Not all CV axles are the same!

[CSL]

I am f____ing pissed!

I just spent most the day installing a new CV axle assembly that I got from Advanced Auto. At full droop, the tire won't even turn. The other side with the factory axle still on spins just fine at the same droop WTF!!

I even put a jack under the lower ball joint to try to test the wheel as close to ride height as I could and it was still jerking and poping. WTF!!

Please someone tell me that CV axles have to "break in" to start rolling smoothly. If thats the case, then how long should that take.

If that's not true, than I am taking this peice of crap back to the store and getting another one from the toyota dealership. Damn, that will be pricey...

I feel like I just wasted my whole saturday...

 

[shawnstcyr]

No, there should be no break in period. I've changed tons of these things. I have run into a few that were too short from the auto parts stores. Usually they will grind, because the splines aren't fully seated.

 

[CSL]

No, there should be no break in period. I've changed tons of these things. I have run into a few that were too short from the auto parts stores. Usually they will grind, because the splines aren't fully seated.

No grind- totally locked up at full flex. I am afraid to go wheeling until I get this fixed.
I guess I just need to find a refirbished toyota axle. Damn.

Lesson for changing CV axles:
Don't put your head behind the crowbar when prying it out of the diff, says the bloody lump on my head.

 

[CSL]

Problem Solved!!

So I have been driving around town for the last couple weeks in the 4runner and the CV axle works fine. However, when jacked up and the tire is at full droop, it still locks.

In the meantime, my freaking awesome neighbor gave my original Toyota CV to a good friend of his who works for a dealer. Cost of Toyota boots and $20 and I just got delivered to my door a beautiful refirbished CV axle. :reddance::jump: Even better, I got both boots replaced and he said the joints were still in great shape!!!

Here is the interesting part:

The Toyota mechanic says he has heard of this happening a lot with aftermarket CV axles and folks who off road. As soon as the wheel is off the ground and drops, the axle snaps. The rest of the 4runner/tacoma drivers that never get off the pavement, never have any problems.

Three lessons:
1) always use Toyota CV axles
2) if you do buy aftermarket, always lift the rig from it's frame, let the wheel drop completely, and see how it spins.
3) always treat your neighbors and friends well.

I can't wait to get this refirbished axle in the rig and get on the trails...I havent' even gotten to test out my new LC coils yet...

 

[shawnstcyr]

Lovin' my lifted LC coils. They ride smooth, but are tearing the hell out of my gas tank! I wonder why no one ever posts this fact as a warning to others? I am gonna get that Isuzu gas tank and eliminate my stock one.

 

[CSL]

Lovin' my lifted LC coils. They ride smooth, but are tearing the hell out of my gas tank! I wonder why no one ever posts this fact as a warning to others? I am gonna get that Isuzu gas tank and eliminate my stock one.

HUH?

Your going to have to elaborate on this one, Shawn. How is the gas tank involved?

 

[Pikeman]

If the adjustable panhard bar is to long when the drivers side goes full stuff the drive flange hits the fuel tank. This is also why Steve includes a panhead screw to replace the zerk fitting with his kits. I did not install the screw and now have to extract the broken off zerk. However it is a little self clearancing..lol I still had to shorten mine a little to not get the rub. I have a nice wear mark on my drive flange and a bashed fuel tank(factory skid/ protective cover). I didnt mention this because I thought I just didnt measure correctly when I installed the panhard so was my own fault.

 

[shawnstcyr]

If the adjustable panhard bar is to long when the drivers side goes full stuff the drive flange hits the fuel tank. This is also why Steve includes a panhead screw to replace the zerk fitting with his kits. I did not install the screw and now have to extract the broken off zerk. However it is a little self clearancing..lol I still had to shorten mine a little to not get the rub. I have a nice wear mark on my drive flange and a bashed fuel tank(factory skid/ protective cover). I didnt mention this because I thought I just didnt measure correctly when I installed the panhard so was my own fault.

I, as of yet, have not installed a panhard modification or extended bump stops. My grease zerk on the shaft was the first victim. My yoke and the shaft all the way to about 12 inches forward of the slip yoke rub at full flex. I lifted the rear 5 1/2 to 6 inches. I think I'm just gonna get rid of that tank and put an armored one where my spare tire used to go.

 

[Pikeman]

the lowered bump stops will get rid of alot of that but I am really confused if you are still running the stock panhard. One would think since the passenger side is fixed to the frame and the distance is set then how would it rub more then if you had the stock suspension. Never mind just figured it out. the passengeri is swinging more bringing it closer although slightly lower in the Arc.

 

[CSL]

I am completely confused.

Okay, I have looked under my rig a few times and I can't see any possible way the panhard bar would hit the gas tank. It's on the complete other side of the rear axle!!

You guys have got to clarify what your talking about...
:thanks:

 

[uluafishing]

I encountered the same issue when I thought I'd be "smart" and replace the entire axle instead of replacing the factory boots...

I bought and Empi axle from NAPA...that thing binded at ride height (I have a small lift installed) while turning.

I ended up replacing the factory boots...really easy and much cheaper than an aftermarket axle assembly.

Aloha!

 

[shawnstcyr]

http://picasaweb.google.com/shawnstcyr/NewFlexPics?authkey=Gv1sRgCJa1ksrY6ZOnTQ#5390777517317880562

Okay, I have looked under my rig a few times and I can't see any possible way the panhard bar would hit the gas tank. It's on the complete other side of the rear axle!!

You guys have got to clarify what your talking about...
:thanks:

Look at the above picture. Just go out and flex it really hard on the passenger side. You'll see. Drew has the same issues and Ric as well. When you flex, especially with the rear swaybar links disconnected, the passenger side of the axle swings forward. This allows the drive shaft to cock into the gas tank. I am kicking around the idea of lengthening the upper track arms. This should straighten out the angle of the shaft, where it goes into the rear end. Also it is reasonable to believe it might prevent the axle from shifting so far forward. The panhard only adjusts the side to side travel of the rear end.

BTW, anyone know where to get extended rear swaybar links?

 

[CSL]

Doh! I miss read a post above. Its the drive shaft that hits the tank!!

I was reading this as it being the panhard bar itself hitting it, which seemed impossible.

uluafishing, thanks for chiming in. It's interesting to hear from someone else who this has happened to. I am going to try to get my re-firbed axle in tonight or maybe first thing in the morning.

 

[Pikeman]

I replaced my passenger side with an Empi and have had no issues yet and both my inner boots are torn again. I am thinking off doing full axle replacement then taking the two factory ones for rebuild. Once I get them back from rebuild swap them out and then keep the aftermarket ones for Trail spares. I ordered up my lower ball joints today so I can join the crew of New ball joint guys.

SHAWN-- www.wabfab.org I just ordered front and rear sway bar links from them, the fronts can be regular or disconnects. Same price either way so I ordered the disco's. I think was $265 for both sets with shipping. I think I saw Ric's 3rd Gen in his Customers Rigs section. Also the problem of lengthening the link arms is at full stuff it would push the tire back and into the fender and bumper end. I am running 285/75's and at stuff my tire has almost no clearance in the wheel well. I posted some more pics in show us your flex shots in the Off-road section I think is now the next to last page.

 

[shawnstcyr]

I replaced my passenger side with an Empi and have had no issues yet and both my inner boots are torn again. I am thinking off doing full axle replacement then taking the two factory ones for rebuild. Once I get them back from rebuild swap them out and then keep the aftermarket ones for Trail spares. I ordered up my lower ball joints today so I can join the crew of New ball joint guys.

SHAWN-- www.wabfab.org I just ordered front and rear sway bar links from them, the fronts can be regular or disconnects. Same price either way so I ordered the disco's. I think was $265 for both sets with shipping. I think I saw Ric's 3rd Gen in his Customers Rigs section. Also the problem of lengthening the link arms is at full stuff it would push the tire back and into the fender and bumper end. I am running 285/75's and at stuff my tire has almost no clearance in the wheel well. I posted some more pics in show us your flex shots in the Off-road section I think is now the next to last page.

Thanks, I'll check that out.

 

[shawnstcyr]

Yeah, that's Ric's old rig, RIP. Those seem extremely easy to build. Think I'll just get some all-thread and 2 ball joints, and save tons of $$$$.

 

[Pikeman]

yeah I figured with my work load I would just order them, funny I can build a bumper but not an end link. Never did hear what happened to his 3rd Gen RIP? Did it get totalled?

 

[shawnstcyr]

yeah I figured with my work load I would just order them, funny I can build a bumper but not an end link. Never did hear what happened to his 3rd Gen RIP? Did it get totalled?

Yeah, he told me the lower ball joint broke as he went over a railroad crossing. He said the truck nearly went tail over nose. Insurance totalled it, so he got a 2004 V-8. The Armorology bumper was intact and sold to someone else. After hearing this, and having to pull Sn0wRunner off of the trail ( causing much collateral damage), I did mine the following week.

 

[Pikeman]

The issue with Snow is what got me to order mine( lower ball joints) this morning, had to wait for the funds. I have Uniballs up top and just heard my lowers starting to clunk last week.