How can OEM cv axles be identified?

As the title asks... how can I tell OEM cv axles from other versions? Just got a new truck and am curious if it has original axles. Is it worth the effort to rebuilt OE axles?

 

On 1st gens the OEM CV axles have green shafts for ADD, blue shafts for manual hubs

OEM remans have a gray/black shaft with a Toyota sticker logo on it

 

OEM CV axles are much stronger than most run of the mill aftermarket parts store axles, so yes it is worth it to rebuild them if you can.

Aside from being stronger, OEM axles also use better quality boots that are less likely to tear.

Cheaper aftermarket axles use rubber for the boots which tears easiest...Toyota uses plastic and neoprene on their boots, and some higher end aftermarket boots use silicone. If you have a lift though and the angle causes the boots to rub, they'll tear no matter what they're made out of

 

I have had the boot kits for a few years now only to find out the original axles are long gone.

 

Also, the OEM and aftermarket CVs I've had side by side have different "petal" shapes (???) Where they mate with the differential and hub

I am on a trip but can try and take pics when I am home.

 

How ever they choose to be identified as.

 

I wish my aftermarket axles would identify as OEM and hold up as such

certainly would make the ordeal cheaper

 

You need SAS, obviously.

 

I'm about to post some pictures of the ones that I pulled from that truck. Thanks for the input so far guys....@Wulf @Wyoming09 @eon_blue and even @jbrandt for his politically correct assessment.

 

The usually have a green stripe on them.

 

You can see here mine (OEM) are green. But they identify as a solid axle, so I'm not really sure what to think about that...

 

Got this from www.cvjreman.com. Its for 2nd gens though. They might have 1st gens

http://www.cvjaxles.com/9808oem.php

 

Those grooves are a godsend for tapping the CV into the diff when putting them on, also for tapping them out of the diff.

I had some Duralast aftermarket CVs without those grooves and the housing was smaller, no room at all to put a pry bar on them for leverage. Were a royal pain in the ass to swap

 

Surely these are just parts store replacements, but I honestly wouldn't know the difference without asking.

 

yeah those look like parts store axles to me

 

Most of the identifiers pertain to the inner joint.

All OE inner joints are the three lobe shape with a definitive visible line between the outer round or circular portion and the three scallops.

The Chinese knock offs may be completely circular or the three lobe shape. In the latter, the transition from the "round or circular" portion to the scallop will be somewhat rounded or smooth. Both the joint and the boot have this same smooth/rounded transition, hence OE boot kits will not fit.


Fun facts and logic 101.

All aftermarket new shafts are Chinese knock offs.
Chinese knock offs can not be rebuilt/rebooted.
Therefore, all rebuilt shafts are rebuilt OE cores.

While 4Runner and Taco shafts are interchangeable, at least some Runner shafts are "necked down" between the boots. Vendors have been known to provide the Runner shafts as "fits Tacomas", be careful.

Runner left vs Taco right.



NAPA rebuilds are not rebuilt. They are "inspected" and rebooted.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/best-cv-boots-axles.509098/#post-15979647


OE shaft, inner joint on left. The "line" is sort of visible under the clamp. Also world's first boot slide and BINFORD Grime Guard treatment.

 

Different spline count on the birfield, aftermarket usually have different grooves on the shafts for the ends of the boots.

Would anyone happen to know a part number for the birfield circlip? Currently trying to find some without success.

 

I’ve been curious about this too.

I bought 3 rebuilt ones from a Tacoma enthusiast off Craigslist that rebuilt the himself. He said they were all OEM but only one had the green sticker on it. I got all 3 for $125 so I wasn’t too worried about it.

 

You did the first taco boot slide mod?! What an honor to have you in our forum
I've tried to preach your gospel as much as I can here, share the data and truth and let others make their decisions for themselves
That's interesting about the Chinese knock offs not being rebuildable. And NAPA 'remans' are just reinspected and then sent? Oh boy, don't get me going on Napa parts nowadays, they used to be a better aftermarket parts store. Now they just source their stuff from the same Chinese factories or crap rebuilders as the other stores.
Just recently we've had a couple guys here on the forum that their reman CVJ axles failed. On the subject of remans,
Are the OEM remans through Toyota any better? Do you know who remans them for Toyota?
Again, appreciate the wealth of knowledge and crap you share here. I learn tons

 

Photo of my original 1998 4WD front axle:

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