Reboot or buy new CV axles?

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Ogbassist182

New member
Hi all, I'm running into a CV axle leaking grease on both sides. Grease is everywhere. I took it to Toyota and they said I need to replace the CV axle, though a girl who is a "helper" said that. I've seen here around and I don't really trust anything she says, no offence to girls. She just is there to kinda get customers in the general direction they need to be going. Now the question, do i need to just reboot them? (I haven't noticed this grease under my truck for very long, less than a month) or replace the whole CV axle? Napa has my CV axles for 88.99 per, should I go with napa or somewhere else? Napa is local and no core charge.

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I did the Napa CV axel last year and I haven't had any issues, pretty easy job. I heard the NAPA CV is the best one on the forums but I'm sure that's an opinion. The hardest part is getting the CV axel get seated and removing bolts but an impact drill did the job.
 
Ogbassist182 said:
Now the question, do i need to just reboot them? (I haven't noticed this grease under my truck for very long, less than a month) or replace the whole CV axle? Napa has my CV axles for 88.99 per, should I go with napa or somewhere else? Napa is local and no core charge.
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Same problem, with leaks over a long time (many years...). Decided recently to change out CV axles, from doing some more serious wheeling and breaking a boot, getting a bad crunching sound when turning. I got them from Rockauto for $79 each. They come with a heavy duty boot. Will be installing them next weekend.

This video makes it look pretty easy to do yourself if you are going that route (I am).
 
Yes, your photos indicate torn or otherwise leaking boots...possibly the axle end band clamps are missing, I can't tell for sure.

I doubt you'll find anyone willing to reboot for you, maybe an Indie, but definitely not a dealer service dept. It's actually more work than swapping axles since you have to actually remove\install the axle either way*. Then there's the mess and hassle of replacing the boot and filling it with grease. Only special tool you need for DIY is the big socket needed for the axle nut...might be available via loan-a-tool from somenoe. Then, it's just breaker bar, pry bar, and jack stands...torque wrench if you're OCD like me.

*There are split boot repair kits, but I've never read good things about them.
 
I did Napa CVs. They seem like a good quality product.

I was too cheap for Toyota ones. Mine were torn when I bought the 4runner last February with 115k on it so I decided against rebooting them, also they seemed like a lot of the grease was gone.

I've ran the Napa CVs for 10k now with a 2.5in lift and 32in tires. No issues yet and with the lifetime warranty you can't find a better deal.

PS:
Napa's corporate store have a second Saturday sale (actually second and fourth Saturdays of each month) I paid 59 for each and the 4 seals I replaced were cheap.

I've also picked up 6 quarts of Valvoline synthetic and a gold oil filter last Saturday for under 24 bucks.
 
NAPA and Autozone sell OEM remans. Just look at what they have. Make sure it is boxed, wrapped in plastic, and includes the cotter pin, bolt and cotter pin support. Most importantly, make sure it is square to ensure you are getting an OEM CV. I'd stay away from aftermarket CVs, too many problems.
 
bamma said:
NAPA and Autozone sell OEM remans. Just look at what they have. Make sure it is boxed, wrapped in plastic, and includes the cotter pin, bolt and cotter pin support. Most importantly, make sure it is square to ensure you are getting an OEM CV. I'd stay away from aftermarket CVs, too many problems.
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What part of the CV should be "square", just so when I go buy it, I know. I'm assuming that remans=remanufactured?
 
Toyota OEM inner CV is square with a beveled edge (and notches) and the ones that are not Toyota are a cylinder so it is easy to tell the difference.... After some research I've come to the conclusion that the most durable boots available for the 4runner are OEM so my plan is to go with NAPA remans and then reboot with OEM.... More work (and cost) up front but will save me trouble in the long run..... I also looked into getting CVJ reman axels as they offer an option for OEM boots but the cost and the shipping was too much for me....

Remans does = remanufactured
 
I went with an aftermarket one. I had a local indy shop do the repair. I understand the aftermarket CV axles may not be as strong as the OEM Toyota parts but I suspect as long as you don't try to do what this 4th gen owner is doing, you should be okay.

(not sure about the dude in the first minute of this video - he seems proud of what he's doing!!)

 
Realize that there is a ton of research on NAPA CV's. They have a lifetime warrantee and are usually Toyota-reboxed. There is even a guy on the threads whose dad I think is a Toyota Service manager and he stated that the Toyota Dealers go and get the NAPA parts. So... for about $105 you get the last CVs you will ever have to pay for with a no questions asked return policy.
 
wmiranda said:
Realize that there is a ton of research on NAPA CV's. They have a lifetime warrantee and are usually Toyota-reboxed. There is even a guy on the threads whose dad I think is a Toyota Service manager and he stated that the Toyota Dealers go and get the NAPA parts. So... for about $105 you get the last CVs you will ever have to pay for with a no questions asked return policy.
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Good to know, so on the napa website, it states "new cv axle" and "remaned cv axle" is it actually new... If the new ones are just remans, then what are the remans?

remaned

new
 
And also, for a complete cv axle replacement, what do I need to buy besides the axles themselves? Anti seize? Washers? Cotter pins? Grease?
 
wmiranda said:
Realize that there is a ton of research on NAPA CV's. They have a lifetime warrantee and are usually Toyota-reboxed. There is even a guy on the threads whose dad I think is a Toyota Service manager and he stated that the Toyota Dealers go and get the NAPA parts. So... for about $105 you get the last CVs you will ever have to pay for with a no questions asked return policy.
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http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/118912-if-you-have-used-napa-cv-axles-please-reply.html

Here he is. See post #14 for the story.

There are some different choices available for the Napa axles. I vaguely remember opening the box and checking that I got the right "more heavy duty looking" one. I got the more expensive ones, I believe?

Those heavy duty napa axles seem to be the ones this fella is talking about. I think the confusion over the 2 price points is why there are so may people that are all over the place on opinions about their quality and durability.
 
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They seem like a good quality product.
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I had the same issue on mine, both sides torn, one completely separated. Honestly I would pull both and swap. Toyotas design of the LCA with the two bolts to disconnect it makes the job a lot easier than most. I dont know youre comfort level but its actually a pretty easy job. With that being said, when and if you pull yours I would pay the 25 bucks or whatever it costs for new inner axle seals. Mine werent leaking from the diff when I pulled em but they were physically falling apart so I changed em too... Just adds some insurance and since youre already there its worth doing. And like someone else mentioned the axles arent all that expensive to buy on your own. I got the Cardone I believe but they were the HD boots so theyre stronger and wont tear. They felt really sturdy and I was glad I got em when I felt them. As for just rebooting, I would think of the internals of the axles. If the boots have been torn youve had dirty water, mud and other debris getting in and compromising the internals. So by rebooting youd be effectively locking all that debris in. Just my thoughts. Good luck!
 
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I've never had experience with the Napa axles but i do have one in the back of my truck as a extra back up spare. I have heard from numerous people over the years that none of the after market axles are a strong as the OEM Toyota axles. Their great for some applications and every day use depending on what you do with your truck but if you wheel or go off road frequently they are definitely weaker and more prone to snapping. Also i tried running a aftermarket upgraded Cardone select CV from Rockauto and couldn't use it because it was binding when i would turn because of my lift so i had to go back to running OEM CV's, I'm not sure if i would have the same issue with the Napa ones haven't every tried one.
 
Ogbassist182 said:
installed the new cv axles today. Got em from napa, they seem like good quality. They looked almost identical to my oem ones.
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Good for you man, the CV axels from NAPA are the way to go especially with the warranty.

To set the axl back in, set up the axel in the diff and hub and push it in by grabbling on the rotor. My clicked in beautifully, getting it out is a PITA!
 
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