sfe, auto trans, abs, 4 cyl. They salesman said they were a custom fit for that model.

However, after I removed the old boots, cleaned and dried the CV joints, and applied the grease from the first kit, I found that the new boot is way too small at both ends. The halves are so far apart, that the little screws holding the seam together pull through the rubber holes. At best there is a large gap in the seam at the large end, where obviously the grease will quickly fly out. The small end is not much better.

I checked the second box and found that it contained no grease, the screws were laying in the bottom of the box instead of in a bag, there were no instructions, and the boot had obviously been used.

I checked the Advance Auto Web site to see if it gave me the same partno. It did. Then I printed the online picture of the boot. The picture lists several cars that the kit fits. Nowhere did it say Toyota, let alone camry.

Draw your own conclusions. I have filed a complaint at their Web site and will tackle the store today.

I will now checkout Toyota's new and remanufactured drive axles. Although that will be a lot more work, at least it will probably work.

[Eye8Pussies]

good luck

and yeah, a lot of people decide to just change the whole axle since its so much work just to change the boot anyway

[Jeeves]

Originally Posted by Eye8Pussies

good luck

and yeah, a lot of people decide to just change the whole axle since its so much work just to change the boot anyway

This is what I plan to do. Both of my CV boots have split. Does anyone know the approx. cost (sans core charge) to do this? Also curious how long it will take.

[awmccready]

Both of the two Toyota dealers in my area wanted $482 for the driver's side driveshaft and $411 for the passenger's side, with a 1 year warranty. They had new, but NO rebuilt driveshafts.

Consequently, I just got rebuilt driveshafts/axles at a local store. The driver side was $77.19 + $70 core charge. Passenger side was $97.59 + $70 core. Both have a limited lifetime warranty, which means they replace it once, then give a 90 day warranty on the replacement unit. ABS brakes, which my camry has, up the price quite a bit. The salesman said he had installed a lot of drive axles and the remanufactured axles were better than new, because they were more likely to reflect the latest engineering changes? I don't know how much to rely on that opinion. He could also have sold me two non-Toyota vendor (GCK) NEW axles that would have taken 1 day shipping to the store. The price of those was $119.99 (right side) and $84.99 (left) plus a $45 core. However he talked me out of the new axles. There is no thick black paint on the rebuilt axles as there was on the originals.

Believe it or not, I got these axles at Advance Auto Parts, in spite of the split boot problems. (Since the store apologized for the problems with the split CV boot kits, and had the rebuilt drive axles in stock, I bought them.)

The Advance Auto Parts store salesman also gave me some other tips about installing the axles, e.g., use a ball joint fork or large screwdriver to pop the transmission end of the driveshaft out of the transmission case. He said there is an aluminum ring on the end of the old shaft sticking inside the transmission that should come back out through the seal without damaging the seal, but may require some extra force. The ring comes out still on the shaft. A pepboys salesman told me to put the spindle nut back on the end of the shaft and use a block of wood to knock it loose, instead of using a bronze punch, which I can't find anywhere, and a soft hammer. My Haynes manual says to use the punch and soft hammer)

The axles I bought require 217 ft-lbs of torque on the spindle nut. Since my torque wrench goes to 150 ft-lbs, I'm open to suggestions, although I already know I can buy a another torque wrench. I have a 1/2" breaker bar, so I don't think I will have a problem getting the nut off.

Pepboys had 1 rebuilt axle in stock and had to special order the other, which would take a week. Their remanufactured axles were $80 each (but that may be a w/o ABS price) with a $50 and $75 core and limited lifetime warranty.

A NAPA dealer had remanufactured axles available in two days at $70 + $50 core with a 1 year warranty. The NAPA website had NEW driveshafts for $139.99 and $99.99, but it didn't say whether that was with or w/o ABS. However, the local NAPA store couldn't find any way to order them and I didn't want to direct ship them in case they had to be returned.

Since I never replaced driveaxles, I don't know how long installation will take, but my Camry will probably be jacked up another 2 days or more.

[Stealth]

I don't know but I just paid my mechanic to replace both cv joints+boots for $250.

[amerikim]

I paid about $220 for CVs & boots + install

[Your Uncle Moe]

i paid 250 for 2 axels and install

[awmccready]

That sounds like a great price, especially to have someone else do the work.

Were the entire driveaxles on both sides replaced with remanufactured driveaxles?

[The Wolf]

i paid 250 for 2 axels and install

I hate you! j/k I paid $180 plus tax for a new front-right axle from Firestone. New CV boots were about the same price, and both had lifetime warranties on parts.