2004 LX470. Wrecked Axle. Is it safe to drive? (Pics and Vid attached)

[Chibu]

Posting these is becoming a fun ritual lmao. '04 LX470; took a closer look at the driver side CV axle and I can actually move it with my hand lol. Take a look at the pics and the vid. Is it safe to drive? I showed my dad the extensive damage and we'll try to get a used/refurbished CV axle (and hub flange) from a "trusted" (aka most readily competent) Toyota/Lexus indie workshop next week. But in the interim is it safe to drive on normal roads with normal conditions (no rain, no mud or off-roading/overlanding, no high speeds/high acceleration)? What about the steering rack? Steering works all good except the supply line from the pump to the rack has a cut and is leaking, which we'll also try to fix next week.

 

[ramangain]

Yes, that fromt cv axle is toast. The snap ring is gone, probably along with the snap ring groove, and that boot is beyond repair and looks dry as a bone inside. You'll want a new hub flange too, and might was well get new cone washers while you're at it. Top it off with a snap ring set and shiny new dust cap.

The brake pad alignment pins are cheap.

If you're gonna attempt a general rehab of that rig, might I suggest a consolidated 'build/restore/rehab' thread to keep everything in one place?

 

[Chibu]

I have the snap ring that's meant to be on there, I just didn't show it in the video. Probably won't do a general restore of the entire car soon (parents are flat broke and i'm heading off to college May next year) but i'll definitely get to it some day!

But what I really want to know is how safe is it to drive? What could potentially get wrecked if I kept mildly driving the car?

 

[yngmrostrvile]

Between the CV and the steering rack boot/bellow, Id park it until repaired. Any play in that inner tie rod? What could get wrecked? You, the vehicle, another vehicle, a pedestrian... anything in the path of the beast.
The CV would not leave you stranded there are work arounds.

 

[Chibu]

No play in inner tie rod. Good to know it won't leave me stranded though. Thanks for all the help as usual guys. Guess driving it will only be on a need-to basis from now till it's fixed :/

 

[MongooseGA]

You can pull the CVs and drive the truck RWD. Just lock the center diff if you do.

 

[Chibu]

Yeah, the center diff is currently locked and RWD is the only way it'll go. But i'm toddler-new to this (and my parents are worry warts) so i'm leaving the CV in there until we can procure another one.

 

[JunkCrzr89]

Hahaha romped the hell out of it, eh? As others noted, you need: New CV axle, new hub flange, new circlip, new inner TRE (probably filled with dirt), and new inner TRE boot. I’d say you’ll probably find some other damage in the wheel bearings and/or spindle once you crack er open.

OR, just run it into the ground

 

[Chibu]

Hahaha romped the hell out of it, eh? As others noted, you need: New CV axle, new hub flange, new circlip, new inner TRE (probably filled with dirt), and new inner TRE boot. I’d say you’ll probably find some other damage in the wheel bearings and/or spindle once you crack er open.

OR, just run it into the ground

Yeah, the car has seen its share of massive high speed off-roading lol. But yeah, at this point I might just drive the car to said Indie's shop and show him the damage and this nice list you gave me. Inner TRE might not be changed though, maybe just clean it?? Is that far fetched? And if I could clean it, would a pressure washer or steam cleaner be advised or would that just get water in places it should never be?

 

[JunkCrzr89]

Inner TRE might not be changed though, maybe just clean it?? Is that far fetched?

I’d bet there’s a bunch of dirt inside the joint where you can’t see, which is nearly impossible to clean out.

And if I could clean it, would a pressure washer or steam cleaner be advised or would that just get water in places it should never be?

That will just ruin the joint by destroying what little grease is left.

 

[Chibu]

Okay, thanks! I'll put it on the list of things to buy. A date has been set for this coming Saturday.

 

[Chibu]

Uh-oh. So I went out for a short drive this morning, and there was a grinding sound coming from the front tire (which is where all the CV axle and tie rod wreckage is). It wasn't a constant grinding. It was just a short grind, then it would stop. It happened at random points in the drive. When braking, accelerating, turning, etc. What could this be? Has something even worse destroyed??

 

[JunkCrzr89]

Uh-oh. So I went out for a short drive this morning, and there was a grinding sound coming from the front tire (which is where all the CV axle and tie rod wreckage is). It wasn't a constant grinding. It was just a short grind, then it would stop. It happened at random points in the drive. When braking, accelerating, turning, etc. What could this be? Has something even worse destroyed??

Considering the condition of your outboard CV shaft and hub flange, I’d bet the wheel bearings are about to let loose too.

 

[Chibu]

It's not something I can readily inspect like the hub flange and CV splines is it? (Please let it be)

 

[JunkCrzr89]

It's not something I can readily inspect like the hub flange and CV splines is it? (Please let it be)

Yes. Remove hub flange.

 

[Chibu]

Phew, ok. What would I be looking for to know it's wrecked? I haven't seen a destroyed one before.

 

[JunkCrzr89]

Phew, ok. What would I be looking for to know it's wrecked? I haven't seen a destroyed one before.

Take a pic. We’ll tell you

 

[Chibu]

Okay!

 

[hickuptruck]

If you don't have another vehicle, just disconnect the front axle, grab a big goop of grease to put onto the steering inner tie rod, and you're good to go for a couple months while you make repairs.