Heavy duty CV axles...worth it?

[AMLOR]

I have been looking at up grading the CV axles to a much more HD option.
Given the nearly $2000.00 price tag for the RCV set and the (slightly cheaper) Lotus Development units...
At nearly 5X the price of stock replacement units, are we actually getting what we are paying for? or as P.T. Barnum said "There is a sucker born every minute"
I have nightmares about having to replace one of these on the trail in the middle of nowhere...

Your thoughts please!
AMLOR

 

[Jeremy556]

The OEM CVs are strong. I'm still on mine at 275k miles at nearly 6klbs on 34" MTRs locked with lots of rock crawling. I have not seen a modern Toyota CV axle broken. I've seen tons of aftermarket ones broken.

If you get something stronger, where are you moving the failure point to? I'd rather replace a CV axle on the trail than a front diff.

 

[llDemonll]

Unless you're bouncing the wheels off rocks when trying to climb or really stressing them with mudpits or something the stock ones should be more than adequate.

Also keep in mind that the weakest link will break. If you get bulletproof axles and something has to snap, it's going to be a wheel, hub, or internal transmission / transfer case component. I'd always pick an axle over one of those to break.

 

[Jetboy]

I don't know what it takes to break an OEM CV - but it's a lot. They are much much stronger than the old IFS setups of the 90's. Also these are easy (relatively) to swap on the trail. Far easier than a classic solid axle birfied. And also easier than something like a 100 series land cruiser. The reason is that the lower ball joint unbolts. So you can swap them in the field in a pretty short time if you know what you're doing. I used to always carry a spare shaft - two of them actually. Having not broken one in 6 years - I'm sold that they're very strong. I still carry my spare shaft - but I doubt I'll ever use it. And I only bring one along now.

 

[AMLOR]

I don't know what it takes to break an OEM CV - but it's a lot. They are much much stronger than the old IFS setups of the 90's. Also these are easy (relatively) to swap on the trail. Far easier than a classic solid axle birfied. And also easier than something like a 100 series land cruiser. The reason is that the lower ball joint unbolts. So you can swap them in the field in a pretty short time if you know what you're doing. I used to always carry a spare shaft - two of them actually. Having not broken one in 6 years - I'm sold that they're very strong. I still carry my spare shaft - but I doubt I'll ever use it. And I only bring one along now.

Thank you gentlemen!! this is the feedback I was hoping would be the case.
A couple of questions if you dont mind...

1. Are any of you re greasing and replacing boots as a part of your regular maintenance?
2. Once a boot tears, can (have you) pulled the shaft, cleaned, re greased and rebooted the shaft, or did you replace it?
3. is there a source for a slightly different design boot or perhaps a silicone one that would be harder to tear or wear through that you are aware of?

Thank you for all your assistance!
AMLOR

 

[Jeremy556]

1. No. I've rebooted both of my CVs once per side in 275k miles. First time was somewhere in 90-125k miles on driver side because I had my ride height set too high, the second one was recently on the passenger side, I guess just wear/age.
2. I've rebooted mine - Toyota sells a kit with the boots and grease for like $50.
3. I believe CVJ sells some sort of aftermarket boot that they claim is better, but i've not used it.

 

[bayaz]

I beg to differ. Have 2020 4Runner and my driver side CV axle has a crack right in the housing that attaches to the diff. There is now play in it as the grease has been constantly leaking despite my attempts to epoxy it, so I’m looking to replace the CV axle. Not going to use the Chinese ones, but also not happy with the Toyota quality. I’m open to recommendations.

 

[21venture]

Check out CVJ Axle out of Colorado. Getting ready to order a replacement for the FJ.

CVJ Axles - CV Axles & Steering Racks for all your needs

 

[Too Stroked]

I beg to differ. Have 2020 4Runner and my driver side CV axle has a crack right in the housing that attaches to the diff. There is now play in it as the grease has been constantly leaking despite my attempts to epoxy it, so I’m looking to replace the CV axle. Not going to use the Chinese ones, but also not happy with the Toyota quality. I’m open to recommendations.

Remember, even the best manufacturing and quality assurance processes occasionally produce a defective part. Just because you have a defective (or possibly damaged) OEM shaft should not be reason to condemn all of those parts.

BTW: Epoxy is not a recognized repair process for cracked shafts.

 

[rayofsi]

I beg to differ. Have 2020 4Runner and my driver side CV axle has a crack right in the housing that attaches to the diff. There is now play in it as the grease has been constantly leaking despite my attempts to epoxy it, so I’m looking to replace the CV axle. Not going to use the Chinese ones, but also not happy with the Toyota quality. I’m open to recommendations.

lol, you shouldn't be working on your 4runner if thats how you are trying to fix things..a 2020 should be under warranty, but when they see the epoxy, it's probably void.

i have rcv axles that were sent back twice, so hard to say whats good quality or not.

 

[Too Stroked]

lol, you shouldn't be working on your 4runner if thats how you are trying to fix things..a 2020 should be under warranty, but when they see the epoxy, it's probably void.

i have rcv axles that were sent back twice, so hard to say whats good quality or not.

Absolutely correct! And having spent 35+ years in manufacturing, I can guarantee you that the low volume / custom / HD axles have less process control in their manufacturing process than OEM. They may be heavier duty by design, but the variability in the manufacturing process is is far greater.

 

[bayaz]

lol, you shouldn't be working on your 4runner if thats how you are trying to fix things..a 2020 should be under warranty, but when they see the epoxy, it's probably void.

i have rcv axles that were sent back twice, so hard to say whats good quality or not.

The CV tripod cracked on the trail. I think the truck landed on a sharp rock and voila. In other words, it’s as a result of an external impact so warranty wouldn’t cover it.

 

[Too Stroked]

The CV tripod cracked on the trail. I think the truck landed on a sharp rock and voila. In other words, it’s as a result of an external impact so warranty wouldn’t cover it.

So you're saying that a one in a million impact with a sharp rock while off-roading cracked the joint and that means all Toyota OEM axle shafts are junk? It might be just me, but I'm struggling with your logic.

 

[violation]

i broke my toyota oem cv's, so now you all can say you know of at least one dumbass who was able to break them.

i have lotus development ones now.

probably broke them around 120k-ish. have 130k on the rig now. but to be fair, it wasn't the cv's fault. i was running both front and rear air lockers and that's what busted the cv's (and not a sharp rock... is my theory, anyway). live and learn. an expensive lesson.

edit: on a 3rd gen.