Drunner97
New member
CVJ reboots OEM axles.
Any Decent CV Axle outside of CVJ
- Thread starter bigbirney
- Start date
CVJ reboots OEM axles.
bob3dsf
New member
I have to disagree with this. I replaced both of mine with re-mfgr'd CV's straight from Toyota. Go to the parts counter and you'll be able to buy brand new OEM or re-manned OEM for less than half. I forget exactly now, but I'm pretty sure I paid about $150 for each. I'm a regular customer so "my parts guy" gives me a discounted price (I have a parts guy ?! :nod
I could have turned in my originals for a $50 core refund on each but I kept them so I can re-boot and 2 ready to go if I need to replace again. I've had them for at least 60k if not more.
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DEF4Runner
New member
Just my $.02 but unless the shaft is fractured, I'd reboot the OEM.
I replaced an OEM with a standard CVJ when I thought I had some pitting in the inner shaft. I received the CVJ and I don't want to say I was disappointed, but I DID feel a difference between the robust OEM boot (rubber) and CVJ's neoprene/silicone boots. I only have a couple thousand on it so far, but it's holding up. I have a spare shaft booted with the OEM boots to install if need be.
I replaced an OEM with a standard CVJ when I thought I had some pitting in the inner shaft. I received the CVJ and I don't want to say I was disappointed, but I DID feel a difference between the robust OEM boot (rubber) and CVJ's neoprene/silicone boots. I only have a couple thousand on it so far, but it's holding up. I have a spare shaft booted with the OEM boots to install if need be.
milehigh05
New member
Yeah there's another thread on here somewhere on CVJ's. I'm in 3 years now with CVJ's w the upgraded boots, love them, no leaks. I'm also up all the way on my 6112's. And yes, I would also have to disagree with whoever said don't use reman's. Toyota steel is top notch, and that's why CVJ uses Toyota OEM axles. I'm also in Denver and have always had great customer service. I'd use them again in a second.
wkeryder4
New member
I went to CVJ's when I first installed my lift about 50k miles ago and have been using them ever since. I've been through 5 axles total. My first pair were the red high clearance silicone boots. I got a tear in the red silicone boot on one side from what must have been road debris and replaced it. Those lasted probably 40-45k until I noticed the outer boot on one of mine had gotten a small crack from age. The outer boots on their rebuilds are a different material than the OEM boots, almost like a plastic and they began to dry out and crack at the peak of the fins. I called CVJ and asked what could be done to make them more reliable and they said they also offer and outer boot upgrade to the OEM boot which is more of a rubber material and less prone to drying out and cracking so I went ahead and replaced both axles with upgraded inner and outer boots. So far they have performed great, I love them and have seen no signs of failure.
hgill
Member
Since I've decided to replace mine, I actually placed an order with CVJ for both axles with the red silicone outer boot for lifted trucks for a total of around $155/each plus shipping yesterday.
Since my order had not shipped, I figured i call my local dealership this morning to see what their prices where (my local stealership is notorious for shit prices as they are the only Toyota dealership in town).
They do not offer Reman CVs, only new apparently. Was quoted $490.99/per axle for a nice grand total of $981.98.
Since my order had not shipped, I figured i call my local dealership this morning to see what their prices where (my local stealership is notorious for shit prices as they are the only Toyota dealership in town).
They do not offer Reman CVs, only new apparently. Was quoted $490.99/per axle for a nice grand total of $981.98.
LordAbdullah
New member
same here, dealership wanted 588$ per axle + tax (Canada). Going to get a pair of CVJs after christmas! Went with a autoparts axle for now, will use as a spare after swapping the CVJs in.
Stellar
New member
Also in Denver, just a 30 minute drive from CVJ. I swapped to CVJ axles with red neoprene boots on my 4th gen and my buddy's 2nd gen Taco 2 years ago. Both are still going strong with no cracks, leaks, or any other malfunctions. Personally, I don't see any reason to look for other CV axle options.
Drunner97
New member
It's 50 bucks for the rebuild kit and like 15 bucks for the clamp tool. If you're close to CVJ and you can swap cores right then and there I suppose it's worth it, but after shipping to get the axle and shipping going back it ends up being cheaper to rebuild them yourself.
kingofthehill
New member
Does anyone know the OEM part numbers for the CV boots?
Stellar
New member
I completely agree that it's cheaper but there's other motivating factors for people than cost. Someone might live in an apartment with no garage or access to one. Someone else might need a quick turn around on their vehicle because it's the only mode of transportation. There's also other hidden costs in the DIY method. Someone may not have all the tools required such as the 35mm (i think) socket for the nut that secures the axle into the hub assembly.
Drunner97
New member
If any of these were the cases then they'd likely be going through a mechanic and probably using an auto parts store axle. There is no quick turn around on a cvj axle and you still have to do the work yourself to replace the axle. I'm not trying to knock CVJ. I personally am not happy with the fact that my boot is leaking, but I also could have hit it on a rock and just created a big enough hole to throw grease everywhere. So I can't blame it on CVJ. However, price and time wise, I'll be rebooting mine.
wkeryder4
New member
I use CVJ for the convenience factor. My truck is my only mode of transportation and I really only have Saturdays & Sundays to work on it if something need to be fixed. It's much easier for me to have preassembled CV axles sent directly to my door ready to install than spend an afternoon disassembling each axle, dealing with a bunch of grease and the possibility that something might break or tear or go wrong and then I'm stuck waiting on a part to get shipped to me, finding a ride to and from work until the part comes in and then finding the time after work to install it so I can get it back up and running. I'm sure it would cost less to reboot myself but if anything were to go wrong rebooting it the cost would start rising quickly.
I don't use a mechanic because labor is expensive and I like knowing the in's and out's of everything on my truck and how to fix it myself. Why pay someone $150-200 to do something I know I can do myself. Using CVJ I can replace my axles in a matter of an hour or 2 on a Saturday morning, toss the old ones in the box and it barely makes a dent in my weekend.
CV axle replacement- 2004 4Runner
I just replaced my front CV axles and transfer case seals. This youtube video was very helpful:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BawuxQHhTGs
1. If you don't have an impact tool you will have to take the wheel off and remove the dust cover and cotter pin and then reinstall the wheel and use breaker bar to loosen the axle nut.
2. I replaced both the transfer case seals and the wheel knuckle seals. I could not find the axle side of the knuckle seal anywhere. The only way is to buy a new axle assembly! So, I bought an aftermarket axle and it came with the other half of the seal. Toyota and the part houses do not have the part in any of their catalogs!
3. The hardest part was getting the steering tie rod off. Some heat with a torch helped.
4. The transfer case seals were tricky. The right side does not have a stop for the seal, so you could push it all the way into the case, if you are not careful. Also, there is a protruding part of the seal that adds an additional seal that rides against a metal disk/washer, so the position fot the seal is important.
I just replaced my front CV axles and transfer case seals. This youtube video was very helpful:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BawuxQHhTGs
1. If you don't have an impact tool you will have to take the wheel off and remove the dust cover and cotter pin and then reinstall the wheel and use breaker bar to loosen the axle nut.
2. I replaced both the transfer case seals and the wheel knuckle seals. I could not find the axle side of the knuckle seal anywhere. The only way is to buy a new axle assembly! So, I bought an aftermarket axle and it came with the other half of the seal. Toyota and the part houses do not have the part in any of their catalogs!
3. The hardest part was getting the steering tie rod off. Some heat with a torch helped.
4. The transfer case seals were tricky. The right side does not have a stop for the seal, so you could push it all the way into the case, if you are not careful. Also, there is a protruding part of the seal that adds an additional seal that rides against a metal disk/washer, so the position fot the seal is important.
Qlaloo
New member
You could always buy a an OEM Axle from a salvage toyota 4runner on ebay and they're usually under $100 shipped. Just check the mileage and be sure it's oem if you want the same quality.
04rnr
New member
Never thought of that.... May do that next time but was also thinking getting the CVJs later in the year, this way I will have two spares. But then again, I dont plan, on hitting the hard trails with this rig, but Ive said that before
ound:
RazzRoach
New member
Axle Assembly - Toyota (43430-60061) is this it?
Billynath1988
Senior Member
OEM or CVJ thats it.. everything else is sub par and will result in a bad day if you go wheeling.
If your OEM is not broken, I suggest rebooting with SDHQ boot kits. Its a messy job but its much cheaper then all the other options.
premium options are the new RCV gen 2 axles. but I haven't seen pricing.
*Ive been daily driving and wheeling my OEM axles with 147k on them. Ive rebooted them twice over the years.
If your OEM is not broken, I suggest rebooting with SDHQ boot kits. Its a messy job but its much cheaper then all the other options.
premium options are the new RCV gen 2 axles. but I haven't seen pricing.
*Ive been daily driving and wheeling my OEM axles with 147k on them. Ive rebooted them twice over the years.
