CV axle replacement / reboot info please

[awpsome]

New to having cv axles period. So be nice for another cv thread haha

Just got a 4wd, finished installing a full 3" tonight and only a few miles home I noticed I'm already starting to leak grease both sides on the inners..
Very minor small leak.

I'm planning for a nice moderate wheeling trip soon and wondering should I reboot and replace both on the truck? Or should I buy new axles as they are OEM and have about 140k on them?

Obviously OEM are my best bet but money isn't falling out of my pockets. Should I consider napa reman or new? Ive read about the lifetime warranty which sounds great.

Any ideas would be great as to what you guys have found as the best solution to our wonderful notorious cv axles.

Thanks!

 

[audiness]

did you install the "diff drop" which lowers the front diff a bit to help soften the CV angles after a lift?

 

[Gerdo]

Is it leaking at the inner seal or the inner boot?
You have some choices.
Reboot your stock axles
Have the stock axles rebooted
Buy rebuilt OEM axles
Buy Lotus axles (they are stronger OE axles)
Buy junk axles from a local auto parts shop.

The auto parts shop axles are cheap steel that is poorly heatreated that usually has limited range and can bind.

Stick to a OEM axle.

When my boots tore, I had mine rebooted. I'm still on my stock axles with 225,000 miles.

 

[AZTOY]

This happen to me when I installed my lift. Original axles boots can't handle the new angle after years of use. I bought new A1 Cardone axles and have not had any problems. I off road on rocks with lots of articulation once or twice a month and they have worked great. Obliviously the OEM rebuilt or Lotus are really good but more expensive. Lotus is over built for the average off roader. Good luck.

 

[mforce]

After my lift mine were leaking as well. I rebooted both the inner and outer with OEM boots and both are going great. I have around 180K on my stock axles.

 

[awpsome]

did you install the "diff drop" which lowers the front diff a bit to help soften the CV angles after a lift?

I opted to not do the diff drop due to its debate on whether its successful or not. Going to see how things go without it so if i do later decide to put it on i can compare the differences.

Is it leaking at the inner seal or the inner boot?
You have some choices.
Reboot your stock axles
Have the stock axles rebooted
Buy rebuilt OEM axles
Buy Lotus axles (they are stronger OE axles)
Buy junk axles from a local auto parts shop.

The auto parts shop axles are cheap steel that is poorly heatreated that usually has limited range and can bind.

Stick to a OEM axle.

When my boots tore, I had mine rebooted. I'm still on my stock axles with 225,000 miles.

It was leaking on the inner boot but on the smaller end towards the center of the axle.
I checked it today and realized instead of being torn just yet it was leaking through the smaller end clamp of the inner boot. So i took it off and replaced it with a hose clamp and as of right now it has stopped the leak.
Just trying to get this axle to last as long as possible before changing them out.

Ill definitely try to stick with OEM but price different is quite substantial. I just quoted napa lifetimes locally for $110 ea. ill call toyota parts tomorrow to check pricing difference. Thanks!

This happen to me when I installed my lift. Original axles boots can't handle the new angle after years of use. I bought new A1 Cardone axles and have not had any problems. I off road on rocks with lots of articulation once or twice a month and they have worked great. Obliviously the OEM rebuilt or Lotus are really good but more expensive. Lotus is over built for the average off roader. Good luck.

Nice, the cardone from where? and price?

After my lift mine were leaking as well. I rebooted both the inner and outer with OEM boots and both are going great. I have around 180K on my stock axles.

Nice thats really good to know as i want to keep OEM and am thinking of rebooting instead of buying an entire new axle.
did you reboot it on your own? or shop? price?

Thanks!

 

[cj80cruiser]

I opted out of the diff drop as well.

 

[awpsome]

for sure, how long have you had a lift without? any negatives?
even with my setup i really dont see crazy angles on everyday driving for the CVs.

 

[cj80cruiser]

for sure, how long have you had a lift without? any negatives?
even with my setup i really dont see crazy angles on everyday driving for the CVs.

Its only been about a week at 3"s but So far so good.

I think steeze has been running on torn boots for over a year now IIRC. I'll just replace mine if needed later on....not really too concerned.

 

[fluffeh]

Let me tell you after I did my lift, I had axle grease EVERYWHERE after driving on it for like 3 days. After diff drop I wiped off all of the grease and had no more leaking issues. Diff drop is DEFINITELY worth it in my opinion and could get rid of the need for a reboot.

 

[awpsome]

Interesting. Not that I don't believe you as I too am considering diff drop. But after your grease got everywhere and you did diff drop did you put grease back into boots?
Just wondering if maybe no leaks after because all the grease had already flung out?

Thanks for your input though. How much cv angle change did you notice?

 

[cj80cruiser]

By no means am I saying without a doubt I'm right but ive read both arguements for and against diff drops.

Id just rather change out a Cv than have problems with my front diff. Singtoe reported that in a conversation he had with members of ECG that a common problem they saw with damaged front diffs was a lack of oil getting to places it ordinarily would if a diff drop isn't used. Its just a theory and was highly debated.

Dropping the front diff is no big deal to a lot of people on here but it sucked to me doing it on the ground...not to mention the cost of having it fixed. Id have to take it to a professional vs. doing it myself.

Here's an old thread http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/41888-diff-drop-necessary.html

And

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/87397-diff-drop.html

 

[AZTOY]

awpsome....I got the new A1 Cardone axles at partsgeek.com. rockauto.com probably has them too.
I didn't do the diff drop either.

*make sure to keep old ones and reboot for spares on the trail if you replace them*

 

[TOPSECRETTUNDRA]

I did the diff drop and it still spit grease everywhere. Rebooted them with a different style clamp and problem solved for now.

 

[MX4R]

Those that have used a hose clamp, have you noticed any vibration at highway speed from the imbalance?

I was researching the Cardones and read good things, any first hand abuse testing?

 

[AZTOY]

Those that have used a hose clamp, have you noticed any vibration at highway speed from the imbalance?

I was researching the Cardones and read good things, any first hand abuse testing?

For me, just what I have already said about my cardone use.

I used a clamp on my outer boot and have not noticed any vibration.

This is my DD also. Highway speeds to work.

 

[Gerdo]

By no means am I saying without a doubt I'm right but ive read both arguements for and against diff drops.

Id just rather change out a Cv than have problems with my front diff. Singtoe reported that in a conversation he had with members of ECG that a common problem they saw with damaged front diffs was a lack of oil getting to places it ordinarily would if a diff drop isn't used. Its just a theory and was highly debated.

Dropping the front diff is no big deal to a lot of people on here but it sucked to me doing it on the ground...not to mention the cost of having it fixed. Id have to take it to a professional vs. doing it myself.

Here's an old thread http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/41888-diff-drop-necessary.html

And

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/87397-diff-drop.html

There are two ways of thought.

I'm running a diff drop, and have been for over 100,000 miles. I have had zero front diff issues. And zero broken CVs.

 

[Gerdo]

Those that have used a hose clamp, have you noticed any vibration at highway speed from the imbalance?

I was researching the Cardones and read good things, any first hand abuse testing?

I have used the hose clamps http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/90980-stretch-your-cv-boots.html .
I went for a pair of small ones to eliminate the chances of vibes. I have 20,000 - 30,000 miles on them and they are doing great.

I have seen friends snap the end splines off inside the front diff TWICE. This is due to cheap steel and poor heat treating. This is why I will only go with the Lotus axles (most parts are OE except the bigger CroMo cage) or EOM rebuilts.

 

[Volley]

I have used the Napa lifetimes for both of my CV replacements with no problems. Haven't had a chance to wheel since the first one went on (a few months) but I'm ok with them. I think use also plays a role in this...i.e. if you beat your truck through the trenches you may not get as much use...

 

[mforce]

One of my clamps did not sit well. I have used a zip tie...a medium to large zip tie on one of the boots. It is still holding and the factory OEM boots are doing great after the reboot with stock axles. I went with new Toyota axles grease and when you buy the stock boots you will get new grease, boots and clamps.