CV Axle replacement

Hey guys,

I was told a couple weeks ago as I was getting my front tires replaced that the front right upper, and the front left lower ball joints are shot. And I already ordered all four ball joints to replace, because why not. But I’ve been replacing all of my fluids the past couple days and figured I’d take a look at the CV axles for shits and giggles. Turns out my driver side needs to be replaced. In looking up the part on eBay Motors, it looks like most four-wheel-drive Toyota made cars use the same CV axles.

Is that wrong? Is it Tacoma specific?

Does anyone have any good links for CV axles?

I figure if I’m already going to be messing around in the wheel well, might as well get as much stuff done as I can.


Thank you, friends

 

Why do you need to replace it?

Unless the boot is ripped, you'd just leave them alone. Good chance you'll mess up your CV axle seal then you'd have to go back in and replace that.

You want to stick with OEM; don't go into a shop and have them replace it (they'll take your OEM and give you a crappy parts-store axle).

As for the CV axle itself, I can't confirm for 3rd Gen but 2nd Gen, 4th Gen 4Runner, and GX470's all use the same CV axle.

 

Where are you located?

 

Upper ball joints aren't so bad but the lowers can be damn near impossible even with a press. Most people just replace entire lca w/ the ball joint already in it.
I ended up applying some heat to one and the top seal of the ball joint blew off the end like a shotgun. Make sure nobody is standing in line of fire if applying heat!!!

 

I don’t know about eBay motors, but I know you get quality parts and options of manufacturers if you go through Rock auto which I trust way more than eBay motors

 

Man, I'm with you on this one. I'm not affiliated with RockAuto in any way, but have used them for years with no complaints.

 

Yeah the boot is ripped. And thought if I were going to do one side, probably good to do the other as well, right?

 

In in central Utah

 

Really? Even with a press? That’s wild.

 

I was skeptical for YEARS about eBay but they’ve done crazy good. Especially with as much competition as there is, they’ve really stepped up their game. Most every part I get is oem. Does RockAuto have pretty fast shipping?

 

When I had my '01 I intended on replacing lower ball joints on both sides.
After finally getting the driver side. (couple of days of screwing around then finally bringing it to work where there are slightly better tools.)
I never did the passenger side. Neither of them "needed" it I was replacing front end components simply by age.

 

Yeah the drivers side lower is failing and has been throwing my wheel out of alignment for a bit.

 

My opinion of course, but I have done more research than I would like to admit. If your axles are OEM, reboot them and call it a day. If you don't have time for rebooting, put them on the side and go with an aftermarket option.

Whatever you do, do NOT throw them out. At the very least they can be used to get quality rebuilt axles from places like CVJ, etc. Places like this will not take aftermarket axles as a core so you would have to pay a premium for a rebuilt one without an OEM one assuming those are what you have now.

Most folks go Rock Auto and others have used Napa. I have used Napa. Beware, my set of Napa axles already have torn boots. They have about 40k miles on them now but the boots started to rip after 12,000 miles or so. They have a warranty, but I am not going to replace them just so the boots will tear again. I'll wait until I have nothing to do or I start hearing noises.

FYI. My truck had aftermarket axles when I bought it and I drove around with 50k miles before replacing them. Even when I replaced them, they were making zero noises. If I had OEM ones, I would not risk ruining them if the boots were torn. OEM axles new are crazy expensive.

 

It is time consuming and a bit messy but a Toyota reboot kit is an alternative. You keep your factory axels, mine were in great condition @ 160K miles, and get factory new boots. Most likely need tools for the boot clamps, got mine from Amazon.

 

Go here.
www.cvjreman.com
Good luck with your truck.

 

2001 is different; you can do a cv axle swap in 15 mins on one of those.

 

How can I go about checking whether it is OEM or not?

 

CVJ sells higher angle boot kits.
Dealer sells regular angle boot kits around $20.

Not sure what you mean "You determined the axle is bad by looking at it"

Axle/CV failure is indicated by hearing, not looking. Failed CV's make loud clicking. If it's not, they haven't failed.
If a $20 boot is torn on a $400 axle, you put some disposable gloves on and replace the $20 boot kit and move on.

I did most of my boots but in hindsight wish I got the red higher angle CVJ ones. I do have some lift, but not an excessive amount.

 

Actually CVJ would be able to tell you. I would call them and ask. That would be the quickest way to find out what you have.

 

If you depend on your truck to get you out of remote offroad locations, pre-emptive OEM CV axle, boot, and seal replacement might be a good call… if you want to spend the money. When I personally depend on a machine for my well being, that machine gets maintained more like an aircraft than a lawnmower.

If you don’t depend on your CVs to this degree, it’s probably not worth it and other’s advice is good.