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Cv axle boot replacement.

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by DevChatt, Aug 11, 2017.

  1. DevChatt

    DevChatt Junior Member

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    Got the word from the mechanic that my axle boot on the drivers side has a slit in it.

    My mechnanic said I could wait until I hear clicking and then get it replaced with the entire axle. He said its more sensible cost wise to wait till then because the cost to repair the axle vs the boot is about the same.

    The forums here tend to say otherwise go get this replaced fast although...i'm not sure yet. Didn't notice anything until the mechanic said so!

    I called up a local Toyota dealer and they said it's 450 bucks to get the axle boot replaced. Is that average or standard for this ? Can I find it somewhere more reasonable in price? Is it about the same to just get the axle replaced?
     
    #1 DevChatt, Aug 11, 2017
    Last edited: Aug 11, 2017
  2. DevChatt

    DevChatt Junior Member

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    Here is a picture of a picture of the supposed boot that is split open. I'm not sure if this is of any assistance.
     

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  3. Kenny94945

    Kenny94945 Active Member

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    I'll weigh in.

    I'd certainly replace it now instead of later....
    Reasons: water intrusion, grease loss.

    As for price...
    Complete axle would come with the boot already installed.
    Since boot replacement is typically a bench job (typically) the same labor is involved to remove the axle as replacing the entire assembly plus there would be an extra labor charge to replace the boot.

    I don't know your areas labor rate nor the book time for labor.

    So...for analysis only
    Remove and replace axle...3 hours
    Cost of axle...$xxx.xx

    Remove and reinstall axle...3 hours
    Remove and replace boot...1 hour
    Boot and Grease...$xxx.xx

    If the axle joints and bearing are still okay; boot only may be cheapest and a good repair.
    If the tear has been there for some time (including winter) and all the grease is gone; axle may be best for long term repair.

    Good luck in your decision.
     
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  4. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

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    Wow the caked on dirt on the under carriage is not good. Worst I have seen. You must live on a dirt road.
    Really hard on the cars brakes hubs and trans.

    I was going to say it's a good idea to condition the rubber boots with rubber conditioner but in your case
    It would not help. I use black magic protectant. Keeps the rubber from cracking which totals the cv joint.
     
  5. DevChatt

    DevChatt Junior Member

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    Thanks both of you guys for your insight!

    @Kenny - Thank you for the information! General Labor costs in my area are about the standard 90/hr. so i'm gonna guess it all adds up to about the same $$$.

    @Ed- I used to do a more intense commute but nothing that required dirt roads. More along the lines of a few country roads. Minus going to NYC a bit, I typically don't do anything that intense...which really got me questioning how that dirt did really build up there. Would washing out help at this point or is it moot point?
     
  6. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Grease is flinging and dirt is sticking to it?
     
  7. DevChatt

    DevChatt Junior Member

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    Not sure....didn't personally really understand that part...
     
  8. DevChatt

    DevChatt Junior Member

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    That looks to be the case I just recently put my hand underneath the car on the mentioned axle side and this is what appeared out


    Going to take it to another local shop real quickly just to have a better view of what's going on will return what i find
     
  9. DevChatt

    DevChatt Junior Member

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    So I just came back from the shop and had a better look after they put it on a lift.
    There is not much dirt persay...it was actually grease spitting around from the split in the axle boot.

    The toyota tech recommended to just get the boot replaced at this time as the damage didn't look too far in yet and quoted me 450 for OEM boot and insisted to not wait.
    TBH i don't have much issues with using aftermarkets at this moment to save the cash....
    Do you guys see issues with aftermarket axles?

    I called another Toyota dealership and they insisted that they install an aftermarket due to it being miles cheaper.
     
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  10. johnjohnchu

    johnjohnchu Active Member

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    Have you ever considered split cv boot? I have never used it myself. However, it only cost around $20 or less. Also, the entire drive axle is available around $50 at local auto parts stores. I have used these a couple times without any long term issue. Then you can just bring it to any auto mechanic shop to have it installed, if you can not do it yourself.
     
  11. DevChatt

    DevChatt Junior Member

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    I tried searching on the standard auto parts stores and can't find one that fits....

    The entire axles at AAP for the prius and others are a bit more pricier around 80 ish...still not bad!

    Duralast Gold CV Axle 10308N - Read Reviews on Duralast Gold #10308N

    Just may look for a mechanic to do the work.

    Biggest worry with this is a lack of warranty if things break...but if I find a trusted mechanic, the part is still under warranty I believe...would just have to pay for the labor i think right?
     
  12. johnjohnchu

    johnjohnchu Active Member

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    Check Amazon too. CV boots should be washed with soap and water once in a while
     
  13. 05PreeUs

    05PreeUs Senior Member

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    OH BOY!!! Toyota Corporate would not be pleased to hear that!!!! Franchised dealers are supposed to get ALL parts thru OEM distribution channels. A name-plate dealer installing non-OEM parts is setting themselves up for a bog problem.

    To the question at hand, the axle shaft would not need to be removed to replace the outer boot, but the time saving is likely minimal. At this age and unknown mileage in the rust belt of PA, I would replace the axle with a quality remanufactured unit or an OEM new one only if you are going to keep the car for any length of time. It takes only a very small amount of dirt, water, salt, or road-grime getting into the joint to begin the destruction in earnest.

    If you are charged 3 hours, that would be absolute TOPS for this job - like they never want to see you again time.
     
  14. DevChatt

    DevChatt Junior Member

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    Thank you both!

    @John- that is a good tip! I will be doing that in the future now that I know! I will check Amazon as well.



    @05- haha...I guess this is a joint dealership with Toyota and ford...doubt it makes a difference but maybe. I'm gonna keep the car going for a bit, so I'm def gonna have to have a good look at this . Are you saying 3 hours is the absolute max? Probably could find someone to do it for a little less hopefully...

    I think I'm slightly confused by what you are saying...is it not worthwhile to replace the boot now but rather wait until i hear clicking (I.e made it to the axle) and then replace the axle with a trustworthy reman / after or Oem? rather than just replace the boot?


    Yeah the original dealer I went to said I'm better replacing the boot only because replacing with an OEM axle has a price difference from 450 to 750 bucks...

    Although an aftermarket axle according to dealer too installed is 350. A savings of that much is tremendous!
     
  15. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    I'm not sure dealerships are obligated to install only OEM parts.

    Maybe apples/oranges, but I've had a Honda dealership install an aftermarket starter. They offered both OEM and aftermarket.
     
  16. 05PreeUs

    05PreeUs Senior Member

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    They better hope HNA does not catch them! Most, if not all, franchise agreements stipulate OEM sourced parts. Of course these could be new, remanufactured, rebuilt and in a few cases even core parts.

    Can you get a Wendy's burger at McD's? Nope.
     
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  17. 05PreeUs

    05PreeUs Senior Member

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    Yes, 3 MAX.

    You are in the RUST BELT, weather you replace the boot, or axle, now - you will be replacing the axle! The likelihood that grease got out and crud did not get in, is, well.... not good.
     
  18. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

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    Having a dealer do the repair is nuts having a dealer just replace the boot is even nuttier.
    There's nothing special at all about the cv joints on your car there like any other car. There's an inner joint and an outer joint.
    Go online to Toyota parts and buy an oem joint and the boot.
    Take it to any reputable tire store and they replace cv joints so day long.
    Replace the joint and the boot. Looks like an outer which is good as inner require trans fluid replacement. But you will need a front end alignment also,
    I looked online and an oem complete outer joint including boot is $200.
    2 hours labor at tire kingdom is around $ 450 out the door.

    I highly recommend oem Toyota parts. I would not use aftermarket cv joints. It's usually Chinese crap.I know of no Toyota dealer that use crappy after market parts they have to warranty. Why would they? They sell parts. The parts they sell fit your car guaranteed and work perfectly.

    My local Toyota dealer is $140 an hour. My local pretty competent Tire Kingdom is $110. My local mechanic is $80 an hour.
     
    #18 edthefox5, Aug 12, 2017
    Last edited: Aug 12, 2017
  19. 05PreeUs

    05PreeUs Senior Member

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    From the photo, it looks like the RH out boot and therefore axle. That is the one that typically sees the most slop, puddles etc.

    New OEM axles for the RH side run $350-$450, so the price you got from the dealer was very respectable given it seemingly included labor.

    Olathe Toyota is generally competitive on parts pricing, but there is a tremendous amount of "wiggle room" in the installed price of any OEM part at a dealer. Certain parts have 1000% markup (that's 10x folks!).

    RockAuto and others sell name-brand rebuilt/remanufactured axles for about 1/4 or less of the dealer quote. Given the number of rebuilt/remanufactured parts I have installed in my life and then Uninstalled due to premature failure, 50% is the MOST I am willing to pay for any reman part including installation.

    OEM: Axle Assembly - Toyota (43410-47020)

    Not: 2005 TOYOTA PRIUS 1.5L L4 ELECTRIC/GAS CV Half Shaft Assembly | RockAuto

    Ironically, the rebuilt ones are on the order of 10% the cost of new price on-line.

    My currently preferred option is recycled parts, but in most cases I am doing the install myself. Anything electrical other than batteries and switches is recycled and most drivetrain parts are too. There are TONS of clean low-mileage cars with excellent gently used parts on them for cheap money.
     
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  20. DevChatt

    DevChatt Junior Member

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    Cool Thank you both.

    Both dealers said replace the boot, but it seems more logical to just replace the entire axle for contingency reasons...

    450 from the dealer was just to replace the boot.. to replace the axle was more along the lines of 750!!! Hence to save money, i may look for a remanufactured axle and go with that and find someone to do the labor.



    So it seems the best thing to do is buy a OEM axle and go to any mechanic (cheapest) to do the install...Definetly do not trust the aftermarkets then versus OEM's?