Front CV Axle Boot Leaking

Discussion in 'Gen 4 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by ColoradoBoo, Jul 22, 2026 at 11:36 AM.

  1. ColoradoBoo

    ColoradoBoo Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 19, 2019
    1,345
    968
    4
    Location:
    Monument, Colorado USA
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    So I have my first issue in my 2021 Prius AWD....the CV Axle boot on the front/driver's side is leaking. I'm not surprised...we have about a 5-mile stretch on one of the roads I drove on with 1-2 inch gaps across the road about every 300 feet and it's a pretty harsh thump on the suspension when driving over them.

    Toyota sells the replacement axles for around $500 but, also, has a CV Boot repair kit. (04428-47060) for around $65...pretty cool they have those.

    Has anyone done this job? I've watched the Car Care Nut do it on an SUV and I'd have to buy a couple of tools I don't have. (Brass hammer, regular and small crimper, expansion crimp clamper, etc.)
     
  2. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk MMX GEN III

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2010
    61,463
    42,293
    80
    Location:
    Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    Never done anything remotely that involved, but curious: does the joint have to be disassembled? Having a hard time picturing how you could wrestle boots off and on otherwise.

    It'd be empowering to be able to DIY this; we've had a few boot tears over the years.

    Did watch The Car Care Nut rebuilding a CV joint, was very involved. Might have been the same video.
     
  3. BiomedO1

    BiomedO1 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 27, 2021
    4,543
    2,391
    0
    Location:
    Left Coast
    Vehicle:
    2021 Prius Prime
    Model:
    LE
    Depending on how much dirt/grime has gotten into the CV axle grease - I usually replace the entire axle. Most parts store will give you a lifetime warranty on them. Since you think that this is going to be an ongoing issue - I would probably go that route. I have noticed that sometimes those re-manufactured axles are out of balance - so you may have to do it again, but it does have a lifetime warranty.

    What to do?????
     
  4. ColoradoBoo

    ColoradoBoo Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 19, 2019
    1,345
    968
    4
    Location:
    Monument, Colorado USA
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Oh it doesn't look too difficult to remove the axle, remove the clamps and old boots, and install new ones with new grease with clamps.....very interesting video. (He makes it look easy...I'm sure it'll take me much longer.)