CV half shafts...replacement recommendations?

[jgmx893]

Hey guys,

Was under the truck the other day and noticed that one of the boots on my driver side shaft was torn. I was planning on just replacing the whole axle, unless anyone thinks it would be better to get a boot kit instead (my truck is at 78k miles so the axle is probably in decent shape).
I also noticed while under there that the axle has a small amount of play where it meets the differential (play is perpendicular to the axle's axis), is this something I should be concerned about? Does this mean that the seals at the diff have gone? Or could it just be due to the fact that most of the grease is gone from the boot ripping?
Also, if I decide to replace the boot (or axle) myself, how careful do I need to be taking the shaft in/out in regards to the seals at the diff?

 

[delucat2]

The play coming out of the diff is normal. Just the play normal when using the spring clip to hold the axle in the diff. If oil is not leaking the seal is good.
I would however replace the seal if you are going to pull the axle.

As far as the axle...I would pull it and clean it up. Odds are it is OK and you MAY be better off just cleaning and putting on a boot kit. Some question the quality of the aftermarket axles which would worry me too. If it craps out, you will put the replacement aftermarket axle in much faster after this test run.

A Cardone axel is $70...a boot kit is $25-35.
Is it really worth the time to clean up the original axle?

Probably not.

 

[lightfreak]

My driver side CV boot tore at about 150,000Km and the passenger side at around 200,000KM , only replaced the boots both times and they've been fine since.

 

[jgmx893]

Thanks for the replies guys. What I'm probably going to do is go up to NAPA, get a replacement axle (lifetime replacements sound pretty good), then get a diff seal, and new boots. That way I can use the OEM axle as a spare if I ever need it.

 

[CruzadoBlanco]

Thanks for the replies guys. What I'm probably going to do is go up to NAPA, get a replacement axle (lifetime replacements sound pretty good), then get a diff seal, and new boots. That way I can use the OEM axle as a spare if I ever need it.

thats a pretty good plan, the napa remans are the best ive come across. if you really want to get the most out of the time its gonna take to reboot the OEM consider some longtravel inner boots and maybe outers if you want, its not necessary but helps with the longevity of the boots.

 

[RonJR]

I've gotten 3 remans from NAPA (different vehicles), and upon closely inspecting them the housings looked identical to the OEM ones I replaced. My guess (and hope) is that I'm effectively getting a rebuilt Toyota axle when I buy the NAPA remans. No guarantee, but the largest source of cores is likely going to be Toyota OEM axles, so the odds are good.

So far, all 3 of the axles are working perfectly. Two of them are on my '94 which has a front locker and 33" tires, so if they were weak I'd probably know it by now.

 

[alia176]

Hey guys,

Was under the truck the other day and noticed that one of the boots on my driver side shafts was torn. I was planning on just replacing the whole axle, unless anyone thinks it would be better to get a boot kit instead (my truck is at 78k miles so the axle is probably in decent shape).
I also noticed while under there that the axle has a small amount of play where it meets the differential (play is perpendicular to the axle's axis), is this something I should be concerned about? Does this mean that the seals at the diff have gone? Or could it just be due to the fact that most of the grease is gone from the boot ripping?
Also, if I decide to replace the boot (or axle) myself, how careful do I need to be taking the shaft in/out in regards to the seals at the diff?

Your vehicle is 78k original miles? If so, then you have the OEM axles more than likes and the NAPA boots will NOT work. My writeup http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/226384-lessons-learned-front-cv-axles-seals-tools.html

I'd spring for the OEM boot kit for OEM axles.

 

[MSRP.]

I was suggested not to fix it until it started clicking when turning..
These cv's like to go many miles without an intact boot
Going on 8,000 miles here through Canadian winters and salt


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[SouthAl]

i replaced my driver side cv last year with an aftermarket cv axle. Inner boot tore within 10k miles. Bit the bullet this time around and bought OEM axles. The difference in quality is night and day. Spend a little extra money and buy OEM

 

[jgmx893]

Your vehicle is 78k original miles? If so, then you have the OEM axles more than likes and the NAPA boots will NOT work. My writeup http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/226384-lessons-learned-front-cv-axles-seals-tools.html

I'd spring for the OEM boot kit for OEM axles.

That was the plan. Put a new axle in, then rebuild the old one with an OEM boot kit to have as a spare if the new one breaks/tears.

 

[alia176]

That was the plan. Put a new axle in, then rebuild the old one with an OEM boot kit to have as a spare if the new one breaks/tears.

I wouldn't even bother with buying non OEM axle, to be honest. Just pull the oem axle, swap the new OEM boots on and be done with it. This is not a hard project when you have a garage and the tools. If you really need to have a spare, go get one from NAPA and leave it in the box. I'd much rather keep everything OEM vs bastardized setup.

Speaking of spare axles in the cargo area, be sure also toss in the 35mm socket, a 1/2" or 3/4" breaker bar for the 35mm socket, snap ring pliers and two pry bars in the same box as the axle. It's pointless to have a spare axle in the back and not have the ability to swap it out in the field if the need arises.

My thread that I linked to discusses the different types of outer boots - neoprene vs thermoplastic.

 

[rcebowl]

disregarding... i miss read.

+1 OE or don't brother.

 

[alia176]

disregarding... i miss read.

+1 OE or don't brother.

The oem axles are very expensive so I understand that it can be hard to swing it. But if the vehicle has oem axles already, no way in hell would I swap them out for non oem. Mine came with non oem axles but I scour the ads for OEM axles.

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[rcebowl]

True... I thought it was addressed in thread maybe I missed it.

When I replaced my CV axles with OE ones. I just got them refurb from Napa so I paid a fraction of the price.

There are links on this board regarding how to spot them out. There are differences in the axle designs. I went to 4 different NAPAs in DFW area before I found 2 refurb OE ones.

I think it was worth the time to know they wont snap.