Replacing CV axleshafts, what else?

[bluecollarjock]

98 4runner with 160k miles and 2.5" lift. CV boots have been broken since I bought it 9 months ago.

This summer was going to replace them with new axleshafts and special CV boots to help with mild lifts from :
CVJ Axles, Inc.
4101 Brighton Blvd.
Denver, CO 80216
800-292-2953
303-297-2448
303-297-0650 Fax
[email protected]

Aside from replacing them, with the mileage I have, and whatever parts they will need to take off to replace axleshafts, is there something else I should replace while its apart to save money in the future? I dont know anything about Toyotas or IFS...didnt know if balljoints or other parts in that area need repairs and I should spend money now...ive seen threads on here of guys front ends having issues where something snaps and the dang wheel just breaks off and smashes up into the body, or worse if it was high speed could be injury or death.

Planning on getting this done so I can do some wheeling and long distance trips this summer. Might throw on ARB bumper with some better lighting as well.

Thanks.

 

[Dous]

Yep change the ball joints, possibly the tie rods too. All really easy to do, even the CV axle.

You have to disconnect the ball joint to change a CV so you are already halfway done with replacing the ball joint.

CVJ does good work, great customer service too

 

[bluecollarjock]

thanks! Any advice on brands of ball joint and place to get them at fair price? Im going to try to buy whatever parts upfront and drop off at one of two mechanics I use who are both good. But if I dont buy the parts they buy whatever parts you know and whatever price....

 

[LittleCaesar]

This should say it all:
Toyota 4Runner and Tacoma - 4x4Wire

Oh, since you are having the mechanic do the work, I'd get:
OEM ball joints: I don't have the part numbers at the moment.
8 (4 per side) bolts that attach the lower ball joint to the knuckle. Part# 90080-10066.
If you have any slop in the steering, look to replace the inner and outer tie rods as well.

Toyota of Dallas gives good pricing on parts.

 

[bluecollarjock]

Thanks you guys are great

 

[LittleCaesar]

The part numbers for the lower ball joints:
LH LBJ:43340-39465
RH LBJ: 43330-39585

Good luck with it all.

 

[bluecollarjock]

You are the man...in the next few weeks Ill order the axles from Colorado and call the Toyota parts sponsor on here you mention to get the other parts, thanks for listing the part numbers!

I dont have any slop in my steering, should I worry about ordering tie rod parts then? Are they expensive or worth it to just replace now while I get work done??

I can send my original toyota axles back to Colorado for $50 return from deposit.....or if they are still good just have broken boots, should I keep them for spares??? I could use the money, on a medical pension and in grad school so I live month to month...any extra money counts...but if its smart to keep the stock axles Ill do it

 

[bluecollarjock]

Toyota of Dallas is same as TRD parts right?

 

[bluecollarjock]

Lucky me the ball joints and those bolts look affordable and wont kill the bank...and the CVJ new axles are $118 or something with some heavy duty "red boot" they said lasts longer off road....

Once finals are over in a few weeks Ill pull out the credit card and treat myself to new axles, ball joints, and maybe the tie rod ends just to be safe...and surf around looking for cheap ARB bumper!

 

[J-money$$$]

the CVJ new axles are $118 or something with some heavy duty "red boot" they said lasts longer off road....
!

Thats a little high. May be good and all but you can find lifetime cv joints for $60 at most parts stores.

Napa makes good cv joints and they are $90 with a lifetime warranty.

 

[Dous]

Yea not to bash CVJ, but I installed a CVJ and an Autozone CV at the same time.

Guess which one broke first?

The CVJ OEM rebuild.

As much as I want to buy another CVJ, money is not super abundant right now, so Autozone it is.

The prices I paid....
CVJ ($150) No warranty for breakage that I can see
Autozone ($53) Lifetime warranty, available right down the street

 

[bluecollarjock]

Thanks guys....well my decision on that was based on threads on here with folks saying to get my Toyota originals rebuilt or CVJ because the boot is heavier duty or something to help with the angle of mild lifts....

Before I go auto parts store chinese my mechanic does have someone in town who can just rebuild my Toyota ones....maybe thats the route to go..

The more money I save the more likely I can pull the trigger on an ARB bumper and some nice lights (so opinions on lights and ARB bumper welcome too!)

 

[LittleCaesar]

I am using an O'reilys CV axle for the past two years. For $75, it is a lifetime warranty. No problems with it. I wanted NAPA, but around here the independent NAPA owners think they have NASCAR lineage (the CV was $45 higher for me) so they charge higher prices.

If you can find someone to rebuild the axles locally (it is LA, you should), that would be the way to go. You can get an OEM boot kit for I think $35 each side.

If you are a decent shade tree mechanic, then I would be off to NAPA or O'reliys.

 

[J-money$$$]

Thanks guys....well my decision on that was based on threads on here with folks saying to get my Toyota originals rebuilt or CVJ because the boot is heavier duty or something to help with the angle of mild lifts....

Before I go auto parts store chinese my mechanic does have someone in town who can just rebuild my Toyota ones....maybe thats the route to go.

I beat the heck out of my truck and the napas hold up just fine. If your going to pay a dime more for an oem rebuilt one I would say its not worth it. i hear the napas are a1 cardone or something and rockauto.com sells the same cv joint. I am not sure of it but it might be worth looking into because they are about $60 from rock auto.

Arb bumpers are so so. I dont think they are worth the cash they want for a new one. Back when I bought mine they were a couple hundred less and there were not many other options out there. And with some nice plate bumpers like the 4xinnovations that costs less i dont see a benefit for the arb. Now that i have cut mine up to my liking its worth anything, But its free to keep. Btw these arbs bend and dent quite easily.

if you want lights there are so many options out there. I have had a few sets. First some cheap ipfs and they were good for the money, Then I ran a set of hella 700's with a 55watt hid kit and they were too bright so I sold then for what i bought them for. Now I rock a set of light force 170 with the wide filters and couldnt be happier. Quality will cost you

 

[bluecollarjock]

thanks guys!!

Well Ill get a quote from my 4x4 guy who said they could be rebuilt down the street. yea im in LA so lots of places probably can do it.

Damn so ARB isnt all that...I did see threads on here guys paid $700 and I looked them up and now they are like $850. I waffled a Lexus with my Hanson stubby bumper on my TJ so was thinking some protection for the 4runner would be nice too. Ill check out that other bumper you mentioned...ive looked at the bumper threads and there are so many options its confusing, plus some of them look beastly and heavy and I dont want to bog down the front end. The ARB looked clean and solid and was hoping I could score one for $700ish.

ive had the old Hella 500s which work ok for the $50 or whatever they used to be at Walmarts and such! Ive had the Hella original Black Magics and they were kick ass, about $250 but I think they discontinued the kind I used to have. Ive had the old KC daylighters and my 4runner has 4 old school rectangual KC driving lights and 2 KC foglights, if I got the ARB figured getting two potent higher end lights would put out better light and look cleaner, sell the KCs on Craigslist to recoup some cash. I also wonder about those LED strips that are in all the magazines now, looks like a few of the lights are long distance and then they put a few wide floods, wondered if anyone had used them.

Darn, thanks for the input might have to rethink the ARB and look at other bumpers that might be better and cheaper of course would always be nice haha...

As for axleshafts I see what rebuilding the current stock ones would cost, and here is what CVJ said :
"Option #2 back to the Red Silicone Boot. (Our offroad customers tell us that these last longer than the neoprene, especially with the higher lifts).
This boot is $32 in addition to the axle cost. Or $116.00 for the axle with the Red Silicone inner boot. We can build a pair with one day notice."

This isnt a bumper or light thread but since you guys have been so darn nice and helpful Im all ears about your opinions on bumper and lights too, and where good places to order!

Im not a shade tree mechanic, most places Ive lived and when I grew up always had buddies who could fix things...a few beers and pizza took care of business...not here...even if I could do work, I live in a city near the ocean where you dont have driveways or anywhere to work on anything....street parking...one of these days Ill move back to America

 

[bluecollarjock]

Those Savage bumpers look BAD ASS....and half the price of an ARB!! I need to do some reading up on them in threads to see how folks like them...look solid.