CV axle replacement recommendations

[Jasonredwood]

Lifted my 4runner this last weekend.(Sunday)
This morning I noticed my passenger side is leaking and the driver side is torn. Im thinking Im going to replace the whole axle on both sides.

Seems like the consensus is that auto parts stores, for the most part, are cheap in price and quality.

Autozone has replacements for around $70

Napa seems to be around the same price for reman $60

CVJ sounds like its an option. Waiting to hear back about prices. EDIT: $89 after $75 core exchange

Camelback toyota looks to be between $190-$390
kinda confused as what part number I would need. Any help from the more informed would be appreciated.

Toytec has some super beefy axles but too pricey for me $500

Im looking for suggestions and reviews on the axles mentioned above.
Did I miss any other options? Thanks for any and all responses.

 

[Jasonredwood]

I went with the CVJ axles after talking with them. Let you know what I see in person when they get here.

 

[JayRolla]

A lot of the aftermarket cv's have bad casting which during wheeling can cause the input shaft to break under stress.

I have never broken an oem cv yet and I wheel my truck pretty rough. If the boot just went you should have bought new boots with grease and did the Stretch mod so they dont rub and tear again. If you have a lift they will keep failing till you stretch them.

IMO a newly stretched booted junkyard OEM cv is the best bet when needing to replace them.

 

[Jasonredwood]

A lot of the aftermarket cv's have bad casting which during wheeling can cause the input shaft to break under stress.

I have never broken an oem cv yet and I wheel my truck pretty rough. If the boot just went you should have bought new boots with grease and did the Stretch mod so they dont rub and tear again. If you have a lift they will keep failing till you stretch them.

IMO a newly stretched booted junkyard OEM cv is the best bet when needing to replace them.

Thanks for the input [MENTION=50342]JayRolla[/MENTION].

I was noticing some noise coming from my passenger side area. I figured I might as well replace them so I know what their situation is. The VCJ axles are remans and apparently they throw on a longer boot for lifted vehicles, from what I read.

 

[Gerdo]

Stay away from auto parts store CV axles. They are made from junk steel that is poorly heat treated and have been know to break off inside the diff. CVJ rebuilds OE parts. They are good. The Toytec/Lotus axles are awesome.

I did a thread on "stretch your CV boots" that has worked on mine for years.

 

[lhsoulrebel]

I went with cvj... Toyota parts, and the silicone boot they put on has been great so far on my truck... No issues, and plenty of off roading miles on them.... Sounds like you made the right choice!

 

[Brutalguyracing]

Lifted my 4runner this last weekend.(Sunday)
This morning I noticed my passenger side is leaking and the driver side is torn. Im thinking Im going to replace the whole axle on both sides.

Seems like the consensus is that auto parts stores, for the most part, are cheap in price and quality.

Autozone has replacements for around $70

Napa seems to be around the same price for reman $60

CVJ sounds like its an option. Waiting to hear back about prices. EDIT: $89 after $75 core exchange

Camelback toyota looks to be between $190-$390
kinda confused as what part number I would need. Any help from the more informed would be appreciated.

Toytec has some super beefy axles but too pricey for me $500

Im looking for suggestions and reviews on the axles mentioned above.
Did I miss any other options? Thanks for any and all responses.

CVJ all the way....
i have 2 sitting right here
waiting to go in
i think i paid $89 axle, $75 core and $50 shipping
worth the piece of mind

 

[afg10000]

I gots the CVJ axles with the long travel boots. Them folks were great to deal with. Only problem I had was the inner boots we're a bit to squished after install. They sent me some new clamps for free. Good stuff.

 

[Jasonredwood]

I got my CVJ axles in the mail today. The plan is to install them this weekend. Luckily I have a friend helping from the forum who is going to help me install. Just checking to see if there any words of wisdom people want to chime in with?

 

[TRDHighlander]

Sorry for a possibly stupid question but, whats wrong with the re-manufactured axles from the toyota dealership? I just bought two a few weeks ago for $92 each. There was a core charge but I had my axles in hand and didn't have to pay it.
Here is a picture of them...
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/lpoirieriv/13396928573" title="1394157720045 by lpoirieriv, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3671/13396928573_c0425d42e2.jpg" width="500" height="281" alt="1394157720045"></a>

 

[MStudt]

Sorry for a possibly stupid question but, whats wrong with the re-manufactured axles from the toyota dealership? I just bought two a few weeks ago for $92 each. There was a core charge but I had my axles in hand and didn't have to pay it.
Here is a picture of them...
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/lpoirieriv/13396928573" title="1394157720045 by lpoirieriv, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3671/13396928573_c0425d42e2.jpg" width="500" height="281" alt="1394157720045"></a>

I'd be curious to hear about this.

 

[TRDHighlander]

I'd be curious to hear about this.

I had to go to two local dealerships since each had only one in stock.
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/lpoirieriv/13432593183" title="20140326_155232 by lpoirieriv, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3821/13432593183_e3b3520008.jpg" width="500" height="281" alt="20140326_155232"></a>

I had originally bought two OEM boot kits to complete the job of resealing my original axles but, I found that the inner cup bearings were shot. When I went back to the dealership to inquire about new inner bearings, they said reman axles were $92 vs. damn near $200 for the inner bearing. Seemed like a no brainer to me.

 

[Jasonredwood]

Hey all-
I installed the axles with the extended boots. Coils are lowered to about 9/10" of thread showing below the locking nut. Diff drop is in as well. The boot ribs are rubbing and Im kinda concerned about that. Should I lower the coils even more?!

 

[BrianSD_42]

Sorry to have to say it but it looks like factory boots would have been better.

I don't really get the need for extended boots. I've had a lift over 5 years and one CV boot made it 210k miles and the other is still going strong at 225k miles.

For anyone else who has this problem Id suggest getting factory remans as posted above.

For OP, sorry to read about your issue. What did the vendor say?

 

[Jasonredwood]

I was thinking the same thing, that the factory sized boots would be best. Cvj suggested lowering the coils. I contacted toytec, just waiting for a reply.

 

[Brutalguyracing]

Sorry to have to say it but it looks like factory boots would have been better.



I don't really get the need for extended boots. I've had a lift over 5 years and one CV boot made it 210k miles and the other is still going strong

This ^^^^^

 

[afg10000]

I had an issue as well with the bellows on the outer boots rubbing after install. The fella at CVJ (I think his name was Steve), sent me some new clamps for free. I just stretched em and re-clamped. Good to go.

 

[Jasonredwood]

I had an issue as well with the bellows on the outer boots rubbing after install. The fella at CVJ (I think his name was Steve), sent me some new clamps for free. I just stretched em and re-clamped. Good to go.

Is that something you can do with out taking off the axles or would that require removal?

 

[afg10000]

Is that something you can do with out taking off the axles or would that require removal?

Nope, you don't need to remove the axles. Just cut the clamp, slide the boot out further and turn the wheels to check if the bellows are not touching anymore, re-clamp. Super easy. Doesn't hurt to have someone else to help pull the clamp tight whilst you lock it.

 

[Jasonredwood]

Update

Just an update.
Lowered the coils down to have a 2" lift in the front. Inner boots don't have any issues. Outer boots seem fine when pointed straight. 2 of the ribs touch when the wheels are turned. Should be fine.