Rockauto CV axle's? Opinions?

theoutbackdream

theoutbackdream

New member
So after I got under my car today, I noticed that the boots have been ripped and spewing grease around the wheel-well..

Been thinking about what to do.. Either Reboot or get new aftermarket axles. Whats the general consensus on which one to go with? I'm worried that there has debris inside the boot since I did go wheeling not too long ago, and there is rocks/dirt right around the boot tear.

I looked on rockauto for a new CV axle in the case that I skip rebooting and they are limited to 4 manuf. 3 of them are in stock at the moment. Here: https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog...434454,drivetrain,cv+half+shaft+assembly,2288

Does anyone have experience with any of these brands? Are they worth buying?
 
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Cardone is generally what most garages use (they are reman), they are not great quality and you may get a bad one. Sur trac is garbage, you can try to look for FEQ or moog they are much better quality. Cheaper is not always better as you probably don't want to keep replacing them. Just make sure whichever ones you buy have a warranty. I wouldnt waste my time re-booting but to each his own, if you do it though make sure you clean very well and buy (or borrow) the correct tool for clamping the boots on.
 
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Stay away from anything other than CVJ Axles.. They reman old OEM Axles and their quality is closest to new, OEM axles. You send them your old torn axles and they give you about half of what you pay them back.

Like I said, pretty much any other aftermarket CV axle is a waste of time and money. How long they will last is a complete gamble.
 
On my 5-speed accord I use only axles from RAXLES. More expensive but less headache. I have tried store brand remans and they weren't completely balanced correctly. Not sure if this will be the case for the 4Runner....
 
I'm in the same boat as OP. I've heard CVJ are great, but for me having the runner as a daily driver, I can't be without a car for a week or two for the to rebuild and send back. I guess OEM may be the only option to be 100% sure.

jonathansdotson said:
Stay away from anything other than CVJ Axles.. They reman old OEM Axles and their quality is closest to new, OEM axles. You send them your old torn axles and they give you about half of what you pay them back.

Like I said, pretty much any other aftermarket CV axle is a waste of time and money. How long they will last is a complete gamble.
Click to expand...
 
oldmansimek said:
Cardone is generally what most garages use (they are reman), they are not great quality and you may get a bad one. Sur trac is garbage, you can try to look for FEQ or moog they are much better quality. Cheaper is not always better as you probably don't want to keep replacing them. Just make sure whichever ones you buy have a warranty. I wouldnt waste my time re-booting but to each his own, if you do it though make sure you clean very well and buy (or borrow) the correct tool for clamping the boots on.
Click to expand...

Good to know. I'm on the same boat with you. I don't know if I could justify spending the extra time to re-boot the axle, when I could buy a new axle and just swap it in. Similarly the reman quality is up for grabs lol.. And my biggest concern is that i've never rebooted one so I also worry I will mess up.
 
jonathansdotson said:
Stay away from anything other than CVJ Axles.. They reman old OEM Axles and their quality is closest to new, OEM axles. You send them your old torn axles and they give you about half of what you pay them back.

Like I said, pretty much any other aftermarket CV axle is a waste of time and money. How long they will last is a complete gamble.
Click to expand...

I was looking at CVJ but they seem costly.. How much did it run you?
 
BMeister said:
I'm in the same boat as OP. I've heard CVJ are great, but for me having the runner as a daily driver, I can't be without a car for a week or two for the to rebuild and send back. I guess OEM may be the only option to be 100% sure.
Click to expand...

I read into CVJ's last night. It appears they send you the axle first and then you send them back yours once you swap it out.. The thing I don't really understand is their costs.. Seems like one cost after another, not to mention, someone mentioned that not all their axles are toyota oem axles... :wow:
 
oldmansimek said:
Cardone is generally what most garages use (they are reman), they are not great quality and you may get a bad one. Sur trac is garbage, you can try to look for FEQ or moog they are much better quality. Cheaper is not always better as you probably don't want to keep replacing them. Just make sure whichever ones you buy have a warranty. I wouldnt waste my time re-booting but to each his own, if you do it though make sure you clean very well and buy (or borrow) the correct tool for clamping the boots on.
Click to expand...
I recently had both my axles replaced at a shop. I normally like to do my own work but I have done axles before and it was a pain. I'm not sure on the 4runner if you have to remove the balljoints or not but I didn't want to mess with it. They only charged me a little over $500 so I was happy. When I picked it up I said by the way, what brand. Um, sure trac. I thought, oh crap I've never heard of them and I used to work at a parts store. They've been on a few months so I'll see how long they hold up. My point is ask what brand parts you are paying for first.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using Tapatalk
 
theoutbackdream said:
I read into CVJ's last night. It appears they send you the axle first and then you send them back yours once you swap it out.. The thing I don't really understand is their costs.. Seems like one cost after another, not to mention, someone mentioned that not all their axles are toyota oem axles... :wow:
Click to expand...

They send you the axle first, then you send them your old ones after you install them. I wanna say it was around $450 up front. Whatever the cost, you get half of that back once they receive your old ones.

To my understanding they ONLY reman OEM Toyota axles. Quality combined with their awesome customer service, I wouldn't look anywhere else.
 
I'm running a Cardone unit off RockAuto. Been on for about a year. No problems, but I don't "off road". Pavement queen with some unmaintained roads to the cabin a few times a year.

See what your driving needs are, then purchase accordingly.

Told myself I'd reboot my OEM and keep it as a spare but never got around to it. It's still sitting in the rafters.
 
My personal experience. I ran some RockAuto Cardone Selects for years without issues. Wheeled them hard. It wasn't until I lifted the front end up higher that I started to experience a vibration under hard acceleration from the shaft binding on the tulip housing at extreme angles when the front suspension unloads. So my advice; if you're running no to moderate lift like between 2-3 inches, you should be okay. If you're running between 3 and 4 inches of suspension lift and you wheel hard, you'd be better of sticking with OEM. I put my OEM's back in with new clamps because the boots weren't torn, the clamps just came loose after lifting and I'm much happier. If it were me, I'd rebuild the OEM's. I understand the down time issues and all, but I'm speaking from experience. Hope that helps.
 
ray k said:
I recently had both my axles replaced at a shop. I normally like to do my own work but I have done axles before and it was a pain. I'm not sure on the 4runner if you have to remove the balljoints or not but I didn't want to mess with it. They only charged me a little over $500 so I was happy. When I picked it up I said by the way, what brand. Um, sure trac. I thought, oh crap I've never heard of them and I used to work at a parts store. They've been on a few months so I'll see how long they hold up. My point is ask what brand parts you are paying for first.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

I don't plan on bringing my truck to a shop. Going to do all the work myself so theres that.
 
jonathansdotson said:
They send you the axle first, then you send them your old ones after you install them. I wanna say it was around $450 up front. Whatever the cost, you get half of that back once they receive your old ones.

To my understanding they ONLY reman OEM Toyota axles. Quality combined with their awesome customer service, I wouldn't look anywhere else.
Click to expand...

$450?? Might as well just buy some new OEM cv's if the core is $75 as listed on their website..
 
superman3043 said:
My personal experience. I ran some RockAuto Cardone Selects for years without issues. Wheeled them hard. It wasn't until I lifted the front end up higher that I started to experience a vibration under hard acceleration from the shaft binding on the tulip housing at extreme angles when the front suspension unloads. So my advice; if you're running no to moderate lift like between 2-3 inches, you should be okay. If you're running between 3 and 4 inches of suspension lift and you wheel hard, you'd be better of sticking with OEM. I put my OEM's back in with new clamps because the boots weren't torn, the clamps just came loose after lifting and I'm much happier. If it were me, I'd rebuild the OEM's. I understand the down time issues and all, but I'm speaking from experience. Hope that helps.
Click to expand...

Interesting.... I might be fine with the cardones then since I am planning to lift my rig about 3 inches max... That said... How easy is it to reboot the OEM cv's? I've never done rebooting..

I don't mind the down time of rebooting actually. Just more so the thought, "Hey if I can buy a new product, might as well just swap it and be lazy" haha
 
The only CV axles I have ever NOT broken were factory Toyota units. I have busted 12 aftermarket front axles of every type imaginable on my old 87 4runner when wheeling and 2 on the 2005 V8. Now, I won't get anything other than a factory CV axle or carry a spare inside the truck (which I do now).
 
If I am not mistaken, RAXLE Remanufacture OEM axles and usually supply stealerships with axles. Call and talk to Marty @ RAXLE.
 
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