Reboot or Replace?

95 xtra cab, v-6, M/T, 4WD, ADD, 235,xxx miles. Cv axle(s) are leaking. NAPA Gold lifetime warranty. I have the original Toyota axles I replaced because of ripped boots. They have 212,xxx and 211,xxx miles on them. They were not left on very long after the boots ripped, less than 1K miles. With that many miles, should I reboot my OEM axles or replace? If replace, my first choice would be OEM reman. If I can't find some, CVJ or NAPA?

 

Rebooting the OEM CVs isn't hard. There are more than a few writeups about it. Check them out, If you think you can tackle it, go for it. In the mean time, just pull those NAPA ones and use the lifetime warranty to get new ones.

 

Definitely reboot the OEM ones. Driving on them with ripped boots wont hurt them as long as they weren't completely dry.

 

So the Napa CV axles only lasted about 25k miles?

 

I went with new Napa CV axles.

I have the original Toyota axles rebooted

I am just waiting for a torn boot to swap them in about 5 years now .

 

Are they leaking because the boot fins are rubbing and tearing? If that's the case it won't matter what you put in, OEM or aftermarket they will continue to tear if they rub. With ADD the CV axles are constantly turning even in 2wd. Are you lifted?

I had a brand new parts store axle leak while on a trip right after install, they weren't rubbing but something in the road came up and knicked it. Just crappy luck

 

I'll add a vote to the rebooting of the OEM axles, with a twist.

Here's a write-up on how to do the reboot - as Mike and Andy have mentioned, it's straight forward and you'll end up with better CVs and boots than aftermarket: How-to: Rebooting a Tacoma CV Axle.

The twist I'll add - if you have Napa lifetime parts that have failed, I suppose you could also trade those in under warranty, and then recoup the cost of the rebuild kits, by selling the new Napa CVs on CL or even TW.

 

x10 on reboot. Look into boot slide mod if you're running harsher than stock angles. If you ever decide to rebuild, I've been very happy with CVJ product and service.

 

Reboot with the bootslide mod and keep them as spares. With the bootslide mod, you'll never rip a boot again. Buy OEM boots and you'll be good to go.

https://youtu.be/vcCT4UgFUTw

 

Anyone just take their truck to Toyota and have them reboot the axle and reinstall? Thinking about doing this and also asking them to install the ECGS bushing. Looking to hear from anyone that has gone this route or attempted to. Would also like to know what they charged.

 

Why would you pay a ridiculous price for Toyota to do something you can do in less than an hour?

 

Lots of reasons. One, I live in a condo so getting the truck and tools set up to do any job is a pain. Two I don't even have all the tools for the job. Three, something almost always goes wrong everytime I work on a car and I'm kind of just over it. I do enjoy the experience and learning but I always have used cars and lately I've had to do too many repairs and I got other shit to do lol. I just finished a repair on an old benz I have and a simple job turned into a nightmare that took me 5x longer than it should have.

 

Thanks for the replies. I am lifted ~2". I do off-road quite a bit. The consensus seems to be that the 200,xxx miles is not an issue?

 

The mileage on the OEM ones? Mileage shouldn't matter on CV axles unless they're showing obvious signs of impending doom. Reboot em and run em. I'll take a used 200k mile OEM cv axle in good condition over a brand new parts store axle any day

 

Another reason to reboot is Toyota factory remanufactured CV axel’s are no longer available. At least that’s the word from all of the dealerships and supplies I’ve talked to in the last 6 weeks. YMMV

 

They told me on the phone the new CV axles are backordered at least a month also. That was 2 days ago.

 

Sucks they don't offer the remans anymore, I got one a couple years ago no problem from my local dealership, but was probably just remaining stock. I should see if they have any left ...

 

I would reboot. I did mine on my 2012. I bought aftermarket longer ones from Allpro I believe. They are thicker and designed for lifted rigs.

 

Hopefully what @PeteSmashh said is true:

Other wise it’s pick and pull or part outs.

 

I was gonna order remans from Toyota over the summer and keep my OEM set and reboot and have an extra set and they told me they was on back order then. Said they couldn’t give me an estimate on when they would be here. Seems they can’t keep ‘em in stock.