The inboard drivers side CV Boot on our 99 RX 300 is leaking grease around the large clamp. The boot is in great shape and the axle works perfectly and is quiet. Can anyone tell me if it is possible to install the boot myself? If so, what tools are needed and if you have instructions for it they would be greatly appreciated!!! I know you can get the Boot kit from Toyota. The mechanic says I should just replace the whole axle and boot, etc for $360.

Thank you!

PS the information I got from CL for installing the antenna mast worked perfectly!!!

 

can the clamp be changed? Typically the shops have the special tool to crimp the band and new band has to be used. It also depends upon how much grease has been lost.


Salim

 

The clamp could be changed but the mechanic said that they always just replace the axle in case it has lost a lot of grease, however, it doesn't look like it has, very small amount..Can I buy a clamp tool like that anywhere??

 

i dont think you can just buy the clamps. if you want to, you will probably have to buy oem from toyota. thats what i did, and after breaking 2 banding clamps of fairly good grade, i took it to toyota and they banded them for free. seriously those bands are hard, true story. you can buy regular clamps, ive done it before, i dont see any ill effects. and as for replacing it, because i am unsure if it is FWD, which i believe so, it is a pain. if you read around, you will find people doing the most crazy techniques to remove this axle. i did it, but my car seriuosly sat for 1 week til my buddy and i could figure out how to correctly remove it.

goodluck
Charley

 

Changing the boot requires removing the Axle. There used to be a split boot for some cars, but they arent the greatest. I would just clean it up and put a new band or clamp on it and call it good until the axle starts making issues.
By the way you could buy one of those split boot kits, it comes with a band and just use the band...

 

There are open clips and closed. One has to remove the shaft for the closed. Which one does RX use?

Screw type clamps would cause rotational imbalance. Any one tried the zip-ties?

Salim

 

funny you asked, yes I have, they work, but in cold or temp extreme climates they will deteriote. I know they sell the metal bands at stores for the axle boots. I have bought them before. They do not have a heavy connection point. They do sell a tool for tightening them also.

 

Is the boot torn at this point or is the clamp just loose (this wasn't clear)?

I have the screw in type clamps on mine now on one side, but I know what Salim is alluding to on the rotational imbalance.

 

I was talking about this kind of clamp, just do a search on the internet or go to your local auto parts store.
http://www.partsamerica.com/ProductL...?Category=3530