CV axle options

[twchapel311]

I am sure I am beating a dead horse with this but there are so many threads on the topic I have had trouble navigating them all. Here goes, I have a 2000 SR5 with 138,000 miles. Just recently (a few months ago) replaced the stock suspension with the OME 2" all around and a 1" diff drop. Did road trip to Oregon last week and my right lower CV was slinging grease everywhere. I am planning to just do a complete replacement of both CV axles but here is the question, do I get remanufactured, aftermarket, or do I need to get something a little longer?

 

[theizzardking]

I am sure I am beating a dead horse with this but there are so many threads on the topic I have had trouble navigating them all. Here goes, I have a 2000 SR5 with 138,000 miles. Just recently (a few months ago) replaced the stock suspension with the OME 2" all around and a 1" diff drop. Did road trip to Oregon last week and my right lower CV was slinging grease everywhere. I am planning to just do a complete replacement of both CV axles but here is the question, do I get remanufactured, aftermarket, or do I need to get something a little longer?

no longer option without spending some big bucks and for your lift you shouldn't need that my advise would be if you just put the lift on is to simply repack the boot with grease and then pull the boots back into place and secure with a hose clamp .

beyond that if you wheel exceptional hard i'd go with some of the lifetime ones from napa or shucks, they kind of suck compared to a rebuilt but you can swap a new one in every other day if need be, a few guys here have them just because they break so many cv's on the trail isn't not worth it to go with the stock cv's because there's no lifetime warranty on those.

but if your rig is a DD and you aren't running advanced trails i would recommend nothing but OEM new or rebuilt cv's and applying the long travel boots to them before install.

 

[scottyb]

The cv's sling grease once you put a lift on due to the new drive angle. Your cv's have been at the same angle for 138K so they're just adjusting. All you need to do is put some big hose clamps over the clamps that are on there and clean up the grease. You don't need to replace your cv's unless they break or are contaminated with dirt.

Even though you don't need to replace your cv's, as far as replacement axles go: (This is mostly what I've read. Everyone has a different opinion, so keep that in mind)

Autozone, Advanced Auto, etc => No good. The axles can't achieve the same angles as the OEM axles. Tend to break. I personally have no experience with these axles. This is just what I've read.

Napa => In most people's opinions/experiences these axles are good. I've only used Napa cv replacements and they've been fine. I'd highly recommend them. Plus you get a life time warranty. I've used it twice so far. I paid about $130 a piece.

OEM => Some people vouch for these axles as the best however I've also recently read that Napa and OEM axles are the exact same thing. You can also get OEM rebuilds through CVJ in Denver for about $70 if you bring in your broken axle. I think OEM axles are $160. Neither of these options have lifetime warranties.

IMO I'd go with Napa axles. However if you don't really wheel too hard, any of these options is fine. It's just when you put the axles at maximum droop there will be a difference in strength.

 

[cordrayj1]

Napa cv axles are pretty good. I use them and have never had an issue. .. but as far as reclamping goes, I would clip off the existing with a pair of diagonal cutters then slight boot a hair closer. Then reclamp and torque carefully not to rip the boot.

Only on the outside clamps of course. Those are the only ones that have ever given me an issue

 

[freshley]

izzardking,
what long travel boots are you talking about? I'm lifting mine this weekend the same as the original poster and now I'm worried about my CV joints. They are factory and have 180k on them. I've heard of people using porsche boots instead of the standard ones but I haven't seen any other "long travel" boots mentioned.

 

[gornish_hick]

I'm tackling my Cv's this weekend, sorta the same story as yours and everyone else Ive talked to, after my lift the upper boots on both sided tore. My original plan was going with OEM but with the local dealership wanting 300 an axle I changed my mind. I ended up getting a set of A1 Cardone axles. I Searched for reviews and I couldn't find much bad about them so I decided to go with them in the end

 

[shadow247]

I put MasterPro brand new axles from O-reilly's. With my discount they were about 60 bucks each. I have put about 1500 miles and 4 trips to the beach now and not had a problem. I did manage to tear one of the boots installing left side axle, but I still have put 1500 miles and no issues. I plan to replace the axle if it ever starts clicking or showing any signs of distress, but so far it is holding up great. I compared the OEM and MasterPro axles and really couldn't tell a difference. I deal in aftermarket and OEM parts all day so I know how to spot a cheap POS aftermarket part. FWIW the MasterPro axles were a straight bolt-in. Remove old axle, remove new axle from box, and install.

 

[LittleCaesar]

+1 with the Masterpro, though like anything non OEM, be prepared for a little surface rust wit time.

As The Kid stated, Toyota dealers for the most part use the NAPA CVs.

You can't really go wrong with either one IMHO.

 

[1985taylor1925]

My NAPA here in town sells remanufactured OEM cv's. I got a set and put them on a few weeks ago. $53 a piece after you give them your old ones. 3 year or 36000 mile warrenty.