CV Axles - Napa new - can't get cotter pin locked

EDIT: Solution below - OEM nut and retainer

2002 Tacoma TRD offroad - Napa New CV shaft PRT#NCV 944013

Yeah, I know CVJ blah blah. This is for my girlfriends brother and he needs to get back on the road.

What do I do here. looks like they used to ship with a spacer, and now neither of the two shafts I have came with one. I can't let this on the road like this.

Here is a thread talking about the spacer:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/front-cv-shaft-nut.539152/





EDIT: SOLUTION: use the stock OEM nut and retainer. (I did not have them because the truck already had aftermarket CV shafts

 

I had that issue recently with a send gen axle. I reused the original castle nut and collar and was able to line up the cotter pin that way. Might work for you as well.

 

Washers?

 

My O'Reilly axles came with said washer.

Guess it's an ABS or non-ABS thing.

 

It already had aftermarket CVs and the axle nut was identical.

 

Cold you possibly go to the dealer and pick up an OEM nut and lock cap.
My dealer had them in stock. You Kent take the nut you have now and stack it up to the new one. Just to be sure before you buy it.

I’m not 100% sure but I believe they are the same for most Tacoma trucks.

 

This happened to me about 3 months ago on my 05. I just ended up using the original castle nut and a new cotter pin and called it a day. The axle was identical just the nut was different. Never figured out why and I still have the nut but I haven’t had any problems yet.

 

Do what you want I would have found something to use as a spacer.

The axle is seated in the differential correct otherwise torquing the nut would just pull the axle out more .

 

I'm going to see if I can source the parts to use the stock setup with the thinner non-castelated nut and the stamped metal lock washer type thing.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/how-to-change-a-cv-axle-on-an-01-04-add-tacoma.21192/

 

buy another axle shaft from NAPA, steal the castlenut, install it backwards and put the cotterpin through it as a lock/jam nut. Return the package and punish Napa for their incompetence.

 

The shafts I removed have identical nuts. I already have a set. This is not my vehicle and I don't want that keeping me up at night.

 

Permanent Locktite (red) and bung a thread in front of the nut with a dull chisel after its tight

 

IMHO....something is missing on the install. Probably a spacer.

Don't steal parts from other assemblies as suggested by members with low values.

Build it right, build it once.

 

for what it is worth, my napa CVs came with the locking outer washer. you may be able to call napa and tell them yours did and they can pull one from another box. I see colorado is in your name so if you are in denver, i can give you one.

 

Nice offers and good advice here. Just my experince here.... use the old washer. Never loosen to make the cotter pin fit, always go tighter in this case. (not wheel bearing preload )

I think it is just a washer missing.

 

- I wont be using red locktite, I want a mechanical piece making sure it does not come off

- I dont have an old washer, as said above the old CVs have the same identical nut, just the cotter pin hole is not as far outboard so it works.

- I have two shafts from Napa and they both have the same issue - buying another to steal the nut from is not going to work. Installing a second nut backwards is not good enough. losing a front tire on the highway could kill you or others.



I did go to the dealer and order two sets of nuts and retainers, I hope those are the same thread and I can get them to work. I also went to NAPA and showed them the issue. They had no resolution but did talk about returning the shafts if I could not get it to work.

 

I'd go to NAPA and ask to see another CV. Measure and see if the one you have is mis drilled

 

I have another one. I did not check to see if it was drilled improperly. I will check that when I get home.

Good thinking.

 

I checked the one I have in my car with the picture I posted above and the holes appear to be in the same spot. Could still be a bad lot, but I am seeing a number of people with the same issue.

 

How quick do you need it back together? I have a spacer washer laying around that i could mail you.