How big of a problem is this ?

I just happen to look inside my wheel well by the way I was parked. How much to have a shop work on my axles vs. me doing it? I've never done it before but I'm pretty confident with a Chilton's and a few YouTube videos I could get it done. I'm just curious if I chose to do it how difficult is it? Im fairly tech savvy. I work in the engineering dept. on ships and have tackled far more difficult jobs. is it even worth it vs having a local shop doing it? What's the cost on guesstimate?

 

Pretty easy job. Need four new tools to add to your arsenal, two types of cv boot pliers, a 33mm socket and a hefty pair on c-ring pliers. Shop would probably charge you $350-400 for non oem Chinese boots and grease, Dealer would probably charge $800-$900.

 

Sorry, dude's kind of a bro, not sure if that bothers you or not.
https://youtu.be/5bTJRzrv4iA

 

No, not at all. I've seen the video but never actually pressed play

Well, I'll get into during the weekend and it's one more thing I'll know how to do. Thanks man!

 

Thanks man! I'm going to start looking into parts+pricing. Get me some new tools and get busy on Saturday morning! Is it ok to drive to my local Toyota dealership? It doesn't sound any different than it had before I noticed it.

 

Boot kit should be under $20. If you care for your mental wellness youl get some good snapring pliers. Ohh. And lots and lots of rags/towels.

Axle nut is 36mm

Edit: some axles have 35mm nuts and some 36mm. The 36 will work with the 35 just fine.

 

Thank you sir!...My Nana was from around your neck of the woods. "Gillis" I guess I have a big distant cousin type family up there.

 

IF you didn't want to rebuild the CV, you could always replace the whole thing. it'll cost you a bit more, but you'll know it's brand new and you're basically doing that job already by pulling the old one out.

at least you've got plans for the weekend now!

 

that disclaimer is awesome

 

Rebooted oem > aftermarket

 

Replacing the entire cv axle took 45 minutes having never done it before. It's a 20 minute job once you know the drill.

Only thing is make sure you have the right socket for the spindle nut, it's pretty big, not one you're likely to have lying around.

Some people swear by OEM cvs. I prefer to just swap mine for Napa remans, $60. If you wheel it they're gunna break, OEM or otherwise and swapping the whole axle is a hell of a lot easier than replacing boots and/rebuilding the joints.

Id also rather have a common failure point in the easy to replace axle than have that torque back up into my differential and start breaking gears

 

So when y'all are into a cv replacement do you do both or just the one that blew? Also, LC engineering has one that is pricey but I'm guessing has some quality to it ? I'm stuck between getting oem, LC Eng and do I go with one or both. Read good arguments to both.

EDIT: LC engineering has FEQ axles as well as Advanced Auto for 1/2 the price. (No reflection on those guys because they're stuff is legit!)

 

just the one that blew. unless the other side looks like it's about to take a dump too. then you could replace both because you have the tools out and your head is in the right place.

no need to do both just because though.

 

I replace them both, if they're of similar age. If one is going, the other's probably on the way. I'd do the diff seals also. And if not completely draining the 75-90 at least buy a quart to top off the diff.

 

Thanks, I was looking to buy some Redline MT-90 for the Transmission because I heard good things and I still have enough Royal purple 75W90 from the last time I did all my oils.Now is the perfect time!

 

I did get Toyota boot kits but once the axles were out I decided to install New Napa CV axles

So far so good

 

@Wyoming09- how long have you had the Napa's in for? Do they seem decent quality?

 

I know in the Land Cruiser world the Napa CV's don't hold up as well as the OEM ones. On a failed Napa cv, the owner took it apart so we could compare to the OEM and the difference, just to the eye, was substantial. If your joint itself is fine, I'd definitely do the reboot of the OEM CV axle.

 

Now my Truck is a work Truck the only Off road it sees is my drive way and job sites .

Now it is most often loaded with 1000 pounds or more towing a Miller or Lincoln Diesel on a trailer

It was around March of 2014 they were installed.

I would agree if I had the extra Money in the truck budget but a List price of @ $ 480.00 each yes knowing I could do much better at my Dealer.

For my Cost at Napa I can replace them 12 times for the cost of New Toyota ones

Knowing all to well How my luck works rebuilding them it never fails something always seems to cause a time delay so that is why I went new

 

A thread on aftermarket boots that are a really nice piece.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/tacoma-cv-boot-kits.317579/page-7#post-12156046