Thoughts on rebuilding CV axles?

[MrEMan]

The inner boots on both CV axles on my 06 have torn and I'm planning to replace both ... with either CVJ or NAPA, haven't made a final decision on that. But my question has more to do with the cores and whether or not to return them or rebuild them. The factors I'm trying to consider include the following:
1) I'm running a mild spacer lift (2.5"front/1.5"rear) right now with no hardcore wheeling, but I'm planning to eventually go to coilovers. But at least right now the angles aren't severe.
2) These are the original OEM CV axles with 230K miles on them.
3) By the time I pay to ship back to CVJ, I'll only clear $140 or so.

It would be nice to have a spare set. As I see it, it would cost me a total of $296 (or $148 each) including shipping costs if I return the cores ... or $437 including shipping if I keep the cores (plus the cost of rebuilding them) which gives me a total of 4 CV axles at $109 each. But is it worth rebuilding cores that already have many miles on them?

 

[zidaro]

one spare is great to have. 2 is overkill to carry on a trail with you.

 

[MrEMan]

Agreed, and I wouldn't carry both on the trail ... I guess what I'm after is whether or not it makes sense to rebuild such high mileage axles?


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[HiVel-JR]

Holy cow... i was seriously about to post this same thing...

Here is what happen to me. Noticed a bunch of grease around my wheel Tuesday and started investigating. Yup found it when i pulled on the cv boot.

I have to do my wheel bearings as well, so this should be fun. Having my whole front end all over the garage all weekend.

 

[HiVel-JR]

Agreed, and I wouldn't carry both on the trail ... I guess what I'm after is whether or not it makes sense to rebuild such high mileage axles?

I think what i am going to do is get all new parts. No rebuilds. That could be asking for trouble with a rebuild, but i am not expert. Others can weigh in on that.

 

[Drunner97]

CVJ core charge is 95 bucks. I paid 250 for 1 axle with an inner off road boot, 25 of that was shipping to. I have a hookup for shipping, so sending the core back shouldn't cost me as much as it cost coming. Although I'm debating keeping it, sucking up the core, and rebuilding it with off road boots so I can swap out the driver side. Just not sure I want to get that greasy.

 

[joshik]

why not get the CVJ remans

return the cores so you get your $190 back

buy one new NAPA for like $90 and keep that for a trail spare? That would save you some money

 

[bob3dsf]

Mr EMan, how many miles are on your axles? Call your dealer and find out the cost of OEM re-manufactured. It wasn't too much more than using CVJ or NAPA for me. I think they were about 150 each.

I think my drivers CV boot tore around 70 or 80K. I replaced both together, and I only drove on my torn boot for a few days before getting the parts from toyota (OEM reman'd) so I'm very confident that I didn't get any grit inside the joint. If you caught the boot tear early I really don't think you're risking much at all with a rebuild to have spares. I don't believe the mileage will affect much. I think if a visual inspection of the spider bearings and bearing surface in the housing doesn't show any surface wear I'd bet you'll be totally fine. Maybe someone like Blackworks has access to information on tolerances of those parts (similar to thickness tolerances of a brake rotor).

I plan on re-booting mine to have as spares also. I can take one on the trail if I want, but also when I get another torn boot I'll have everything on hand to replace again with minimal down time. I already have some spare oil seals. I think I'm even going to get a CV band tool and use the right kind of CV band (vs. using a hose clamp) on my re-boot job.

 

[bob3dsf]

why not get the CVJ remans

return the cores so you get your $190 back

buy one new NAPA for like $90 and keep that for a trail spare? That would save you some money

But with a re-boot, he could have OEM for spares when needed. Was it Having Fun that said he replaces his NAPA axles every 2 years? He even joked that the "life time guarantee" means you'd be replacing them for the rest of your life. Sounds like the adage of "you get what you pay for" rings as true as ever.

 

[bob3dsf]

I think what i am going to do is get all new parts. No rebuilds. That could be asking for trouble with a rebuild, but i am not expert. Others can weigh in on that.

Did you offroad the crap out of them with torn boots? If not, and got them replaced quickly, I don't see you asking for any trouble at all. Clean the parts, new grease, new boots... done, good as new. Tons of grit wearing down the bearings and surfaces inside, then yea, might want to go with new ones.... IMO

 

[SteelStacks]

I have to replace both my inner cv boots also. Was also debating of just getting remanufactured OEM ones from Toyota.


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[Billynath1988]

I rebuilt and rebooted booth of my stock ones. From what Ive read and have been told, stock cvs are worlds better and more reliable then almost anything aftermarket you can get. If your only on the street then a replacement is no big deal. If your going to wheel your truck id stay stock and carry a spare.

 

[joshik]

But with a re-boot, he could have OEM for spares when needed. Was it Having Fun that said he replaces his NAPA axles every 2 years? He even joked that the "life time guarantee" means you'd be replacing them for the rest of your life. Sounds like the adage of "you get what you pay for" rings as true as ever.

yeh very true. but they are spares. the napa would just be laying around while you are using the OEM CVJ remans. If one breaks, put the napa in till u fix the broken one. Atleast your spare would have a lifetime warranty! LOL

 

[MrEMan]

why not get the CVJ remans

return the cores so you get your $190 back

buy one new NAPA for like $90 and keep that for a trail spare? That would save you some money

I get what you're saying and while I don't want to throw money away it's not the limiting factor for me. But if I do this, I'd be in for $296 for the CVJ remans (after all the shipping is paid) plus say $90 for the NAPA spare. Seems like a reasonable approach, but that totals out to $386 for 3 axles ... where as if I went with CVJ remans and kept (either reboot or rebuild) the cores I'd get a 4th axle for roughly $50 more.

I know there's no right or wrong answer, mainly just trying to hear what others have to say. I appreciate all the input.

 

[MrEMan]

Mr EMan, how many miles are on your axles? Call your dealer and find out the cost of OEM re-manufactured. It wasn't too much more than using CVJ or NAPA for me. I think they were about 150 each.

230K ... I'm assuming $150 for OEM remans was after returning the core?

 

[bob3dsf]

230K ... I'm assuming $150 for OEM remans was after returning the core?

No I would have gotten 50 back on each with the core refund

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[MrEMan]

No I would have gotten 50 back on each with the core refund

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Hmmm ... definitely food for thought. Thanks for the feedback.

 

[duffdog]

I rebuilt and rebooted booth of my stock ones. From what Ive read and have been told, stock cvs are worlds better and more reliable then almost anything aftermarket you can get. If your only on the street then a replacement is no big deal. If your going to wheel your truck id stay stock and carry a spare.

Very true... I broke 10 crappy napa/oreilly/autozone/china cv axles on my 87 4runner when wheeling. I bought 1 used factory CV and haven't had a prob since.

 

[MrEMan]

Very true... I broke 10 crappy napa/oreilly/autozone/china cv axles on my 87 4runner when wheeling. I bought 1 used factory CV and haven't had a prob since.

Just curious ... was the NAPA cv axle you broke a new or reman? At this point I'm leaning heavily toward CVJs but would still like to know if there is a difference between the different NAPA offerings.

 

[bob3dsf]

Hmmm ... definitely food for thought. Thanks for the feedback.

Hey MrEMan, I forgot to mention that the price I paid was after a discount I get. Why do I get it? Not totally sure, but the dealer I like has online parts sales website which quotes better prices that I was hearing at the counter in person. I bought some seals through the website. That must have put me in the system and by usually getting all my parts through them I guess it's a "repeat customer" discount or something. I had also asked if they could discount the price when I picked them up, to which the said no, I was already getting the best price. So anyway, if your dealer had a website, maybe you can get a similar deal, or just ask them whenever you decide to get them (if you go with the dealer)..... FYI.

BTW, where was that pic taken in your avatar?? Mt. climbing?? I know it's not in GA...