03 3.4 4WD CV AXLES

Alright ladies/gents I need to replace my passenger side axles and the answer maybe obvious but if I'm replacing one should I jus do both??? Also what's everyone's opinion on from the dealer, autozone or orilleys, or any recommendations for after market... pls and thanks

 

This is talked about fairly often.

The long and short of it:
- OEM is stronger and offers better articulation
- aftermarket is less expensive, less articulation, but often have lifetime warrantee

I don't think you have to replace both sides if only one is broken. I think if they go bad it's because it either snapped or the boot tears open and is left exposed to the elements.

 

Thanks, I'm considering both because I have 172,000 miles on it ...

 

How bout your LBJ's? While you're in there replace those too unless they have been within a decent amount of time. You'll thank me later!

 

Cool thanks for the tip I'll get them done too.

 

are the boots torn? Or are you just replacing them because mileage?

 

Go oem on ball joints!

 

BossFoss- left side is leakin from the boot and the right side is leakin from the housing

Toyota4x46921- ok will do oem on the ball joints.

 

You should hang onto those. Don't throw them away. People on here would love to rebuild to have OEM spares FYI.

 

Ok cool I'll do that thanks man

 

I get oem reman's on the cheap cause my buddy is a Toyota tech.

 

Tacofart- do remanufactured hold up good ???

 

Haven't broken one yet but I've ripped boots.

 

Alright might start callin junk yards

 

For CV axles: OEM is generally considered the best. For aftermarket, NAPA has the best quality aftermarket axles. I have had both and both hold up like champs even after beating on them hard. If you search on here, there's a good write up on how to change them, they're fairly easy if you have the right tools.

For LBJs: go OEM. I wouldn't trust anything else.

 

I read to always change your seals when you swap cv’s.

I didn’t when I rebuilt mine, and then my passenger side started leaking.

The seals are finicky though. They need to be seated precisely or they’ll leak...

 

That doesn't make sense. You should only replace a seal if it leaks...

 

If I find some at a good price I will also do so... or see if I can have mine rebuilt

 

Get ahold of @gunny1005 from Camelback Toyota here on TW. Best price for OEM LBJ's. Free shipping and no tax. Plus a discount for TW members.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/camelback-toyota-discount-for-tw-members.207298/

 

Cool I'll check that out!