A couple of months ago I noticed the passenger side inner cv boot split on my 01' 4runner. Since a new shaft only cost $100 I just replaced the whole shaft. Yesterday, while changing my oil I noticed the same boot completely tore in half. I went ahead and got a new one under warranty and replaced it. I am not sure if it was just a coincidence or if something is wrong. I've got OME 881's or 882's (can't remember what I bought) up front w/ 3/8" top spacers and a 1" Sonoran Steel diff drop. With the suspension loaded the axle doesn't seem to be at an unreasonable angle. It looks identical to the driver side, which has experienced no failures. The truck has not been off road except for a little dirt during the time that the failures occurred. Any thoughts?

 

Probably just a bad axle. Obviously you'll know if it happens again, but I would take it off road and drive a while in 4x4 and see if it shows any signs of wear (or tear).

 

I also have boot problems on my 1991 only on the passenger, and have not figured it out. I have come to wonder if something is not right and after going through the receipts from the previous owner I found out the right front lower control arm and a few other things on that side was replaced at the same time indicating to me that the right front got wacked pretty good as in a none body damage accident of some sorts. But I do get even front tire wear and they have had no problems with front end allignments. But something just is not right, in the 80000 mi I have had the runner I have done the right front boot three times, outer boot only.

 

That "new one" is not factory is it? Rather than replacing it a third time with another Pep Boys special I would spend the money on a factory boot kit. I didn't see the miles between swaps but you don't mention grinding or "clicking" of the axles. There is a reason that your local parts warehouse offers a $350 axle for a C-note; build quality. If you spend most of your time cruising the mall then get factory boots and be happy. If you wheel your rig, go back to factory axles/boots and do the job once more. If you relish pulling the axles to warranty axles, then by all means, continue down your current path. Our 3rd gen has an OME lift, Sonoran drop and 190K. Boots replaced at 175K with factory (both sides-inner and outer,why tempt fate?) and I don't expect to replace them again as long we own the rig. The axles were pristine when we swapped the boots with no wear or hot spots. I realize the R&R is a 2 hour job (both sides) but it is football season and I have better things to do on a Sunday.

 

No they're not factory. I got them for a local foreign car parts warehouse. If the problem repeats itself I might just go the factory route. Are you using top spacers in addition to your OME lift? I can't imagine I've lifted the front too much. It seems like a real popular front lift combo and I don't hear about people having too many repeats CV failures.

 

All of my axles (4, 2 spares) are Advance auto axles, mainly because if any axle breaks, it is a free replacement. If you wheel hard and don't have lockers (and even sometimes if you do) you're going to break axles with a lift, even the factory ones (that's how I got to having all Advance Auto axles).

You are better off getting familiar with changing them out and carrying the correct tools when you go offroad. I can change an axle out on the trail in about 30 minutes with hand tools. I'd rather know how to do it myself than rely on one not breaking.