Replaced The CV Boot on the Highlander

I went into Amazon and looked up those boot spreaders. While they have several listed for around $70 I looked and a few had a generic boot with them. I was curious if my suspicion was correct. I read the comments. Many people say they don't work with HD boots...or basically the OE style boot that is one an axle originally. They say it only works with the very rubbery boot that comes with it. It's most likely a different type rubber more a silicone thinner rubber vs a very thick rubber. The three or four reviews I read said that it won't work with normal boots and therefore is worthless really .

 

Yeah i didn't watch any of the video except :30 i mentioned. I was just looking for the tool i remember from back in high school auto shop. Not exactly the same but the fingers are what i remember. Definitely not the way I'd do it on my own stuff was just showing what's out there. I'll bet a $70 amazon tool isn't quite the same as a pro tool tho. Rubbers pretty amazing stuff if enough force is applied and it doesn't rip.

 

This is the style boot. This universal type that can go on many different size axles but in the description it even talks about these boot stretcher things and being a more flexible boot.

 

Yeah that was a hack job for sure...

 

Yeah that was kinda a sarcastic remark. In the shop we would always give the option of changing the boot or replacing the shaft with aftermarket. All said and done it was usually cheaper it replace with aftermarket. I’m a factory parts only guy as well.

 

Yea if I was billing the job probably would of been cheaper to replace with an aftermarket. But me planning on keeping this and knowing the junk rebuild axles that exist I don't want those. Many admit to just cleaning and rebooting them. Now if there isn't any wear on the joint and it's fine that's all it needs but it's really a kind of smoke and mirrors deal.