Front Axle

[sport2004]

In the course of a brake job (and brake fluid flush) the dealership says they want to replace the right front axle, noting a cracked boot. They also said they could detect a 'clicking' sound and asked If I did, too, which I have not. 4 bills.

For now I said no, but I'd appreciate some insight from anyone better acquainted with the issue. This delayed my suspension job, but I may have the installer look at the boot and axle in the near future.

(I also was surprised to learn that the dealership sources aftermarket parts and that the cost difference compared to OEM is virtually negligible and the warranty is the same. I also ran the estimate by another dealership, further away, less convenient, and the estimate was a tad less, but close enough not to bother.)

 

[waypoint]

After reading all the bad outcomes with aftermarket new axles (non-CVJ, of course) and chinese rebuilds, I got a pair of used ones from LKQ with low mileage. Outer dust shield/seal plates were damaged on both, but easily replaced for around $17 part. I did the job myself following posts here and on YouTube...not easy but a straightforward process with the right tools.

 

[BMeister]

There's tons of threads on axle discussions.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/210134-any-decent-cv-axle-outside-cvj.html

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/247506-cardone-cv-shaft.html

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-g...gen-need-parts-advice-front-cv-axles-hub.html

In one of them, there's a link to a write up on how to do yourself.

And if you're feeling adventurous, you can try and replace just the boot.


http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/176734-how-replace-your-cv-boots-4th-gen.html


But since you say it's clicking, then I would replace the axle.

 

[sport2004]

There's tons of threads on axle discussions.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/210134-any-decent-cv-axle-outside-cvj.html

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/247506-cardone-cv-shaft.html

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-g...gen-need-parts-advice-front-cv-axles-hub.html

In one of them, there's a link to a write up on how to do yourself.

And if you're feeling adventurous, you can try and replace just the boot.


http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/176734-how-replace-your-cv-boots-4th-gen.html


But since you say it's clicking, then I would replace the axle.

Thank you.