I have put in 3 front axles in a short amount of time because the boots keep splitting. I have no idea why this is happening, I don't have any leveling or lift kit added and its all stock suspension. Removing them has been a nightmare each time, so I'd rather not have to keep doing this, plus the $100 or so for the part.

The only change to the truck is I replaced the stock 18"? wheels with 20" wheels from a later model Ram. This maybe lifted the tuck 1" or so I'm guessing with wheel height not being that different (I don't believe) the axle shaft maybe sits at 5 degrees give or take, nothing extreme.

Any insight on why this is happening would be great. I don't go off-road and it sees mostly highway miles because I work from home and use it to get groceries or to drag my kayak to the boat ramp.

Driver side turned front view

Driver side turned back view

Driver side wheel straight

Passenger side turned front view

Passenger side turned back view

 

Maybe the boots are low quality? They sell these split boots you can look into.... this is just an example so search for your model....

 

That is most likely the case... but here's the history:
Original boot splits on drivers side with over 200k miles on the truck - Advance replacement axle put in on both sides assuming the other would go soon.
Less than 12 months later Drivers side splits again. Advance replaces with new axle, previous brand discontinued.
12 months later Passenger side splits - replaced with same part from Advance
3 months from that point - Drivers side again splits.

I am thinking trying those universal split boots - can't be any worse than the $140 axles that are failing every so many months and that would be worse if I my son wasn't a mechanic and I had to pay labor.

 

If there isn't any obvious signs of something contacting the boot, (and I don't see any), gotta be poor quality boots. They last just long enough for the warranty to expire..... then fail. Maybe an axle from a better quality manufacturer?? Though, I would hate to think how much Mopar wants for 'em.....

 

$462.79 right and $515.79 left on Rock Auto for Mopar

I may call the dealership for giggles.

 

Wonder if you could just get boot kits from Dodge? Pull the axles, change the boots, call it a day??

 

Advance has a lot of lifetime warranty parts... if those are lifetime, you may be able to just get your $ back and buy something else. I think they'll also upgrade a level if you complain - I think I did that with brake pads once. I think I just paid the difference.

RockAuto sells the MoPar boots separate, could go that direction as well.

 

silly question but are you sure that you are not overtightening your axel nut and stretching your boots?

 

Axle nut gets torqued to some truly stupid value, 185ft/lbs or more.... and shouldn't affect the boots one way or another.

 

Ok gotcha. I could have sworn i was putting the ugaduga to mine one time and i could see the boots stretching like an accordion. And yea that 185lb was at my poor Harbor Freight's torque wrench's limits !!!!