Symptoms
Grease flung around the wheel well, a split boot, clicking on turns once dirt gets in. Lifted trucks with excessive droop tear boots on the lower control arm.
The fix, step by step
- Jack only the side you're working on (keeps diff oil in), pull the wheel, unbolt the brake-line bracket (10 mm) and ABS sensor (12 mm), free the tie-rod end (19 mm castle nut) and remove the 35 mm axle nut.
- Unbolt the LCA (2 × 19 mm), swing the hub away and release the axle from the diff by tapping the inner cup while rotating it until the internal clip lines up.
- Mark the tripod and rollers, remove the C-clip, swap both boots with the kit's yellow (inner) and black (outer) grease, crimp the clamps with proper pliers — over-tightening tore Trail4R's on the trail — and refit with red Loctite on the LCA bolts and anti-seize on the hub splines.
Tools & part numbers
- OEM CV boot kit 04427-60131
- optional dust cover 41336-35020 and axle nut 90178-28002
- 19/35 mm sockets
- impact or breaker bar
- CV clamp pliers
- retaining-ring pliers
- torque wrench (50–250 ft-lb)
Where to buy the parts
CV boot kit, inner + outer (Toyota 04427-60131)ToyotaPartsDeal (Toyota OEM) ↗Amazon ↗
CV dust cover (optional) (Toyota 41336-35020)ToyotaPartsDeal (Toyota OEM) ↗Amazon ↗
Front axle nut (optional) (Toyota 90178-28002)ToyotaPartsDeal (Toyota OEM) ↗Amazon ↗
Hunting a used or discontinued part? Search eBay Motors for Toyota 4Runner 5th Gen parts →
Rated for a competent home mechanic with a decent tool kit. Confirm torque figures, fluids and procedures against the factory service manual for your VIN, support the truck on stands rather than a jack, and work at your own risk (disclaimer). Some parts links are affiliate links, which pay us a small commission at no cost to you.