So I got my lift put on today (I'll post a DIY guide later) and went to have my tires put on only to find out my passenger hub needs to be pressed (it wobbles when tight) and I have at least one leaking inner cv boot. I'm guessing the change in angle on a boot with 200k miles was the cause - does that sound right?

For the other lifted guys, did you encounter this? Should I replace the whole boot?

 

200k miles is your problem. The angle probably just opened it up so you could actually see it. Probably been like that a while. Just fix it. The angle that a 3" lift causes was never a problem for my CV's. There is a 1" diff drop you could use but I wouldn't worry about it.. When you get more photos send them to me at the Lifted Lexus page which is on Facebook.

 

Not sure it's "nothing to worry about" but I'd certainly consider the front diff drop. It greatly aides in keeping the front pinion bearing lubricated in lifted IFS trucks. The 4runner guys have issues with them quite a bit.

 

I had a similar problem when I put the lift on mine. Needed to reclamp the boot.

 

Where is the cheapest place to source oem remanufactured axles - Toyota 4 runner or FJ.

 

With a 3" lift, you might want to source from somewhere that offers a lifetime warranty, rather than cheapest. Truck looks great lifted!

 

Mine did the same thing. The added stress from the lift is no match for the OEM CV boot clamps and will cause them to leak even if you get new CVs. I ended up replacing my OEM CV boot clamps with these ones. They did the job and no more leaks. For sizing, just look up 4runner or FJ cv boot clamp diameters, they are the same.

http://www.clipsandfasteners.com/Nor...amps_s/671.htm

 

Thanks. I was thinking the same thing. I'm at Toyota now getting a quote. I know it's going to be more expensive than doing it myself, but I want the warranty since the chance of them leaking again is higher with the lift...

 

Well now I've got to rethink the whole thing. They wanted $525 per axle and 3 hours labor per axle at $105/hour. Then to press the bearing, it was another couple hundred. This was Toyota!

I can get the oem axles from sewell for a little over $350 (can't find a better price on fj axles anyway). I'm not interested in aftermarket axles. Guy also said he wouldn't bother putting them on until I did the diff drop. I thought this was about a one hour repair for a mechanic?

 

So I ordered some axles from sewell for $738 shipped. I'm going to have southern offroad (a shop here in Birmingham) handle the labor. I could probably figure it out, but they will do the axles, press the loose bearing, and alignment for $600, and I am comfortable with that. I'll get the diff drop installed before I take it to them on the 23rd.

 

Why are you replacing the whole axle when all you needed was a boot? Or just replace a half axel?

With all due respect sir - you need to stop ordering parts from the stealership.

Boots are only $10.00 but might as well put a CV in if you are paying for labor anyway.

Aftermarket CV would run you about $50.00-80.00 each at any area auto store.

Putting on OEM parts you probably don'e even need sure is expensive. I had a tear in my boot and drove it that way for over 40k miles. Just had the oil repair guys grease it every time I got a oil change. I tried to break it on the trails so I had a reason to replace that boot but it just never broke. It will start clicking when you turn your wheel before your wheel falls off.....

Here is a thread on opinions on the subject : http://www.fjcruiserforums.com/forum...-any-good.html

 

Thanks for the input. At $350 each for oem, there isn't a better price on the Internet. Sewell is well known for their fair prices on oem parts.

I have one broken boot on each side.

I do my own oil, so there's no "guy" that can grease my boot but me. And that's a messy hassle I can do without.

Aftermarket are known for being questionable, hence the oem. If I was going to do the labor myself, I would go with aftermarket since I could replace it under warranty and not pay any labor. Since I've elected to pay to have it done, a warranty on an $80 axle would still cost a few hundred dollars.

I'm also going to reboot the old ones for spares,so I won't have to buy cv shafts ever again.