Has anyone recently tried CV's sold by Napa?
 

Been doing some digging around since I don't want to spend $500 on an OEM Toyota Axle if I don't need to. Seems like my options are either OEM, CVJ, or Napa

Given the fact that Napa is the cheapest option :wof:, I did some digging around across multiple Toyota forums (T4R, TacomaWorld, FJCruiser forums to name a few) and it seems like they're a good alternative. However, most of the posts are 2+ year old with mixed data points, mostly good reviews with a few bad due to possible other variables (using the remans instead of new, longer than factory shocks but not LT, only used as a spare/temporarily)

From my findings, the NCV 944052 should have a standard boot, while the NCV 944082 have a heavy duty boot. But they are also supposed to have a $30 diff (currently $1 diff), and made by CARDONE (currently made by SurTrack PN: TO-8168)
Check Napa link for the SurTrack PN -> Attention Required! | Cloudflare
Amazon review of the TO-8168 :rain:
Amazon.com: SurTrack TO-8168 CV Axle Shaft : Automotive

Has anyone recently tried Napa CV's?

Last time I replaced a CV axle (on an Accord), purchased at RockAuto. No issues. I would select one of the Cardone offerings....

2007 TOYOTA 4RUNNER 4.0L V6 CV Axle | RockAuto

I put a Napa axle a couple months ago. Only have a few hundred miles but I liked the quality of it. Smooth.

I used the more expensive NAPA axle with the upgraded boot material.

Had a NAPA CV installed 3-4 years ago and so far so good, I don't off road though.

CV Axle
 

Why don't you just rebuild the ones you already have? Toyota sells a really nice rebuild kit with boots clamps and grease. That way you get to keep your really good CV axles. I bought 1 cheap one, then replaced a good one,rebuilt it and then did the other side. Now I have a spare CV for the trail. I did a " how to" over on the FJ forum, look up MajorMiner. Happy Wheeling!

I'm running NAPA CVs, 944082. I put them on in March. I have done a road trip out west and have driven over 11k miles with them. No issues so far.

I did a ton a research when I bought these. You are going to get a lot of opinions. There are some pricey options for OEM rebuilt ones.

Since my old ones were not OEM, I didn't want to spend almost $800 for a rebuilt OEM set since there is a core charge. If I had OEM ones, I probably would have considered rebuilding them especially if I had to pay someone to install them.

The ones I removed from my 4Runner were most likely NAPA ones too. Those were on my truck when I bought it used and stayed on there for almost 60k miles. The boots were ripped for almost the whole time, but I never actually had an issue with even up until I replaced them.

Hope that helps...

Yea, Cardone's seem to have mixed reviews, but they were apparently solid when they were built for Napa.

Only thing about ordering from RockAuto is that if I needed to return it, I need to pay shipping on my end (vs Napa where I can go to a store locally) But might end up going this route.,

Are you lifted?
If so, are you binding at all?

Do you possibly know if this is the CARDONE or SurTrack CV?

I would, but unfortunately, my one CV is clicking. I've rebuilt it 2 times already (cheap Beck/Arnley boots kept ripping).

Are you lifted or offroad? Do they bind at all?
Like you, I have some speculation that the failing CV is a non-OEM toyota CV since it looks a bit different

No, I am not lifted. No binding what so ever. No crazy off-roading but I have been off road. Nothing more than dirt, light mud and rutted roads.

You should be able to figure out if yours are OEM or not. There is some information in an older thread of mine that may help you.

Here is the link:
CV Joints boots cracked, replace axle now or wait?

Hey OP, another option to look into are OEM REMAN (remanufactured). They run about $150 each +core charge. They look the same as the original OEMs I had and have had no issues with the install. They are only sold at Toyota dealerships, although a lot don't sell them. I got mine from Elmore Toyota if you are in the Socal area.

I have had a NAPA axle on my driver side front for going on two years and have put a lot of miles on it both on and off the pavement. No problems at all. Plus they come with a lifetime warranty IIRC. If it goes bad, you just bring it in and they give you another one.

I have a "heavy" Napa axle on my GX470. I snapped one already and another from oreilly or some other parts store. When they replaced it, it was a different axle. longer, fit perfectly, setup like OEM. I was surprised. I carry the replacement as a spare in a box in the back. The one I broke from them was the newer model I think. pretty sure the one I have now is the older, better version. I have ruined boots on two OEM toyota axles and now I have one CVJ extended red booted reman oem on one side. might be having problems with that one already but that side of the car has multiple problems so idk

super easy to replace on the trail in like 45 mins while I drink a beer so I have all the tools for it in a box in my car when I head out on the trail (but like I said I broke two axles last year and that car is on 35s with 4.56 gearing and way more power than most 4runners)

OP, I know it doesn't help you with possible current NAPA CV quality, but I've been running a NAPA Maxdrive standard boot (Cardone, per the included paperwork) for a little over 6 years and about 50K miles at this point, without any issues. I don't do any major off roading; mostly just the occasional urban type where I need to hop a curb/sidewalk or maybe cross a drainage ditch that was inconveniently placed.

I posted a response in someone's thread at the time I did the replacement. The NAPA was visually identical to the OE unit it was replacing. If there were any differences, it had to be in the actual materials used (metallurgy, rubber, grease). Makes sense that there probably aren't *that* many CV axle manufacturers in the world so Toyota and some of the aftermarket suppliers could be using the same source. Just speculation on my part, though.