CV Axle Replacement Suggestions

Hi, I'm new here and I recently purchased a 2014 Tacoma Sport.

I took it to a Toyota Dealer Shop for a Pre-purchase inspection and they found the CV Axles leaking on both sides need to be re-booted(outside) and quoted me $1000 for labor + $895 x2 for parts. So about $2800, no thanks. See pics below:


The truck still drives fine and no clicking yet, but I want to be proactive and get it fixed.

I want to buy the parts myself and have a local shop install them but I'm not sure if I need a new CV Axle assembly or just boots for both of them. I've heard that you should keep axles if they are OEM and just re-boot them(Not sure if I have OEM). Truck also came with a 2.5in Bilstein Level kit so I'm wondering if it is necessary to upgrade to a extended travel CV Axle from RockAuto, link below.

https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=15778889&cc=3307209&pt=2288&jsn=508

So my main question is:

Should I upgrade to an extended travel CV Axle assembly or just get a new boot for the current Axle.

 

Just reboot
It’s dirty, but easy DIY job

 

Jeez, $1,000 for labor. I wish I was paid to do just that.

If its a pre-purchase inspection, get whoever it is you are buying it from to kock down the price, or have them replace it on their dime.
When I replaced my pass side, I went with the DIY w/friend and the Lorco Option. Cost me $300 Cad and 2 cases of beers.

You have a few options.

For Labor

• DIY, you only need some basic hand tools and a Axle Nut (i dont recall the size)
  It took me and my friend all of 15min to swap out.
• DIY w/Friend, if you have a friend who works on his or her Vic, im sure they can help swap your CV out.
• Pay a local shop which will be a cheaper option. I would provide them the part.
• Pay the scam price of the dealership.

For Parts

• DIY Re-Boot Toyota does sell Re-Boot Kits. (If the internals have zero old grease it may be rusted out)
  You will need to get your hands dirty.
• Napa / Rock Auto / Lordco / etc. for like $50 to $200.
• Toyota OEM ORIGINAL CV axle. Expensive but some may say its worth it. (look out for fakes)

 

Thank you for the quick response. I did knock $500 off the price to do the repair myself.

I'm leaning towards DIY with a reboot kit.

I don't think the whole CV axle needs to be replaced unless the new boot is going to rub and tear again from the lift angle.

 

CVJ axles has reman OEM shafts, also have different boot options.

 

Group buy in the works for RCV axels. I think just needs 2 more people.

 

$2800 is an insane price. If you are able to switch them out yourself, go to this thread and buy two junkyard axles and be done for around $400. Or like others have said reboot yourself for even less money, just your time/labor. Since you have 2.5in lift, if you go the re-boot route you may want to get the longer boots to prolong life. Good luck.

 

Had torn boot. Bought new boot $15. Installed. Drove off.

 

Thank you, where would you suggest getting a longer boot from?

 

I'm sorry, have removed dozens upon dozens of tacoma cv axles. It takes longer than 15 minutes to swap LMAO.

 

https://www.cvjreman.com/product/bootrt08/

 

35 mm to remove axle nut. Tacoma axles are much easier to take out than a solid axle. Spent hours hammering damn hub to get cone washers out today.