CV Axles - NAPA MaxDrive and A1 Cardone

[Blute]

I know a lot of folks seem to like the NAPA CV axles. I've been looking at them, and from what I can tell the NAPA MaxDrive #944013 looks like it is made by A1 Cardone (Part #66-5134).

Here's a link to the NAPA axle:
NAPA AUTO PARTS
If you click on the warranty info on the NAPA website, it shows warranty from Cardone.

Here's a link to the Cardone axle:
https://www.cardone.com/Products/Product-Detail?productId=66-5134
If you look close at the pictures, it looks identical to the pictures on the NAPA website.

The reason I bring this up, you can find the Cardone axle for $70 or less, while the NAPA is around $100. If they are identical, why not buy the cheaper axle? Anyone have experience with the Cardone axle? Other thoughts?

 

[111db]

I ran Cardone's for a few years, never had one break. Checker Auto had them new for about $70 IIRC with a lifetime warranty. Well, the boots on the aftermarket stuff don't last near as long as a Toyota CV. So I had a few free replacement Cardone's until Checker was bought by O'Reilly and Master-somethingorother took the place of the Cardone. Same experience. O'Reilly just changed the new cvs to another brand Import-somethingorother and I just got a new one (still under the same lifetime warranty) two days ago.

Anyway, the point is, in 8 years of running a front locker, I've never broke an aftermarket CV. But you pick your poison - go Toyota for a good quality boot (or rebuild your factory ones) or go with an aftermarket shaft and expect to change it again in 2-3 years.

 

[Blute]

Thanks for the input.

I actually found the Cardone branded axle online for $38.99 each, and $8.99 shipping for both. That comes to about $87 total to my door, and no core deposit to mess with. That is a bargain, IMO. And I'm fairly certain they are identical to the NAPA axles.

I can get Toyota remans from CVJ for $99 each, but then you have to pay shipping ($33), plus the core deposit, and then return shipping to send the old ones back to CVJ. If I was local in Denver I would probably buy those, but the shipping costs make it somewhat pricey.

I wish I knew a good local CV shop that I trusted to re-boot/re-build my current axles, or sell me some Toyota remans at a decent price.

What to do, what to do...

 

[Scramble]

Thanks for the input.

I actually found the Cardone branded axle online for $38.99 each, and $8.99 shipping for both. That comes to about $87 total to my door, and no core deposit to mess with. That is a bargain, IMO. And I'm fairly certain they are identical to the NAPA axles.

I can get Toyota remans from CVJ for $99 each, but then you have to pay shipping ($33), plus the core deposit, and then return shipping to send the old ones back to CVJ. If I was local in Denver I would probably buy those, but the shipping costs make it somewhat pricey.

I wish I knew a good local CV shop that I trusted to re-boot/re-build my current axles, or sell me some Toyota remans at a decent price.

What to do, what to do...

I paid $88 for my new not rebuilt Napa CV from the local store.

 

[111db]

Thanks for the input.

I actually found the Cardone branded axle online for $38.99 each, and $8.99 shipping for both. That comes to about $87 total to my door, and no core deposit to mess with. That is a bargain, IMO. And I'm fairly certain they are identical to the NAPA axles.

I can get Toyota remans from CVJ for $99 each, but then you have to pay shipping ($33), plus the core deposit, and then return shipping to send the old ones back to CVJ. If I was local in Denver I would probably buy those, but the shipping costs make it somewhat pricey.

I wish I knew a good local CV shop that I trusted to re-boot/re-build my current axles, or sell me some Toyota remans at a decent price.

What to do, what to do...

Do the $38 axles have a lifetime warranty? If they do- are you willing to pay for two way shipping and the wait time required when you split a boot or break the axle? As I mentioned before, I paid more for mine, but I can get a warranty replacement same day.

You could order up the set and install them. Then order a set of boots from Toyota and rebuild one (or both) of your Factory axles at your leisure. Then you'll have a good spare for when you need it.

 

[Blute]

Do the $38 axles have a lifetime warranty? If they do- are you willing to pay for two way shipping and the wait time required when you split a boot or break the axle? As I mentioned before, I paid more for mine, but I can get a warranty replacement same day.

You could order up the set and install them. Then order a set of boots from Toyota and rebuild one (or both) of your Factory axles at your leisure. Then you'll have a good spare for when you need it.

Regarding the warranty, yes they do have a lifetime through Cardone. And yes you would have to pay shipping, and wouldn't be able to get it on the same day, that is true.

I called the local NAPA store, they looked in their system and confirmed that the NAPA part #NMD944013 is made by Cardone, and it is Cardone part #66-5134. The NAPA store would not price-match online pricing. No other local auto parts stores carry that axle. The NAPA price is $99.

At that $38 price, I could probably buy a spare for less than what it would cost to rebuild the OEM axle.

 

[Asaspades93]

I bought napa cause of the warrenty. almost 90 each but I was able to swap out the old napas that I had that were damaged to to lbj failure wihout any trouble. just brought the receipt, the bad axle, and walked out 2 minutes later with a new axle and a new receipt

 

[habanero]

I didn't have a problem with the a1 cv shafts, just the boots. With the lift the boot lobes rubbed too much and ate each other. Did a boot stretch and that was no longer an issue, though I agree with 111db on boot longevity.

I'd originally done new shafts from O'Really. The boots on those got dry and cracked all up within a year. That sucked! I traded those in for the A1 Cardone.

Now that I have a set of Toyota axles again this time I rebooted them because I'd rather have them than a set of remans. The Toyota boot kit was reasonably priced imo. Hopefully they last as long as the original boots did. Messy, but not hard to do.

 

[hounddogman]

On a side note, in the Heep Grand Cherokee world A1 Cardone axles are regarded as upgrades from OEM .

 

[kgbdonkey]

Thanks for the input.

I actually found the Cardone branded axle online for $38.99 each, and $8.99 shipping for both. That comes to about $87 total to my door, and no core deposit to mess with. That is a bargain, IMO. And I'm fairly certain they are identical to the NAPA axles.

I can get Toyota remans from CVJ for $99 each, but then you have to pay shipping ($33), plus the core deposit, and then return shipping to send the old ones back to CVJ. If I was local in Denver I would probably buy those, but the shipping costs make it somewhat pricey.

I wish I knew a good local CV shop that I trusted to re-boot/re-build my current axles, or sell me some Toyota remans at a decent price.

What to do, what to do...

Where did you find them for that price? You ever get them?

 

[Blute]

Where did you find them for that price? You ever get them?

Unfortunately, the price has gone up, they are now $71:

AutoPartsExpress.com New CARDONE Select Constant Velocity Drive Axle on sale! AutoPartsExpress.com

I haven't bought any yet.

 

[Scramble]

My passenger side inner boot split the first day I drove it after putting in the SS lift back in June. I replaced it with a new Napa Maxlife. This past weekend I did a 200 mile round trip to Long Island & when I got home I noticed my drivers side inner boot split. Not sure yet if I'm going with another Maxdrive or rebuild my PS OEM axle.

 

[JayRolla]

OEM's are $150 after core charge which IMO is worth it if you dont have to install them again. Just make sure to have the boots stretched before install.

Or just rebuild the OEM originals.