Replacing Front Axle

[Desert Fox]

I am trying to decide if I should try to replace my front axle or take it to a mechanic.

The parts are around $100, I have most of the tools and I am pretty mechanical- just changed front rotors and pads. The dealer wants around $600 which is way to high. I see this as about 1-2 hours for a skilled experienced mechanic. About 4-6 hours if I do it (and all goes well).

What are your experiences and thoughts in doing this work.

 

[4gin007]

i have a 4wheel drive and i replaced the front driver axle in about twenty nimutes without air tools. please dont pay someone 600 to do what you could do yourself in your driveway. its easy, if you did your brakes then you can easly do the axle.

 

[TRDCal]

i have a 4wheel drive and i replaced the front driver axle in about twenty nimutes without air tools.

I'll believe that when my **** turns purple and smells like rainbow sherbet

 

[mrrab]

I'll believe that when my **** turns purple and smells like rainbow sherbet

LOL!

I too will believe this when unicorns start farting skittles!

Here's a good write-up on how to do it. Just make sure you torque back to specs.

CV AXLE: Replacement and repair w/ pics - Toyota FJ Cruiser Forum

 

[jstutz101]

I've used this write up, worked well for me and you dont have to take as much stuff apart - http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/101038-how-install-new-cv-axles.html#post914207

 

[settytb]

I wrote the write up that jstutz posted. With air tools and having done it like 5 times. It's about a 45 minute job after knowing what your doing. Without air tools I would say a bit over an hour. Without doing it before plan a couple. The secret of getting the axle out and in is a long pry bar and a big hammer...go bigger on the hammer weight and not super hard on the hits...But it isn't that hard to do. It's tough to get the sway bar nut off without air tools as it spins freely so I used some channel locks to hold it an messed up the boot...(don't recommend that).

 

[superman3043]

You can do it Marine. I did mine a little over a week ago. Wasn't too bad at all. I've got some lessons learned from the install posted on my build thread that you could read to know what you're in for. Feel free to PM me if you get stuck on anything but I'm sure you'll be fine.

Just tear into it and have fun.

Semper Fi!

 

[stownsend82]

Hello, first post here.

Just an FYI. I recently replaced my inboard cv boot and when I pulled the CV joint from the knuckle I noticed my wheel bearing seal was damaged. I don't think I damaged it by removing the CV joint. I just think it was old. I have an '05 v8 with 93,000ish. It was a $35 part from Toyota. I ordered from Rock Auto but they sent the wrong part. Anyway when I saw this I went ahead and replaced the CV boot and put everything back together. Ordered the part and replaced the seal the next weekend.

 

[stownsend82]

You might also plan to have some 3/4" drive sockets handy. The nut holding the CV joing to the hub is like a 37mm socket or I think a 1 3/8" socket works too. I also rented a Pitman arm puller and tie rod end puller from autozone. Not necessary but I like having all the tools so I can do the job in one sitting.

 

[Desert Fox]

You might also plan to have some 3/4" drive sockets handy. The nut holding the CV joing to the hub is like a 37mm socket or I think a 1 3/8" socket works too. I also rented a Pitman arm puller and tie rod end puller from autozone. Not necessary but I like having all the tools so I can do the job in one sitting.

Is it a 37mm or 35mm socket? Threads I have read say 35mm

 

[settytb]

Should be 35mm I've seen a couple after market cv axles ship with a 37mm nut but it should be 35.

 

[4gin007]

20mins once the wheel is off, in my driveway no f@#king lie. It was prob alot easier since i did it the weekend prior with air tools and all the bolts where broke loose. I replaced the same axle twice in 2-3 weeks due to faulty autozone remans. Please dont doubt my mechanical abilities as ive been dealing with tools and cars/ trucks since i was 13. Replacing an axle in a 4runner, on my scale, an easy fix.

 

[TRDCal]

20mins once the wheel is off

Yah because taking the wheel off is the time consuming part. :withstupid:

 

[4gin007]

yea im just kidding guys. its really hard to replace an axle, in literally took me two days to do it. i had to have all my toyota friends help me with it. the hardest part was finding a socket for the axle nut. i think you should take it to a dealer, spare yourself the time and trouble. it would be money well spent and make sure to get the extended warranty.

 

[TRDCal]

if youve never done it before then you shouldnt comment on this thread

I'm not going argue with you because I know the truth, but it would be nice if you didn't litter this thread with BS because it's going mislead people.

Also, who are you saying has "never done this before". I've done multiple axles on my own vehicles, one of which was on the 4runner.

EDIT: Oh looks like you changed you post #14 because the part I quoted isn't there anymore. A liar wouldn't do that, no. And if your wondering how I got the quote before you edited it. I'm in the arctic working and it took 30mins of refreshing the web page to finally get it to work. BUSTED!

 

[4gin007]

not really busted just dont feel the need to prove myself to you so i erased the first argumentive post and wrote a smart ass remark cause thats all you deserve. the truth of the matter is what i said in post #2, its not misleading, its the truth. the point of my post was to let the op know that its an easy fix he can do himself, without spending $600 at the dealer. if it takes him 1.5hrs its still alot better than paying a dealer. AGREE? honestly what would b the gain of me lying about this situation? i dont know u personaly or anyone else on this forum, ill prob never meet anyone here and would never work on anyones vehichle. what would be the point of me lying? plus your the one trashing this thread. you havent said one helpful thing in regards to the op issue, all youve done is bash me. hope it was fun :reddance: :reddance:

 

[TRDCal]

the truth of the matter is what i said in post #2, its not misleading, its the truth. the point of my post was to let the op know that its an easy fix he can do himself, without spending $600 at the dealer. if it takes him 1.5hrs its still alot better than paying a dealer. AGREE?

The reason it's misleading is because your saying it should take 20 minutes. So then when the OP gets to the 20 minute mark and he's still breaking the ball joint he might question himself saying "am I doing this right?" That is just to use the OP as an example, I'm not saying anything about his mech. skills.

Obviously I don't want anyone to waste money at the dealership and I'm not saying it's a hard job...but it is time consuming, and will take even the most experienced mechanic 45mins (maybe 40mins if everything goes really well). Plus, the fact that your the only person that has ever claimed you can do this job in 20mins and that nobody has chimed in backing up your ridiculous claim, makes it unrealiable. Hope it was fun :reddance: :reddance: :flipoff:

 

[Desert Fox]

I have the parts, tools and write ups. I have studied the procedure and feel pretty confident that I can get it done in a short amount of time.

Did not mean for this to start any trouble.

I called the dealer for a price of the axel- $487. bought it at Autozone for $69.

This time tomorrow it will be history

 

[4gin007]

Ok. We agree to avoid the dealer on this issue. Who cares about the time it takes me or it takes anyone else. Follow the instructions that u choose to use and all should be fine. It was fun. Lol

 

[NJshadow93]

It takes Chuck Norris 5 minutes to get both axles done. C'mon guys get with the program.:bravo::boxer::cheers: