If anyone's interested here's a great option for the big OEM clamp for the inner CV boot

If anyone's interested here's a great option for the big OEM clamp for the inner CV boot.

I just rebooted my low mileage axles with OEM boot kits but don't like the big clamp for the inner boot. I think it's a low profile and can't get it tight.

I bought some at McMaster-Carr which are p/n 52545K107, 76.8 to 80mm X 7mm wide, 10 pack. It’s an Oetiker stepless ear clamp.

They worked great.

https://www.mcmaster.com/52545K107/

OEM on left

 

Full list of rolled-edge worm drive clamps is HERE also. Props to @ToyotaDude for putting that together.

Worm drive is convenient way to shore up the tightness of the boots for lifted/leveled trucks. But you don't want to use any old clamp, you need something with a rolled edge so it doesn't slice thru the boot.

 

Your link is not working.

I liked these because they look factory. They are snug on the boot before tightening so you can really tighten them down.

 

Fixed!

And I get it, they are tight if you get the correct diameter clamp. But what I'll say about OEM Oetiker style clamps is, they tend to index to a certain degree, so a lot of people - professionals included - have a hard time getting them tight enough they won't sling grease, especially with any appreciable amount of lift.

I remember one guy on here who had to take a ferry back/forth with his truck to get service. Shop tried two or three times to get the Oetikers tight enough, he just kept repeatedly slinging grease. I don't remember if he ever got it resolved; I feel like he was ready to sell the truck out of frustration.

My link is only to share there are additional options for lifted 1st gen trucks.

 

Glad you got it fixed.

Whole set of rolled edge clamps from the right source might be cheaper than the clamping tool, so folks like them for that reason in addition to what @shifty mentioned for tightening against slinging, and also because they are re-usable if/when rebooting.

Link seems to load, but here's the info on the clamps from post for the future:

 

Thank you all for this helpful information! I am in the process of ordering a rebuild kit and want to use the roll edge clamps for ease of use. There are 3 sizes of hose clamps... How many of each size do I need to rebuild 2 cv axles? I assume 4x of the 25-40mm, but am not sure how many to get of the 70-90mm and 90-110mm. Thanks!

 

I think you are correct with 4 25-40mm and would get two of the other sizes. I haven't actually rebuilt my axles yet so I can not confirm. But I'm pretty sure the axle boot kit from Toyota comes with new clamps in the 25-40 and 70-90 size. I'm not at home so I can't confirm that yet.

 

I feel like this should be stickied, or maybe thrown into the master list. @shifty` what do you think?

 

If your current OEM bands are intact, it's best you audit for your specific situation.

All Oetiker style clamps have the proper diameter stamped into them. Note the "38.1" and the "78.4" on the clamps for my OEM axle? That's the metric measure. You want a clamp that falls in the middle, ideally. For 78.4 clamp, 70-90 is proper. 38.1 you'd want 30-50 if available. If not, it's better to use a clamp where your diameter is at the higher-end, so you don't have a ton of extra strap hanging loose. (in which case, yes, 25-40 is the better option)

If you expand the quoted post from @ToyotaDude above, you'll see a full list of links to clamps sizes. Look at your straps, figure out what the inner and outer boots are using on each side, and order accordingly. That's my 2¢.

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Thank you sir! I just added a pack of them to my existing shopping cart. So far my temporary panduit (zip-tie) has been holding up just fine for the past year, but i want to be prepared to fix it correctly at some point.