Do thermoplastic CV boots last much longer over neoprene?

[nobb]

I have a 1998 Toyota 4Runner which I put a mild 3" lift on and I'm starting to get super annoyed that the CV boots seem to last only 2 years tops before they blow. I've tried various brands, but the aftermarkets seem to only be made of neoprene. I do have lifetime warranty on my Napa ones, but even if I can swap them for free it's still a huge pain. My lift is very mild such that the boots aren't rubbing, but they seem to just naturally develop cracks over time.

There is an OEM Toyota kit which includes the grease and appears to use the standard thermoplastic boots. The problem is that I'm in Canada so it's $300 shipped for a pair of these.

So will the thermoplastic boots last that much longer to justify having to pay that much more? Or would a regular application of rubber protectant such as 303 help?

What are your guys' experience with CV boots?

 

[NO2]

You should have your product shipped to one of the border specialists and they will hold it for you to pickup. They have offices at all of the major crossings. It will cost a lot less than $300.

 

[Snagglefoot]

Originally Posted by NO2
You should have your product shipped to one of the border specialists and they will hold it for you to pickup. They have offices at all of the major crossings. It will cost a lot less than $300.


For Alberta and SE BC, use Montana Shipping in Sweetgrass and Eureka.

Another poor-boy fix are the split boots held together by Locktite 401 that are sold by Rock Auto. Probably won't last but easy to install.

 

[andyd]

Just a WAG. Is the 3" lift putting too much angle on the joint?

 

[nobb]

Originally Posted by andyd
Just a WAG. Is the 3" lift putting too much angle on the joint?

It's extra stress for sure, but the boots aren't rubbing.

After much searching I think I can get the price for two re-boot kits for $230 CAD shipped. Still a tough pill to swallow but I want to make sure thermoplastic is the way to go in a slightly lifted application.

 

[Pelican]

Originally Posted by nobb
I There is an OEM Toyota kit which includes the grease and appears to use the standard thermoplastic boots. The problem is that I'm in Canada so it's $300 shipped for a pair of these.


So why can't your Toyota dealer get these? If they are OEM he ought to be able to do this and save you all the shipping costs.

 

[Trav]

Call Rockford about their Duraboots, yours is not in their outdated catalog but if you have the measurements they will set you up for about $25ea. These boots will outlast the vehicle.

http://www.rockfordcv.com/rcvboot.htm

 

[user52165]

This is a good question.Does anyone have an answer? Neoprene or thermoplastic?

Years ago, on 86 and 87 Hondas, I was replacing boots regularly. Now on a 2001 Sonata, 07 Civic, and 2013 Santa Fe, all original, never touched. What did they do differently?

 

[Oscar_Ruitt]

The only time I ever had CV boots go bad was a few months after I used some rubber protectant on them, thinking it would he a good idea. Maybe spraying something on them is the problem. I am only a sample of 1, so hard to say it's certain, but I have always figured I killed those boots. Maybe the boot compound is designed to withstand CV grease, but maybe not whatever is on armorall.

 

[Trav]

Originally Posted by user52165
This is a good question.Does anyone have an answer? Neoprene or thermoplastic?

Years ago, on 86 and 87 Hondas, I was replacing boots regularly. Now on a 2001 Sonata, 07 Civic, and 2013 Santa Fe, all original, never touched. What did they do differently?


Thermoplastic will outlast Neoprene many times over.

 

[nobb]

Originally Posted by Oscar_Ruitt
The only time I ever had CV boots go bad was a few months after I used some rubber protectant on them, thinking it would he a good idea. Maybe spraying something on them is the problem. I am only a sample of 1, so hard to say it's certain, but I have always figured I killed those boots. Maybe the boot compound is designed to withstand CV grease, but maybe not whatever is on armorall.


Interesting, what rubber protectant did you use? I noticed the local Canadian Tire has this Kleen-Flo rubber protectant produce that's advertised could be used on CV boots. But perhaps keeping them dry and clean is better.

https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/kleen-flo-rubber-care-185-g-0381573p.html

 

[nobb]

Originally Posted by Trav
Call Rockford about their Duraboots, yours is not in their outdated catalog but if you have the measurements they will set you up for about $25ea. These boots will outlast the vehicle.

http://www.rockfordcv.com/rcvboot.htm


Thank you! I will send them an email and see what they say. I was eyeing their products but their catalogue doesn't list my vehicle. I do have a spare set of boots I can give them the measurements though!

 

[toytaco970]

Replacing CV boots on a lifted toyota is pretty much a regular maintenance item. I had an 05 Tacoma lifted 3", and now an 03 4Runner also lifted 3". Every 2-3 years (~25k miles) since 2005 I have been changing CV axles. I've tried the high angle boots, thermoplastic, you name it, and they all seem to go after a few years. I have not read anything in toyota forums on the rockford duraboots though. I have had better luck lately with stretching the boot out a little farther so the boot fins/ribs aren't rubbing against each other. Now I just swap out new axle assemblies instead of messing with the boots now since you have to pull it out anyway and they are so cheap. Changing boots is a smelly, messy PITA job. Some say OEM toyota axles are stronger, but unless you are doing some rough off-roading, the aftermarket axles work just fine. I've been using the Napa MaxDrive axles most recently and its been 3.5 years, 50k and counting on those.

 

[nobb]

Originally Posted by toytaco970
Replacing CV boots on a lifted toyota is pretty much a regular maintenance item. I had an 05 Tacoma lifted 3", and now an 03 4Runner also lifted 3". Every 2-3 years (~25k miles) since 2005 I have been changing CV axles. I've tried the high angle boots, thermoplastic, you name it, and they all seem to go after a few years. I have not read anything in toyota forums on the rockford duraboots though. I have had better luck lately with stretching the boot out a little farther so the boot fins/ribs aren't rubbing against each other. Now I just swap out new axle assemblies instead of messing with the boots now since you have to pull it out anyway and they are so cheap. Changing boots is a smelly, messy PITA job. Some say OEM toyota axles are stronger, but unless you are doing some rough off-roading, the aftermarket axles work just fine. I've been using the Napa MaxDrive axles most recently and its been 3.5 years, 50k and counting on those.


So even the thermoplastic boots are wearing out? Have you noticed that they last any longer than neoprene, and have you been going with the OEM thermoplastic? Also, what part of them has been wearing out for you?

Upon inspection, although there are rub marks on the large ribs of both the inner and outer joint, they are relatively minor after 2 years. My issue seems to be cracking around the flex areas. The boot stretch mods I've seen are targeted around the inner boot, but my failures have been around the outer boot. When comparing the worn boots, the outer joint has deeper cracks, indicating that it's being over-extended more. In contrast, the inner boot should outlast the boot 2x judging by the wear pattern.

 

[02SE]

3" on a 3rd gen is actually quite a bit of lift for the CV axles. The 3rd gen is a fairly narrow vehicle, so a 3" lift put the CV axles at a steeper angle than they would be in a wider 4th or 5th gen model. People do diff drops to decrease the angle on the CV Axles, but the diff drop kits can also put the diff at an angle, which can starve the pinion bearings of oil, and lead to issues there.

You could go down to a 2" lift, try the various aftermarket boots that are claimed to help the issue, or just plan on regular boot replacement. IMO the OEM boots are the longest lasting.

I recently sold my '97 4Runner. It had new '99 Highlander springs on it (about 1" higher than new standard springs) and the 22 year old CVboots were the originals with no issues.

 

[Oscar_Ruitt]

Originally Posted by nobb
Originally Posted by Oscar_Ruitt
The only time I ever had CV boots go bad was a few months after I used some rubber protectant on them, thinking it would he a good idea. Maybe spraying something on them is the problem. I am only a sample of 1, so hard to say it's certain, but I have always figured I killed those boots. Maybe the boot compound is designed to withstand CV grease, but maybe not whatever is on armorall.


Interesting, what rubber protectant did you use? I noticed the local Canadian Tire has this Kleen-Flo rubber protectant produce that's advertised could be used on CV boots. But perhaps keeping them dry and clean is better.

https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/kleen-flo-rubber-care-185-g-0381573p.html


Most likely black magic if I recall correctly - the bluish stuff that smells fruity. Pretty nice looking on dashboards and tires, but sure seemed like it killed my CV boots based on the timing.

 

[nobb]

So I called RockFord and unfortunately they don't make any CV boots for a 1998 4Runner.

After MUCH catalog browsing, I found these the dimensions for the OEM boot as per the EMPI website (I do NOT want this brand because they are neoprene). Part number 86-2320:

Browsing Rockford's catalog, a similar design that may work is the 335-10A for a 1995 VW Jetta
http://www.rockfordcv.com/pdfstore/Boot_Assemblies.PDF

The dimensions appear close enough, with some minor stretching. There are also less lobes to rub around. Assuming the fitment is close enough, RockAuto also has some Vaico branded boots for a 1995 Jetta that are made from Thermoplastic. What do you guys think? Try it out?