Parts for your 2005 Toyota Highlander-Cv boots

2005 Toyota Highlander (Kluger) CV boots — purpose and servicing

CV boots are absolutely used on the 2005 Toyota Highlander (known as Kluger in Australia and New Zealand). Technical references including the Toyota repair manual for the XU20 platform and Toyota’s Electronic Parts Catalogue list front drive shafts with inboard and outboard CV joint boots on both 2WD and AWD models, and rear CV boots on AWD models. That makes CV boots very relevant to routine servicing of this vehicle.

On this Highlander/Kluger, a CV boot is the flexible rubber bellows that seals grease around each constant velocity joint and keeps grit, water, and road grime out. The boot’s whole job is protection and lubrication: it holds the correct molybdenum-disulphide grease in place while the joint articulates as the wheels steer and the suspension moves. When the boot splits or a clamp loosens, grease gets flung out and contaminants get in, fast-tracking wear and that tell-tale clicking on turns.

Good servicing treats CV boots as a regular inspection item. Sensible intervals are at every service or at least every 10,000–15,000 kilometres. A quick look behind the front wheels (and the rear on AWD) will usually spot issues early. Look for:

• Grease spatter on the inner rims, underbody, or strut
• Cracks in the rubber bellows, especially at the folds
• Loose or missing boot bands/clamps
• Clicking or clunking on full lock after rain or off-road use

If a boot is cracked or leaking, replacing the boot before the joint is contaminated can save the cost of a complete axle. A proper job means removing the shaft, cleaning the joint, packing fresh CV grease to spec, and fitting new clamps. Quality matters: genuine or high-grade aftermarket neoprene boots and stainless bands hold up better to Aussie and Kiwi heat and road spray. The front hub nut on these vehicles is a staked, single-use type—workshops should follow the Toyota manual for torque and re-staking.

Owners who do regular beach runs or gravel touring should consider more frequent checks, sand and salt are unforgiving. With timely inspection and quality parts, the factory CV joints on a 2005 Highlander/Kluger typically last the distance without drama.

Popular questions

Do all 2005 Toyota Highlanders have CV boots?
Yes. Both front-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive models have front CV joints with boots. AWD versions also have rear CV axles, each with their own boots. This is confirmed in Toyota’s service literature and the parts catalogue for the XU20 platform.

How often should CV boots be checked or replaced?
Inspection every service or 10,000–15,000 km works well. Replace a boot as soon as it’s cracked, leaking, or a clamp is loose. Catching a split early usually prevents costly CV joint or axle replacement.

Are split-boot kits a good idea on a 2005 Highlander/Kluger?
They’re a stop-gap at best. A full boot replacement with the joint cleaned and re-packed with the correct moly grease is the reliable, long-term fix for this vehicle.