Broke my axle or just dislocated something?

Over this weekend I went offroading, nothing too crazy, some rocks and big puddles, but nothing extreme. But when I was driving, I started noticing some sounds and it sounded like my passenger side wheel with skipping and grinding when I was turning the steering wheel to turn left or right. It sounded like my car was stuck in 4 x 4 when I was trying to make sharp turns, but I wasn’t, then I looked underneath and what looks to be my CV axle looked a little deformed compared to the driver side.

I’m new to Tacoma’s and offloading, so if someone can please help me and give me recommendations on this issue I’m having. Do I need to replace the entire CV axle? Or can I just take it off and attempt to snap everything back in?

Also, just a little backstory, my Tacoma is a 2021 TRD off-road with the TRD lift kit (leveling kit +2 front, +1 rear). I am also running factory 16” wheels and tires.
Can this be a reason why the CV axle got damaged?

Video is the off-roading event
https://share.icloud.com/photos/090ur_pFX92PW52KxHYnx9fcQ

Here is the link to the lift kit I purchased
https://www.toyota.com/racing/trd/news/2021/trdusa-feature---tacoma-trd-lift-kit

 

Hmmm the boot is deformed and noise..

Under warranty, maybe have it checked out?

 

ugh, it looks and sounds like it's being pull out of socket, are you sure the front is lifted 2"?

 

I wonder if he hyper extended the drive line while in “nothing too crazy” mode and it’s out and in pain?

 

No, it’s out of warranty. The car has over 60 K miles on it.

 

Honestly, it could have hyperextended when I was driving thru puddles, because I don’t know what was at the bottom and how deep. If I could upload a video I would.

 

I just uploaded some pictures of what the truck looks like. And the suspension I am using.

 

The cv joint is broken, replace the whole cv axle.

 

So you don’t recommend trying to open it up and fix it? Just replace the whole thing?

 

Replace the whole thing yes.

 

Ok. Thanks
Since I am going to be taking it apart, is there anything else I should replace as part of preventive maintenance or anything? Also, do you think it dislocated / popped out because of my lift? Or I just got unlucky and hit a rock or something?

 

This looks like something a Subaru Forester can do with no issues



The CV axle shaft can't pull out within the normal range of suspension travel. I suspect it happened during the lift install. Maybe the installer pulled the spindle too far without undoing the axle nut.

Since you're getting noise and "crow hopping", that means the dislocated CV tripod was crashing into the cup. There is likely too much damage to repair the axle economically. Just replace the axle assy and send the old part back as core.

 

just top off your diff oil and inspect other components. Nothing other really

 

More likely sharp turing in 4wd with to much traction causing it to hop and skip is an easy way to break a cv axle.

 

Honestly, I thought about that as well, I just figured there’s no way Toyota could sell this lift kit and not mention that other parts need to be upgraded as well. So I figured either it was an installation error or just bad luck. thank you for that explanation.

 

I had no idea that is really good to know for the future.

 

Make sure you have a replacement crush washer for the front diff fill plug.

The CV shaft seal on the diff housing can be replaced while the CV axle is out. My OEM seal leaked after less than 3 years. National P/N 710596 available at many parts stores.

 

Wait, isn't that kit not to be installed on DCLB per Toyota?

 

OK that is really useful to know. Thank you. Also, does anyone here know if a 2 inch lift would require me to replace the factory bushing with the ECGS bushing? People say that the factory bushing fails and can cause damage to the transmission if the truck is lifted.

 

They sold it to me, and they knew what kind of car I had, VIN and everything (local dealer I get my car serviced at) and they even quoted me installation price, but it was ridiculous so I took it elsewhere.