CV Axle options

The right, inner CV boot on my 95 Tacoma is busted. It appears there are a couple popular options to remedy this issue:

-Remove CV axle, replace boot ($50 and lots of labor)
-Replace CV axle with ToughOne brand from Advance Auto ($75)
-Replace CV axle with OEM from Toyota ($400)

I'm leaning towards replacing the CV axle with the ToughOne brand from Advance Auto. Do any of you guys have experience with this axle?

Your thoughts on the options?

 

First off, if you plan on busting any more boots, you might as well become accomodated with changing the boot. It's really not rocket science at all. While you're replacing the boot you can do the boot slide mod which should prevent you from having to go through this again.

If you are dead set on a full on replacement just because the boot is torn, then look on here or any other Tacoma forum for a used OEM one that you can get for around the same price as a reman one. I would highly recommend not going with anything else since OEM is the best option here. People who went with reman stuff sometimes have problems with binding when your suspension flexes, and easier breakage.

 

If you are running a street truck, nothing really wrong with Advanced Auto axles. If you offroad, they dont articluate as far as OEM and are very weak. Not recomended.

Im in the same perdicament (out boot) and I got all the parts I need but time. Im thinking of just removing the axle and giving it to Toyota to replace the boot...

 

TRDparts4u can get OEM reman axles...best option if you cant find good used OEM.

 

CV Boot kits cost $30 through Camelback Toyota. Order 5 of them or throw them in with another order over $150 and you won't have to pay for shipping.

Replacing CV boots takes about 2 hours once you get practiced at it. That includes dropping the CV axle out of the IFS and putting it back in.

One thing is on the OEM axles, there is a hidden snap ring underneath the tripod on the inner assembly. Slide the shaft snap ring down, hammer the tripod down the shaft then the hidden one should show.

 

Question (Toyota quoted $340 ):

I need to replace my outer boot. Do I need to remove the inner boot to remove the outer?

 

Thanks for the input guys. I'm now leaning towards getting a boot from toyota and changing it myself, or bringing the axle to a local shop to do it.

 

Yes, you need to remove the inner to replace the outer.

 

http://www.cvjreman.com/offroad.php

I used these guys. Great product and customer service!

 

What's their pricing like? Turn around time? Do they send you an axle, and you sent them yours back, so there's no down time?

 

I had them in 2 days, shipping was $40 for 2 axles and the axles where OEM remanufactured for $94.00 (if I remember correctly). I "upgraded" to the offroad style boots for less fin rub so I paid about $260 for 2 axles. They have a core charge so it's up to you to send your old ones in, they will only core OEM axles though, so don't bother sending them Chinese shit from AutoZone, etc.

All my numbers are by memory so I could be off a bit. Also my truck is a 2nd Gen, so it my differ a bit there also

 

I'm on the same boat after my first road trip with my OME lift kit. I got home and looked at my fenderwell and saw grease then looked at my cv axle and saw this mess.


http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j427/jibarra111/20140309_130729_zps460430a8.jpg

 

Thanks for the info. It's not that huge of a deal because of my manual hubs, and 99% street time of the truck, but I'll definitely consider them.

 

Little bit off topic, but have you guys had any experience with CVJreman's rebuilt rack and pinions?

 

This looks very interesting...how are yours holding up so far? have you been off road with them since? I'd be interested in having mine rebuilt or swapping them, as my cv joints are poping more than my grandpa's bad knee

 

A shout out to CVJ axels. I bought my axels a while ago (reman OEM's)and they are way out of warranty. I dont have time to get the boot done and the dealer quoted $300+ for boot replacement (with me just bringing in the axel).

I called CVJ and let them know I was out of warranty and what it costs toreplace the outer boot if I sent it in. She said dont worry about it, send theaxel and they are going to do the boot slide mod as well. Just paying shipping. Can’t recommend these enough for thoselooking for new CV axels.

Now I just need to find time to remove the axel…

 

Question...my inner boots have been torn for a few months now, just havent had time to bust into it but plan on doing it within the next week or so. Are the axles still good even though they've been spinning with little grease on them? I know i wont really know until i get into them and clean them up but I was planning on just getting entirely new OEM axles and just replacing the whole setup, but lots of $$$..

 

As long as you didnt run them dry they should be ok. Just check the CV bearings when you change the boots (wash the grease off and look for metal on metal rubing/marks, etc...).

 

+1 on that. I've been using CVJ axles in my rig for a while. BTW, I tore a boot and stopped by to buy an OEM quality one. They looked at my axle and only charged me $75 to swap it out with a rebuilt one with the high angle offroad boot. Great folks.

 

That is exactly what mine looks like right now. I need to find some time to make that repair!