CV Axle Issue

G’day Everyone,

My name is Kobe, and I'm new to this community. I'm having a situation with which I'm hoping for assistance. I have a manual 2006 Toyota Tacoma with a 4.0L V6 engine that I adore. However, I purchased it with a 6 inch Fab Tech lift kit that also included a diff drop, so the angles appear to be acceptable (but I could be wrong here). The problem is that when I (the mechanic) install the CV axles, they are about 1-1.5 inches too short in length, causing the boot to stretch and not sit properly. As a result, the CV axle wears out significantly faster, and I can't use 4x4. The next issue was that I recently bought a new set of CV axles that were designed for a 2" lift kit because this one is 2 inches longer than the stock CV axle and if I were to purchase the CV axle for 3.5"+ this definitely would have been to long to fit as I only need it to be 1-1.5 inches longer. However, I've discovered that this CV axle (the 2" one) is approximately 1 inch too long and will not fit.

This is where I'm at a loss. Because I can't seem to locate a CV axle that's between a standard CV axle and the one, I found with the 2" lift package. I was hoping someone might be able to point out something I'm not aware of? Or am I missing something? Alternatively, a solution to the problem. There is a custom route, but it is an extremely costly and time-consuming process. I'm sure I'm not the only one that has this problem.

Sorry for the long post. However, I have searched everywhere on the web and just can’t seem to find the answer. Instead, I decided to reach out to the experts!!!

PS. I know a 6” lift is big may be too big but I like it and why would they make it, if it’s going to cause these issues right?


Thanks Kobe

 

Hello and Welcome! Has this been happening ever since you got the truck with this lift? those axles do not look oem to me.
The cheapest but not so cheap route i would suggest is getting some oem toyota axles

 

If you’re buying a cheap knockoff I’d get rid of them and stick with OEM. There’s no need for extended length CV axles with standard travel suspension, I see your LCA is OEM so you don’t need any longer axle than stock.

 

I appreciate the replys. But I do believe that they are the stock OEM Toyota axles

 

Well you said you purchased them, so where did you purchase from? Toyota doesn’t offer extended length CV axles so I’m questioning the accuracy of that statement.

 

Oh, right I understand what you are saying. The ones in the photo are the stock ones. I took the extended ones out and am sending them back because they didn't fit. So the ones in the photo are stock and too short. They are just there in the mean time until I can find a solution.


Here is another view to help. Just in case

 

Does anyone know who good 3rd party suppliers of CV joints for a small lift (literally ~0.75 in in front and stock in back, just to level it out a little) for a 2012 Taco 4x4 manual? I bought a single CV for one side about 18 or 24 months ago, and I cannot for the life of my find the invoice or supplier I had used. The other/old CV is starting to go, should have replaced both at the same time...

 

OEM are best and should handle less than an inch of lift just fine. Any aftermarket CV axle you buy at a parts store is going to be subpar compared to OEM or even rebuilt OEM.

CVJ sells rebuilt OEM CVs cheaper than brand new ones

 

Thank you! That is the supplier I had used, I couldn't find it in my email inbox as the actual invoice did not contain any combination of "CV Joint" or "CV Axle". Thank you!

 

I just put a cardon pass cv joint on my truck no issues with that. I'm not afraid to go aftermarket. Toyota dealers aren't close enough to me when I can just go to lordco and I get a good discount.

 

Is this how the axle is installed and do you drive with it like that?

 

I used to have a Fabtech 6" kit on my truck, and I had a similar experience. Mine actually ripped itself apart once while flexing.

I don't have an answer to your question, though. I Pulled the 6" kit off and went back to a 3". I got tired of the issues a drop bracket kit causes