Help! CV joining with wheel hub broke camping

@theesotericone any theories of what lead to this cv failure? Now I'm curious.

 

Without knowing what the OP was doing when it snapped it's hard to say for sure. That grease does look old and dry so it could just be it's time in use.

 

Why it happened. Well, I am pretty sure my CV Boot was bad. I noticed it was leaking on one of my trips underneath the truck, didn't think too much of it. I also hit a pretty good hole in the gravel road. Thinking it was a combination of these that wore out and broke the cage and freed the assembly.

The previous owner did have recurring CV problems so I will probably go OEM. Does anyone have a good source for oem online?

 

I don't know if Toyota sells OEM remans for 2nd gens like they (used to) for 1st gens...reman units are far less expensive than new. I would try and stick with OEM though. Or CVJ since they also sell rebuilt OEM axles.

If the boot was leaking grease that's what killed it. Once the grease is gone and/or dirt, water and debris gets into joint it's a time bomb

 

That would make sense, and be the best scenario.

The CVJ axles are rebuilt OEM. They are just as good as new OEM and cheaper.

 

I can also attest to the importance of the axle nut on 4wd vehicles...I cross threaded mine once and naively thought it was fine until next time, 500 miles later my wheel bearing failed on my way up to my wedding one weekend lol. About lost my brakes on the highway as a result, luckily the wheel didn't come off. Was able to pull into a shop in time.

That was a very expensive lesson on top of an already very expensive weekend

 

You still alive op?

 

Just got home. 166 miles later I'm still alive. Haven't been under the truck yet to look at it. Gonna order some parts and drive the 4runner in the meantime.

 

Almost didn't attempt it but then @zippsub9 stopped thinking with his beer can...

Jokes though. Thanks everyone for the information and I'll update the thread with any new developments/carnage shots.