CV axles? Longevity? Will they snap?

[grenda]

Both cv axles on my 94 runner are ripped and recently started to "clunk" after a very sharp turn. Les schwab said i need new ones. Can't really afford it right now. Will these eventually snap or break? Then what? Can I baby it home? Should I not 4x4 it?

 

[Hyde802]

They will eventually break. You should change them. Stay out of 4wd.

Get them from auto zone, download a factory service manual, and change them your self. Plenty or write ups around the web.

Im assuming that you dont have manual hubs, so next would be installing some so that the CVs are not turning all the time, just in4wd which will greatly extend their life span.

 

[KidVermicious]

Yup, they'll eventually come apart. When they do, they'll start flipping around under there like a wrecking ball, bouncing off stuff and ruining your wheel bearings and axle seals.

 

[ToyoTech]

off road use, they will break. daily driving, it be a while before they break imo. my honda did it for years before it got stolen.

 

[BoatRacer]

Where in WA? Post up if you need some help and if close enough, I'd give you a hand. It's not too bad a job.

 

[fourwd1]

Both cv axles on my 94 runner are ripped and recently started to "clunk" after a very sharp turn. Les schwab said i need new ones. Can't really afford it right now. Will these eventually snap or break? Then what?

Can I baby it home?

Absolutely, it'll be a while before they are bad enough to break, and the noise and clunk will get worse

Should I not 4x4 it?

If you want to break one real soon, 4x4 it. Otherwise, you should not

 

[giro]

Both cv axles on my 94 runner are ripped and recently started to "clunk" after a very sharp turn.

Just to check, this isn't just a clunk when you are making a very share turn at the limit of the turning radius. Mine's done that, and it turns out it's when it's bumping up against the limits, which originally had plastic covers but are long since gone. That makes a terrible sound, but throwing some grease on there at each oil change basically fixes it. (hmmm, time for an oil change)

Whereas CV joint clunking is when making a pretty sharp but constant turn.

Just checking. I bought parts and almost replaced one of my CV's when I first started having this issue. But I didn't have ripped boots, so I'm guessing you're on the right track.

 

[grenda]

I live near Spokane in Cheney. Where is the best/most affordable place to get one? Napa has remanned cvs for $56 each...Going hunting this weekend with a little 4 wheel drive action in the snow but now hard wheeling/crawling/ hammering down so to speak. Hoping I will be okay till I can get these fixed. I dont have manual hubs. If I do end up snapping one, what do I do then? Can I drive it home? Or am I SOL and in need of a trailer?