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Axle seal, CV joint, or what?

Discussion in '2.5 Gen Tundras (2014-2021)' started by rattail00, Dec 3, 2020.

  1. Dec 3, 2020 at 9:01 PM
    #1
    rattail00

    rattail00 [OP] New Member

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    Not a fun thing to find when you’re in the middle of a move but a trip to Moab will do that. Did my daily morning walk around of the truck to see if anything was wrong and came out to this. Is this a seal that burst, the whole cv joint, or what? There’s oil sprayed everywhere on the passenger side. First time dealing with something like this, so I apologize if this is an easy answer.D6684CDA-4B2E-4B6A-AEA8-316B70C73404.jpg
     
  2. Dec 3, 2020 at 9:16 PM
    #2
    lonedrake

    lonedrake New Member

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    Looks like the boot got a hole in it. May not be anything wrong with the cv joint yet...but if not replaced it will be destroyed. The boot keeps the grease on the joint and keeps water sand etc out. Boots are pretty cheap...but they are not easy to replace.

    I say looks like ,but you should be able see,feel a hole in the boot if that is the case
     
  3. Dec 3, 2020 at 9:23 PM
    #3
    rattail00

    rattail00 [OP] New Member

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    Ah okay, that would make sense why there is oil everywhere if it has a hole. I’ll feel around it in the morning and see if I can find a hole. Thanks for the help!
     
    Last edited: Dec 3, 2020
  4. Dec 3, 2020 at 9:37 PM
    #4
    TILLY

    TILLY Gently Used Member

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    Can you tell if the leak is gear oil, or grease? The inner boot will be sealed with grease like the outer, but there is a seal where the axle shaft enters the diff that can also fail and produce a mess like you have pictured.
     
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  5. Dec 3, 2020 at 9:43 PM
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    rattail00

    rattail00 [OP] New Member

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    It seems like gear oil to me just based off of when I changed the oil after regearing and doesn’t seem like grease. I’m going to clean everything off again tomorrow and check it all out to see if possibly that seal burst or if it’s a hole.
     
  6. Dec 3, 2020 at 9:48 PM
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    TILLY

    TILLY Gently Used Member

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    Let us know how you make out, and good luck.
     
    rattail00[QUOTED][OP] likes this.
  7. Dec 3, 2020 at 10:32 PM
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    SC_TRD

    SC_TRD Big BASTRD 4x4 Enthusiast

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    rattail00[OP] likes this.
  8. Dec 4, 2020 at 10:40 AM
    #8
    equin

    equin Texarican Tundra

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    From the pic, it looks like black boot grease to me. Also, gear oil has its own distinct smell. I’ve only had a few axle oil seal leaks in other different vehicles (all rear axles). And with each one, I first discovered the leak only from the smell.

    I’ve never done a new CV boot replacement, but I’ve heard it’s a messy job. Of the few CV boot leaks I’ve had, I found it easier to just replace the whole CV axle with a remanufacured one, preferably with lifetime warranty (O’Reilly’s used to offer them). I’d keep the original as a spare for a quick trail repair.

    Hardest two things for me when replacing a CV were 1) reseating it into the front diff without messing up the axle oil seal, and; 2) tapping in to the proper depth and alignment a new axle oil seal when that happened. I’ve never had to that on a Tundra, but on a 1st gen Tacoma I found an empty Chef Boyardee can to be the perfect tool to gently tap one in like that. I’m guessing another can slightly wider might work just as well for the Tundra.
     
    rattail00[OP] and Saltyhero13 like this.
  9. Dec 4, 2020 at 6:02 PM
    #9
    rattail00

    rattail00 [OP] New Member

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    Yeah I made the mistake of thinking it was diff oil at first, but its definitely grease after looking at it. Good to know though. I'd like to swap it all myself but I need to do some research to get that done
     
    equin[QUOTED] likes this.
  10. Dec 5, 2020 at 5:32 PM
    #10
    Ruggybuggy

    Ruggybuggy Seasoned Veteran

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    Sometimes it's better to just change out the CV axle than to change the boots. The cost is a little higher but the job is easier and most replacement axles have a lifetime warranty that covers CV boots.
     
  11. Dec 6, 2020 at 4:39 PM
    #11
    The Patriot 1776

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    This. About to do a buddy's 4R. Search around for using the sledge hammer/slide hammer method of popping the CV out of the diff. It's held in by a c-clip & can sometimes act difficult.
     
  12. Dec 6, 2020 at 5:27 PM
    #12
    17Yota

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    Check out http://www.cvjreman.com/

    They rebuild OE cv axles. They have options for a high angle inner boot for lifted trucks as well. Toyota cv axles are far better than anything you will buy at local parts stores.

    Looks like a failed cv boot
     
    Last edited: Dec 6, 2020
  13. Dec 6, 2020 at 5:31 PM
    #13
    17Yota

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    There are flat milled spots on each side of the CV axle where it goes into the diff. You can put a pry bar in this milled flat spot and tap the pry bar with a hammer. CV should pop out. If not the first try, rotate the CV axle and repeat.
     
    Last edited: Dec 6, 2020
    JLS in WA and equin like this.
  14. Dec 6, 2020 at 8:27 PM
    #14
    rattail00

    rattail00 [OP] New Member

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  15. Dec 6, 2020 at 8:37 PM
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    The Patriot 1776

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  16. Dec 7, 2020 at 5:31 AM
    #16
    17Yota

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  17. Dec 7, 2020 at 6:57 AM
    #17
    17Yota

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  18. Dec 7, 2020 at 3:19 PM
    #18
    Corrosivetendency

    Corrosivetendency New Member

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    Boot replacement really isn't bad. Buy a OEM kit. They disassemble with a snap ring plier brass drift and band tool or end snips to crimp the new bands. At least they were easy on the Tacoma. Have not done a Tundra yet.
     
  19. Dec 7, 2020 at 6:25 PM
    #19
    The Patriot 1776

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    After buying the correct tool for doing the bands, removing the c-clips holding the axle stub on, messing with all that nasty grease & whatever else, may as well just buy the whole drive axle assembled.
     
  20. Dec 8, 2020 at 11:13 AM
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    Corrosivetendency

    Corrosivetendency New Member

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    Maybe I'm just quick. I can have an axle out, disassembled, new boot on and clamped, reassembled and installed in under an hour and a half. With a floor jack.
     
  21. Dec 8, 2020 at 11:21 AM
    #21
    17Yota

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    I would still recommend doing the ECGS bushing while you have the axle out.

    I would also consider how many miles have been put on that axle since it dumped the grease. I've put a lot of miles on a toyota CV axle with a failed boot, but knew I was going to swap it out.
     
  22. Dec 8, 2020 at 12:37 PM
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    The Patriot 1776

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    Ha! Yes, definitely quick. I’d say super quick. I can get one out and back in in that time but also doing the boot, no.
     
  23. Dec 8, 2020 at 2:55 PM
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    java230

    java230 New Member

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    If you do axle OEM only!! I have popped a couple of aftermarket on the 4r.... OE is WAY better.
     
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  24. Dec 8, 2020 at 3:28 PM
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    Corrosivetendency

    Corrosivetendency New Member

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    100% go OEM. Rebuild them. Do not buy aftermarket. GARBAGE.
     
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  25. Dec 9, 2020 at 6:14 PM
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    rattail00

    rattail00 [OP] New Member

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    Yeah I'm talking to the guys at cvjreman.com right now and going to get an axle sent out. The bushing you posted is only for driver side correct? I'm doing the passenger side.
     
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  26. Dec 9, 2020 at 6:40 PM
    #26
    landphil

    landphil Fish are food, not friends!

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    Yes, the ECGS bushing is for the left (driver’s) side only.
     
  27. Dec 9, 2020 at 7:35 PM
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    17Yota

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    Yup, my bad, didn't look close enough. :facepalm:
     

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