Is it worth it?

Hi all!

I recently discovered that both my front axles have leaky boots and the grease is making quite the mess.

I got quoted $918 to replace both axles and I just wanted to see what people thought about rebooting both axles myself.

The axles are original from 2006, is it better to just get brand new ones or reboot them and use the old ones?

Any opinions appreciated!
Thanks!

 

For peace of mind, I'd probably just replace them given they're the OGs from 2006. There could be damage to the CVs given the boots were open to dirt & other elements and/or ran low on grease and wore out even more.

If you check out some YouTube videos, have some common tools, and good workspace, you could replace them yourself at home, but fully recognize that sometimes it's just easier to take it somewhere. I would definitely recommend replaces w/ OEM axles. You never know what you're getting w/ aftermarket parts.

 

I usually do my own repairs at home but lately I've been feeling quite lazy about it. I might just bite the bullet...
And absolutely, I only want OEM for repair on most systems!
thank you!

 

If they're just leaking and not clicking you can reboot them yourself with OEM boots for about $60 and <2 hours of your time (unless the price of boots went way up since I last checked).

 

I’d go OE reman assembly before paying $900.
https://parts.toyotaoffortworth.com...aft-Assembly-Front/98467708/434300407084.html

Or buy new and save $250
https://www.toyotapartsdeal.com/oem/toyota~shaft~assy~front~drive~lh~43430-04070.html

 

they are not clicking yet, and usually my two hour jobs turn out to be a whole day ordeal...

and reman sounds good! Althought it seems quite cheap to be both axles!

 

That’s the price for one axle.
I’d call before you order.
It’s 50/50 whether they are actually in stock.

They sell out quick. Copy the part # and check around.

 

I called and the part is discontinued.
I might just reboot them myself, it seems pretty straightforward... but then again when do I ever have the time lol

 

Definitely can happen like that. Depends on your luck and the steps taken to repair. I can usually reboot an axle while it's still on a vehicle without pulling it from the trans. Usually needs lock ring pliers but after that it's pretty easy. Haven't done them on a 2g but it looks like there's a decent amount of room to do it without removing on my 3g and I know they're similar. I'm pretty sure they're the same axles too.

 

They are the same axles for both the 2nd and 3rd Gen trucks.

 

I rebooted my stock ones that were leaking couple of years ago... never tried anything like that b4 but fairly handy... first side was 3 hours second half that much. I carefully pried mine out of diff with crow bar, careful to only to only pry back out towards the wheel, otherwise you can mess up the diff seal... and pry and rotate, pry and rotate. then put the new boot kit on and greased, and clamped... which a couple of the clamps didn't stay and ended up using some nice radiator clamps, tightening till i was afraid they'd break, and no problems since. there's a nice step by step here on TW and watch a couple ytube's when i put back in the diffs, line up the splines like they tell you and kind held with my hands and a knee and hammered from the end and they popped back in. I'd do it again, good luck.

 

Check cvj axles they have reman factory axles.

 

How many miles and do you know how long the boots have been leaking? If you think it has been a few months, then I would lean towards replacement rather than just re-boot. The joints will have to cleaned and re-packed at a minimum as there is probably contamination in there now. How big is the mess? If none of it looks fresh, there's probably not a lot of grease left in the boots/joints. The bigger the mess under there from grease flying everywhere, the longer the time is since it started. I'm asking because of the old: "age vs mileage" consideration. Eighteen years is a long working time regardless of mileage.

 

I noticed on the passenger side a couple months ago but it was a small leak. The one on the driver side I discovered soonish

 

What part of CA are you at? We have a trusty mechanic down here in San Diego area who is a TW member and Toyota trained. I had excessive play on driver side. I provided the parts and he replaced the needle bearing and CV shaft. I went with Cardone heavy duty. It has less than 10K but I’ve off-roaded and it is holding up well thus far. Like you, I could have done it, but felt lazy also, having to get the right tool for the needle bearing and fighting the CV to come out.

 

I’m in Santa Barbara, but I have friends down in SD, so it’s not out of the realm of possibilities for me to get it done down there

 

A properly designed CV axle can last a million miles when rebooted every ~100k which is standard maintenance.

There is no "could be damaged". It is pass or fail.
It is either worn out, damaged, and clicking, or it is not.

OP has stated some grease leaked out. He did not take them apart, dunk them into a barrel of sand and shattered glass, throw them at a wall, and then put it in the truck.

It is not hard to reboot an axle. It's significantly cheaper, and routine maintenance. If you were performing maintenance, you'd be rebooting them regardless of whether or not there's a crack or leak. The boots are rubber. They have a service life.

While you are in there, you can put red longer CVJ boots to handle mods like articulation from lift.

 

lol

 

The OP of this linked thread is the mechanic. He has a link to his web page in post#1, but you can PM him. Really nice guy, and good mechanic. His shop is in Vista. @Speed Freek
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/san-diego-bs-thread.124945/

 

I’m in port Hueneme. Remans are good, boot kit is good and really messy job but it’s worth it. About 2.5 hours per side. Cheers!