dyeguy1212

iTrader: (1)

Should be fine. Your CVs don't spin in 2wd. I'd limit how much 4wd you're using.


I'd also check to make sure your IWEs are working. Start the truck up in 2wd, jack up a front tire, and spin it. If the CV moves, you've got an issue with the IWE/vacuum lines, or both.

Mod (Ret.)

Ripped boots can be a pain to repair with silicone (to seal the rip). Besides, you don't know if water or dirt has entered the hole, and caused any eventual wear or damage, so trying to seal the rip now would be a moot point.
As stated, since this is a front wheel axle, it's not spinning the CV jointed axle unless you have your 4 wheel engaged. As to further damage, hard to say. If you go off 4 wheeling in mud, dirt, or water, the chances are good something will get into that rip, and into the CV joint.
As others have said, replace the entire CV shaft when funds come about.

RA010223

I ripped my boot installing my leveling kit. I also replaced the boot. It can be done fairly easy with the right tools and it is about a half days project. The entire shaft has to come out of the truck and the shaft has to be disassembled. You will need snap ring pliers and a big press of some sorts along with everything you needed for leveling kit install and a bench top vise will not replace the press needed. I have the clamps that are shown in your picture from ford but did not use them as I did not have to proper tool to tighten them so I just used large hose clamps. It is a very messy job with all that grease in there and even though there is a ton that flung out in that area there is still a ton left in there trust me, lots of rags needed. A parts cleaner or something similar to clean and remove all grease that may have gotten dirty from debris entering and associated parts. 10,000 miles and mine is still good. If you like projects like this and have the proper tools available for the job like I do then go ahead but if I had to do it again and with the miles I have on my truck (120,000) the fairly low price for new shafts is the route I would take like already mentioned. You could try the RTV temporary fix like already mentioned as well, I don't have any experience with this solution but good luck getting it to adhere to that boot. Cleaning it enough will be a chore and if you have to use the 4WD the rotation and flexing the boot makes along with the centripetal force I cant imagine it staying on for long. This is a long shot but if you just wanted to contain the grease and not making a mess you could try and wrapping it with plastic and holding it with zip ties, again long shot if that would work or not. Sorry for the long read.

ReaperHWK

Yes, I don't think your description for changing this classifies as "Fairly easy". Like I said I started this, got to the part where I took off the old boots and I was swimming in grease and then threw it all in the garbage


Oh yeah, and if you buy the clamps and boots from Ford, it costs more than a aftermarket CV axle!

RA010223

With the proper tools being just the bearing press it can be easy, he has already installed a leveling kit the next step would be get the shaft out.

I bought my boot from Rockout for 14$ and it came with the clamps. Before I started the job and ordered the parts I went to Ford and they gave me the clamps boot was not in stock or to far out. Purchased my truck and wife's car from them a year earlier so I guess they felt bad so I got the clamps free ordered the boot my self and came with clamps.

OP if you feel like tackling this go for it, there are youtube videos out there on replacing the boot. I would just replace the entire shaft like I and others have suggested.

Project_Red

I'm not worried about getting my hands dirty lol! But I'm looking into some aftermarkets that are really strong because I go hard on my truck. But it all depends on the money at the time but I might just replace the old boots and grease with the new boots.