Leaking CV joint?

[Grey]

Help me diagnose this. I have an idea what it is, but don’t know why it happened or how hard it is to fix.

Was changing my oil today after a trip to the beach last week and noticed the inside of my passenger front wheel and suspension coated with grease. I checked the boot around the CV and didn’t see any obvious cracks, but based on where it is, I have no other idea what it could be. Pic shows what I’m talking about, grease is a grayish white color. Is this a torn CV boot? I NEVER drive in 4wd. It’s been all Highway for the 6k miles I’ve owned it. Only 13k total.

 

[GETGONE]

It only takes a small pinhole or slit for the grease to exit stage left! Time to take it to the dealer for warranty!

 

[Baz]

I second that

 

[Trail_Boss_6.2]

It’s unanimous.. let the dealer handle it.

 

[mrcolieman]

Yep, bad boot... No hubs to unlock on these new modern trucks so axles are moving at wheel speed. Don't wait too long or you'll need a CV joint as well!

 

[Jmzvet]

Sometimes they are defective from the manufacturer. I have 4 kids. Happens with condoms too.

 

[Gangly]

Definitely CV grease. Get the boot replaced and you will be as good as new.

Unfortunately, many techs don't don't know how to secure the boot fasteners properly and wind up tearing the new boots when installing the steel bands, so keep an eye on the boots after they are replaced. If they aren't leaking in the first 100 miles, you should be good.

 

[Grey]

It’s unanimous.. let the dealer handle it.

Thanks everyone. I was 99% sure when I saw it, but appreciate the confirmation.

Called the dealer and made an appointment to have them take a look. I have never gone to dealer to fix anything on a vehicle because all my previous stuff has been OOW before I bought it.

Dealer already throwing around the notion that the SST kit caused the issue therefore no warranty coverage. Hasn’t seen it yet, but says the increased angle of the shaft would cause the boot to rub and degrade. There’s only 13k on the clock. I don’t think anything would degrade that fast. I’ll fill you all in once I meet with them.

 

[clstark7]

Thanks everyone. I was 99% sure when I saw it, but appreciate the confirmation.

Called the dealer and made an appointment to have them take a look. I have never gone to dealer to fix anything on a vehicle because all my previous stuff has been OOW before I bought it.

Dealer already throwing around the notion that the SST kit caused the issue therefore no warranty coverage. Hasn’t seen it yet, but says the increased angle of the shaft would cause the boot to rub and degrade. There’s only 13k on the clock. I don’t think anything would degrade that fast. I’ll fill you all in once I meet with them.

Good luck! According to the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, they must prove that your SST kit caused the issue in order to deny warranty coverage. I would fight them on that for sure if it comes down to it. Maybe be prepared to get a favorable opinion from another ASE-certified mechanic if needed. Because I agree, it still shouldn't be shot with that few of miles on it. I would lean on that argument for sure.

 

[2KWIK2C]

Sometimes they are defective from the manufacturer. I have 4 kids. Happens with condoms too.

 

[Grey]

Good luck! According to the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, they must prove that your SST kit caused the issue in order to deny warranty coverage. I would fight them on that for sure if it comes down to it. Maybe be prepared to get a favorable opinion from another ASE-certified mechanic if needed. Because I agree, it still shouldn't be shot with that few of miles on it. I would lean on that argument for sure.

I agree, but I don't know how much of a fight I want to put up. It sucks that it failed right after I put on the SST kit, so part of me wonders if I tore something during the install.

Looking around, it looks like I can get a new GM axle for about $190 from GM parts direct, and the install seems like less work than I thought. No YouTube videos of our trucks, but a walkthrough from GMtucks....

Need to Replace a CV Axle? Here is how.

I had busted boots on my axles on both sides of my truck. At the end of last year the dealer was going to replace them under warranty so they ordered the parts which were back ordered and took a month to get them so when I went back for them to replace them, they decided they would not be able to...

www.gm-trucks.com

Im headed out of the country here soon and I would like to get it done before I leave rather than have to wait. Anyone taken on this project themselves yet?

 

[GETGONE]

I have numerous times on my 08 Avalanche, but that bolts on to the diff. On the T1 trucks it somehow snaps into the diff. I think you just push in then pull out hard to get it to come loose, but I've yet to see any clear video or instruction how exactly it works. You were 99% of the way there putting your lift on.

 

[Grey]

I have numerous times on my 08 Avalanche, but that bolts on to the diff. On the T1 trucks it somehow snaps into the diff. I think you just push in then pull out hard to get it to come loose, but I've yet to see any clear video or instruction how exactly it works. You were 99% of the way there putting your lift on.

That’s what I figured.

I would feel 10X more comfortable doing it if I saw one video with that diff side of the axle removed but everything else looks pretty standard.

I’ve got one more dealer I’m taking it to in town to see if they want to cover it, but I’m not running all over town or spending hours on the phone with Chevy for a $200 job.

 

[Trail_Boss_6.2]

That’s what I figured.

I would feel 10X more comfortable doing it if I saw one video with that diff side of the axle removed but everything else looks pretty standard.

I’ve got one more dealer I’m taking it to in town to see if they want to cover it, but I’m not running all over town or spending hours on the phone with Chevy for a $200 job.

Wondering how you made out with this. Did you find a video and did you replace the axle yourself?

 

[Transient]

2 things here:

1) You're going to have a very difficult time defending a warranty claim with the ReadyLift SST kit installed, exorcism if you did it yourself. ReadyLift was very adamant about being super careful with the CV axle. They made it sound like if you looked at it wrong it would tear. Since that's in writing, and floating around on the internet, it won't be hard for them to use that against you to deny warranty service. If the dealership had done the install they'd be on the hook for the torn boot.

2) I haven't looked at how/where the CV is installed, but based on another person's comment it sounds like you may need to rent a slide hammer tool specific to removing CV axles from a place like Auto Zone or Advance.