Just A little 2000 Echo Help

[Tropicalwolf]

Okay, I know this is broken. It is front driver side of 2000 Echo. Can anyone tell me what it is technically called and maybe briefly how to repair it? Thanks!

Toyota Echo Damage

[Billiam]

Swaybar link.

1. Just squirt the nuts with some WD-40 and give it a couple of minutes.

2. Then remove the nuts.

3. Replace with new part. ---> http://www.carpartswholesale.com/par..._link_kit.html

4. Call it a day and have a beer.

[Bitter]

cut it with a hack saw then knock it apart with a hammer. install the new one...then also replace the other side since it's going to break next.

[Tropicalwolf]

Originally Posted by Billiam

Swaybar link.

1. Just squirt the nuts with some WD-40 and give it a couple of minutes.

2. Then remove the nuts.

3. Replace with new part. ---> http://www.carpartswholesale.com/par..._link_kit.html

4. Call it a day and have a beer.

Thanks! Gonna play with it tomorrow. If it's like you say, you da man!

[Tropicalwolf]

Another quick question for anyone still following this thread. WHen I replaced the sway bar link, I noticed that the boot behind the caliper had a small tear like it was pinched or something. How urgent is this to fix and what kind of work am I getting into if I try to fix it myself?

BTW, the advice you guys gave me was spot on and it took less than two hours to complete, start to finish including rotating the tires on the car. Not bad.

[Billiam]

Originally Posted by Tropicalwolf

Another quick question for anyone still following this thread. WHen I replaced the sway bar link, I noticed that the boot behind the caliper had a small tear like it was pinched or something. How urgent is this to fix and what kind of work am I getting into if I try to fix it myself?

Are you talking about the ball joint boot or the CV boot? If it's the ball joint boot, keep it packed full of grease and get it replaced when you can. If it's the CV boot, the joint will eventually dry up and fail.

Post up a pic and we'll have a look.

[Tropicalwolf]

It's the boot you can see in the upper right of the pic I posted in my original post. BTW, thanks again for your assist!

[Billiam]

[Tropicalwolf]

Okay, it's the CV. What am I getting myself into?

[Billiam]

Originally Posted by Tropicalwolf

Okay, it's the CV. What am I getting myself into?

Is it actually leaking? Maybe you could get a pic of the place on the boot that's in question, because I don't see any evidence of leaking in the pic that's up.

[Tropicalwolf]

I know it's not the best pic, but you can see a "pinch" or "cut" near the end of the boot. I'm thinking I may have caused this taking the old part off.

Damaged Boot

[Tropicalwolf]

I know it's not the best pic, but you can see a "pinch" or "cut" near the end of the boot. I'm thinking I may have caused this taking the old part off.

Damaged Boot

[Billiam]

Yeah...the pic is blurry. It does look cut though. If it is, the grease inside the boot will heat up when the car is driven and begin to leak out. At some point the joint will become dry enough to finally fail. Generally the first signs of failure are a clicking sound when turning.

As for what to do? You could continually inject grease into the boot every few days and it may last forever...who knows?

Another fix is to cut off the old boot, including the bands at each end and use a universal "split" repair boot. They can be kinda hard to work with. The joint needs to be repacked before installation. CLICK ---> http://www.autozone.com/autozone/rep...uctInformation

Another option is to remove the axle and then remove the actual CV joint and install a replacement boot. CLICK ---> http://www.partsgeek.com/mmparts/cv_...yota/echo.html

Or you might find that an entire rebuilt axle (sometimes called a driveshaft or half-shaft) is much easier to work with. CLICK ---> http://www.autopartsdeal.com/Parts_L...t/toyota/echo/