Hey Gang
This is on a 2010 Lexus 450h. I was swapping out the lower control arm on the left and when putting it back, I was wrestling with the ball joint and popped the inner cv joint out. Lots of oil came out and the clamp came off the boot.

I got it all back together, but do I need to add some oil? How would I do that? I am using a normal pipe-clamp as I didn't see a way to re-use the one that was on there.

Thanks for any help.
-r

p.s. Also posted on toyotanation's highlander forum

 

The CV joint came out of the transmission, letting transmission fluid spill out of the transmission, yes you need to get that topped up before you drive the car. I'm not familiar with the specific transmission on the 450h, you can look up how to change/ add.
The boot came off the CV joint, there should only be CV grease in the joint, make sure the joint is well greased, clean the stub and boot mating area well and slip the boot back into position. A new clamp may be easier to install than manipulating the old one, in a pinch, a long tie wrap can be sufficient.

 

@mtlrx Thank you! The joint did not come out of the transmission luckily so no transmission juice came out.

So what I though was oil, was just some old dirty worn-out grease. That's good to know, I thought maybe it was ultra-rare-lexus-speacialty-sauce. Thanks again, I'll take that outer section off, clean it up and re-grease it!

Enjoy the rest of the weekend!
-r

 

Just in case: The hybrid transmission fluid is easy to top off and check and it takes either Toyota WS ATF, or Idemitsu TLS LV ATF available at Amazon which is what I run. The hybrid transmission is filled until fluid flows out of the fill hole and then you are done. It holds about 4 quarts. This is probably a good time for you to change the fluid. Just buy a 4 or 5 quart jug. There are many youtube videos on how to change it or on the Highlander hybrid forum.
You can check the level the same way by removing the fill bolt and sticking your finger in to learn the fluid level if none spills out.
You will need a small fluid pump to put the fluid into the transmission.

 

I am confused, what got separated. The shaft has two ends [transmission side and the wheel side]. There are 2 CV joints enclosed in a flexible accordion style rubber boots [inner - near transmission and outer - near the wheel].

So if it is not the transmission junction then it will be either the inner or the out CV joint.
Did the boot rip? Or the seal [metal band folded over to secure the boot to the shaft] somehow got compromised.
There is lube for the CV joint available in tube dispenser. If there was enough loss, you need to fill it back ... but then you need to replace the band to make sure it does not leak again. By mistake I had the CV joint come part on me and that was a challenge to put back as it can be reassembled incorrectly. If you do it wrong the shaft does not flex properly.

I hope the issue has been resolved. The grease provides lubrication as well as keeps the moisture/grime from entering the joint [that is why I strongly suggest insuring there is no cut in the boot and the clamps are tight.

Salim

 

I agree as the OP gave conflicting information. I suspect he actually lost ATF because in my experience CV grease does not turn into oil. I have rebuilt a few CV joints and replaced a few boots. They were always full of grease. He at least should check the ATF level which is very easy on a hybrid. Remove the fill bolt and stick a finger in to check fluid level if it is not about to flow out of the hole.