Question, I have an old Camry with cracked and ripped CV boots. The joints are fine the rubber is just old. Are those split repair boots worth the time or should I rip the axles out and replace the boots with "normal" ones?

Thanks



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In short; No the split boots are worthless, pull the axels and replace the boots the right way.

Considering the time & effort involved, whats the cost difference between 4 new boots or two reman axles?

Just an aside.
I have found that if I never turn my wheels to full lock, the CV boots last a very long time.

How many miles on this car?  TBH if it has high miles and you are going to reboot, just replace the whole axle.  Yes I get you feel OEM is the best, and that is fine, buy OEM, but, depending on miles, and the fact that the boot has been torn and you have no idea if any water or dirt has gotten in there and caused any damage, why do all that work and NOT replace the axle?

Some people follow the rule of replace just whats needed, but in some cases like this, when it is a fair amount of work, why do it twice if you plan to keep the car?  Sort of like replacing in inner tie rod and using the old tie rod end, just doesn't make sense to me.

If it were me, I would be a good brand (not some autozone cheap brand) axle with the CV factory greased and booted and slap it in.

Keep in mind, despite what many people think, most parts, in fact almost all parts on cars are made by a third party and you can buy those exact same parts to the exact or better specs in the aftermarket cheaper than OEM.  The reason people have failed aftermarket parts is because they buy the cheapest crap they can find.  Go to a good site like Rock Auto and get good parts for good prices.  Even Amazon sells high end parts for amazingly low prices; just research what you want and need then compare prices.  The same part from Amazon, Rock Auto, Napa, etc doesn't matter, if it is the same part.

For example, the end links on my stabilizer bar were worn at only 45k, now I could have put OEM in there for about $30 or I could put Moog greasable, lifetime guaranteed ones in there for $22 (from Amazon) which do you suppose is better?  Yep the Moog ones and they were CHEAPER.  There is cheap aftermarket crap and there is less expensive but quality aftermarket parts, it pays to research.

The ONLY parts I feel OEM are best at are brake pads, for some reason OEM pads tend to last far longer than any other brand I have tried, regardless of vehicle.

IMHO of course.

The car has about 60k on it but it sat in a garage for 15+ years. The boots just recently cracked.

I've never had a CV go out on me. I do however need to replace a seal on the front axle on the Explorer. The down side is i have to pop the ball joints on the spindle to get the CV out.

Having a 2000 Chevy Silverado with over 220k on it, I can see the reluctance on spending alot of money on CV boots when the motor could fall out of the car tomorrow.


   However, I too have found the split boots to be crap.



    Clean and regrease...The give her a good pair of boots. With that many miles on it the motor and tranny are good.


Put a screen and fresh fluid in it yet if its an Automatic?