First CV axle replacement

[puppetz007]

This weekend I'm planning on tackling my first CV axle replacement. I've done some searching here and found some good stuff. This link has been particularly helpful...Toyota Maintenance: CV Axle Replacement on 3rd Generation 4Runners and Tacomas

Is there any tips, tricks, tools, or words of advise that would be good to know before I get started? Thanks.

 

[LittleCaesar]

The one 4runner CV axle I have replaced was relatively easy. Bungee cords are your friend along with some strong zip ties. The CVs are easy to pop out and snap back in as long as you have a pry bar; I have had to use a slide hammer on small FWD car CV removal before. I would recommend new LBJ bolts if the old ones are original, in fact I'd say replace both LBJs if they are original if you have the $$$.

Just follow the DYI. It covers everything.

I replaced mine with one from Oreilys; I have been meaning to get my OEM rebuilt but have not gotten around to it.

 

[theizzardking]

just did both of mine this weekend, very easy, nothing to fidddly and everything is straight forward, only tips is to get a really big breaker bar,pry bar and dead blow.

i thought this was going to be a bit more involved then what it was, but went very quickly thanks to the help of a few our forum members here, in fact i thought it was going to be so bad i waited until these guys could help, in the end it wasn't a big deal and could have easily done it myself.

i too have my oem's im going to rebuild when i get around to it, still wanting to get the boot situation resolved

 

[Pikeman]

The first time I did a CV I followed that write up and was about an hour and a half a side. Now after a few changes I am in the 30-45 minute range. Each one is different. sometimes they just don't want to pop out and give up a fight.

Tips.
1. jack one side at a time if doing two. This will cause it to lean and you will loose less fluid out of the diff.
2. Be patient and take your time.
3. Use a second prybar or big wrench to hold up Upper control arm. once you raise upper control arm place object on top of shock tower and under UCA, this will keep the UCA from falling.

 

[techno]

I did my first one a few weekends ago. I thought it was very easy. I don't understand why that write up has the step with the bottle jack forcing the UCA down. I did not do that and had no reason to. I simply removed the 4 LBJ bolts and the whole hub assembly lifted up about an inch. For reassembly I used a floor jack to raise the LCA into position to put the 4 bolts back in.

 

[the great him]

look bottom line here is this job is so dang easy i dont understand how people have issues with it. i can swap out both sides in under an hour and thats with out air tools, so if you have either an electric impact or air impact then you should be able to do it in about an hour your first go around. once you get the wheel off its a 5 bolt job, pikeman had a good point about lifting one side at a time, so you dont lose so much diff fluid you might want to think of doint that, but if you dont, you wont lose that much, maybe a couple of ounces

 

[puppetz007]

Thanks to everyone who chimed in with advice!! Got my cv axle changed with little problem!arty:

 

[hrt4me]

Thanks to everyone who chimed in with advice!! Got my cv axle changed with little problem!arty:

how long did it take you?

 

[Slow_T4R]

how long did it take you?

Holy thread resurrection!

 

[jmc282]

dumb question but its my first time do I have to have an alignment done after the new CV axles are put in

 

[JMunn55]

You aren't changing any suspension or steering components so I would say you do not need an alignment

 

[mtbtim]

Here's how [MENTION=102606]infamousRNR[/MENTION] and I did a CV Axle Replacement with a Reboot Procedure and Extended Boot Mod on his rig.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vcCT4UgFUTw" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[Mshaps024]

price matters??

So i've decided to replace my cv axles. first time and wondering about which product I should use on my '03 4runner. the dealer quoted me over $500 of the part. one of them. that seems insane because my mechanic quoted me $570 to do the job. Carquest in my neighborhood quoted me $85 per, so $170 for the set. Should I just do the car quest ones? They were really helpful with my last project.

Thanks!

 

[drallan]

I have don't both of mine on both a 99 and 04 4runner. Pretty easy. I don't wheel or anything, just grocery getters. I think I ordered the Cardine off Amazone pretty cheap. Haven't had any problem.

1 important thing to keep in mind. MAKE SURE YOU CAN REMOVE THE FRONT DIFF FILL PLUG BEFORE BEGINNING. I made the mistake of not making sure I could remove the front fill plug and swapped out my drivers side, only to to find I couldn't top it off. Fortunately, I didn't loose much fluid. But I had to drive around low on diff lube for a week or two before I could get it to the shop.