4WD front axle shafts

While doing an oil change today I noticed my right front CV axle boot is leaking



I looked it up though Toyota, and it’s both pricey and out of stock.



I don’t recognize any of the brands on rock auto but the prices don’t make my eyes water and they’re actually in stock.



I looked on Napa and they sell a replacement boot kit for about $25.



It wasn’t leaking earlier this week when I flushed the coolant, and it’s not making any noise.

Should I -
A) just repair the boot (cheapest)
B) buy an off brand axle now and hope it lasts a while (some money spent)
C) wait for them to be in stock and purchase from Toyota, hoping the axle doesn’t give out in the meantime (and use my empty wallet as a personal flotation device)

EDIT:
On rock auto and Napa it’s showing the same axle part# for LH/RH, but Toyota lists them as different. Are the left and right CV shafts interchangeable?

 

Off brand axles will fail. Keep your factory ones and reboot. I’m on my third set of aftermarket axles. They last about 3-4 years and the boots split and sling grease.

 

Judging by the level of patina on them, they’ve definitely been in there for a while.

It looks like the boot kit comes with a packet of grease - do you recommend using whatever it comes with, or adding more of a different kind?

(I’ve never had a 4WD/AWD vehicle long enough to have ever dealt with this before so my knowledge is limited as to best practices)

 

Repair.

I was in the same situation recently, and looked at all of the options, including used OEM CV axles from EBay. In the end, I rebuilt mine using a Toyota kit. There are many threads on why this is the preferred route, because the aftermarket boots are not nearly the same quality as OEM.

I think I used 04438-0c020, but check that number before ordering.

 

Aftermarket tends to use a different CV joint design as well. Less articulation than OEM.

 

Did you need a special set of pliers for those band clamps? They don’t look like any kind I’ve ever used before

 

Yes or just get rolled edge band clamps. And if you're lifted might want to consider a different (longer) boot but looks like your angles aren't that steep.

https://www.tundras.com/threads/1st-gen-lunch-table-general-discussion.60450/page-1916#post-3451375

 

No. There are loads of videos on YT showing how to install the clamps with just regular tools. I just made do with what I had on hand.

 

Reboot.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YH5Cf7uJV5Y

 

Toyota sells the complete boot kits, and pricing is comparable to aftwr market.

Why did I use toyota boot kits? Grease compatability. I know the toyota boots and grease will not have negative interactions if I failed to remove every drop of old grease. I dont know what Napa, or other companies grease will,do.

Peace of mind, for me at least

 

After reading all the reviews on here of the aftermarket axles, I hunted down a couple of remans at the local Toyota dealer warehouse. The site listed as out of stock, but I called and was able to order the last two that they had on the shelf. There was no core as Toyota has ended the reman parts. I kept the old ones to reboot when the time comes - in the future I plan to just reboot the OEM ones I have instead of going aftermarket.

Good luck, it looks like a messy job!

 

Messy, yes. Cardboard and old rags mandatory.

Satisfaction knowing my original OEM axles are still fine, working well?

Priceless

 

Thought they all ran out about a year ago....

 

Can you tell from that photo that OP has factory cv axles? If they're not, then Napa axles with a lifetime warranty would be my recommendation

 

Limited view due to angle and rust. Cannot say for sure. The factory axles usually hold up pretty well and have black shafts with pink stickers on them.

 

Look for old sticker if still attached.

OE axle



Reman axle

 

OPs axles are definitely not OEM. Note the not round joint cup on that inner.

 

Good catch.

My oem boots have pointed ridge peaks on each fold. The OP boots have rounded

 

I just went through this and bought a used OEM axle on ebay. Rebuilt and installed. Then I rebuilt the axle I took off. If it's not OEM then I probably wouldn't bother. I got a knock-off verson of the toyota reboot tool, replacement clamps off Amazon, some good snap ring pliers, and the earless clamp tool off the Zon. Tools were maybe $50 total. With the third axle I now have a spare if needed ready to go.

 

Napa, and China Freight sells the tools as well. Nice to have, considering Ive done about 16 axles over the years, everything from Yota, Honda, and Soobaroos

 

I dont hate my trackmotives from stoneauto no lift, but i can use 4x4 every week. I have my oem axles to rebuild, but after a year the trackmotives are fine, but a little rusted cause i didnt paint em.