SilverC

Hi all,

First thanks to all for a lot of useful info that have solved many problems in the past couple of years.

Recently had my rear suspension replaced at my local Lexus dealer (independent quoted me the same so went Lexus). A few weeks later, car is on on a hoist and I see the outer boot on my drive shaft is torn and grease everywhere.

The dealer inspected the car before the job so I know it was OK then.

My questions:

Do these boots fail - they seem to have a pretty easy life (for a boot), well protected?

In replacing the suspension strut/shock, is it likely that the boot could have been torn, ie could the hub assembly have shifted and torn the boot?

2007 150k miles
Thanks

Doublebase

I think it would be hard for an experienced tech to tear a boot during a repair, the boots are very strong and unless he hit it by accident with a torch or sawsall, I doubt it would tear. But I also think it's funny that it was missed during an inspection, so it could be just a coincidence. You do have 150k on the car and it is winter - these things do dry out a bit in the cold weather - so I guess it's likely it just failed.

Devh

My experience with rubber boots on velocity joints is that they can rip due to age. They can also rip early if you had any work don't to your car where the axle was hanging and the velocity joint was bent at a deep enough angle.
This could happen if they removed a strut and let the suspension flop without any support.
This will expose a weak boot to tearing and leaking the grease from the joint.
It could be the fault of the installer but then again he was dealing with components that was already weak to begin with.
Because of my experience I always make sure to support the control arms whenever I do any suspension work but unfortunately mechanics don't have the time to be gingerly with your car.

sktn77a

iTrader: (2)

CV joint boots tend to crack and tear gradually unless something physically ripped them. Sounds pretty suspicious there was no evidence of cracking when the had your suspension apart. I would let them know that you cannot fathom how they missed that when they had your car up on the rack. Depending on how long you've been driving with the torn boot, you may need a new axel/CV joint, as dealerships don't repair them any more. If it was only a week or so, you may get away with just the boot.

SilverC

Thanks for your opinions. What I don't like is the dealer is now quoting my circa $2K for a complete drive shaft replacement!

sktn77a

iTrader: (2)

Given the circumstances, they should at least goodwill some of that cost for you - have you asked them?

Doublebase

This is total crap, I'd take it somewhere else.

Devh

What I would do is find low millage salvaged axle and an independent.
A few hundred dollars tops.

roadfrog

Indeed. Just saw scads of them on EBay for 190-300 bucks.

Devh

The salvage network is the best kept secret. Sometimes it's better to get a part that has a little wear on it to match the existing parts.

SilverC

Thanks all. Having an ongoing conversation with them to resolve this.

Yes used parts are the way to go - bent the front of a 911 at the track and rebuilt that with salvaged.

Cheers