Another CV Axle Discussion Thread (1 Viewer)

[diego355]

Just installed a new Cardone HD and noticed how the middle shaft is thicker than OEM and the boots also feel better and thicker. No vibrations or difficulty installing it lets see now how it's lasts.
I have always used OEM CV's before but the dealer wants $700 for a new one and $240 for a boot kit... So no, aftermarket Cardone HD for $138 and also ordered a aftermarket boot too keep the old OEM as a spare.
Duck tape and a ziplock bag part of a trail repair so don't judge.

 

[nikoli]

I didn't want to start another-another CV axle thread so I figured I'd use this one, even though my issue seems to be different from the OP's issue.

I just purchased a 2005 LX470 w/ 178k miles. It seems to have slight vibration that becomes noticeable at about 35mph and remains up to 70mph.

At first I thought it may be the knobby All Terrain tires and I just wasn't used to it. But then I swapped the tires out with the Michelin all season tires from my LC100 and the vibration remained.

In checking the service history on Lexus website, it appears the dealership they did some work on the passenger side ...

5/19/2020 (150980 miles)

SERVICE: FT AXLE SHAFT CV BOO
DESCRIPTION: ~|~REPLACE FRONT DRIVE AXLE SHAFT C.V. BOOT ~|~FOUND RIGHT FRONT CV AXLE BOOT LEAKING GREASE ~|~FRONT DRIVE AXLE SHAFT C.V. BOOT, R&R 98/07 ONE

SERVICE: FT SHOCK
DESCRIPTION: ~|~REPLACE FRONT SHOCK ABSORBER ~|~FOUND RIGHT FRONT SHOCK ABSORBER LEAKING ~|~FRONT SHOCK ABSORBER, R&R (ADD ALIGNMENT) 3-99/07 ONE

SERVICE: WHEEL ALIGNMENT
DESCRIPTION: ~|~CUSTOMER REQUEST 4 WHEEL ALIGNMENT ~|~PREVENTATIVE TIRE MAINTENANCE. ~|~ALIGN FOUR WHEELS ALL

Idk whether that means they replaced the axle or just did the boot.

Then the very next visit I see

7/15/2020 (151465 miles)

SERVICE: DRIVE SHAFT BOOT (ONE SIDE)
DESCRIPTION: ~|~ ~|~,CUSTOMER DECLINED SERVICE

And subsequent visits...

12/15/2020 (155189 miles)

SERVICE: WHEEL ALIGNMENT
DESCRIPTION: ~|~CUSTOMER REQUEST 4 WHEEL ALIGNMENT ~|~PREVENTATIVE TIRE MAINTENANCE. ~|~ALIGN FRONT WHEELS ALL

SERVICE: FRONT AXLE
DESCRIPTION: ~|~REPACK FRONT BEARING ~|~FOUND EXCESSIVE PLAY IN FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS ~|~REPACK BOTH FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS

...

SERVICE: DRIVE SHAFT BOOT (ONE SIDE)
DESCRIPTION: ~|~ ~|~,CUSTOMER DECLINED SERVICE

...

SERVICE: TIE ROD END SUBASSY 1-SD
DESCRIPTION: ~|~ ~|~,CUSTOMER DECLINED SERVICE -RECOMMENDED NOT DONE

5/9/2021 (162000 miles)

SERVICE: TIE ROD END - REPLACE
DESCRIPTION: ~|~ ~|~ ~|~

SERVICE: FOUR WHEEL ALIGNMENT
DESCRIPTION: ~|~ ~|~ ~|~162000 300 REPLACE LEFT AND RIGHT SIDESOUTER TIE RODS ENDS

SERVICE: DIAGNOSE CUSTOMER CONCERN
DESCRIPTION: ~|~ ~|~ ~|~162000 100 PERFORM WHEEL ALIGNMENT

8/13/2021 (165703 miles)

SERVICE: DRIVE SHAFT BOOT (ONE SIDE)
DESCRIPTION: ~|~ ~|~,CUSTOMER DECLINED SERVICE

SERVICE: TIE ROD END SUBASSY 1-SD
DESCRIPTION: ~|~ ~|~,CUSTOMER DECLINED SERVICE -RECOMMENDED NOT DONE

When I look under driver's side of the vehicle I see evidence of leaking on the inner boot, none on the outer. I don't hear any clicking when I turn. It does seem like the steering might have a general "loose" feeling compared to my LC100 (which feels tight and direct), but certainly doesn't feel wrong or dangerous.

Based on this history it seems like that boot has been leaking for the last 20k miles or so. If that's the case, do you suppose it's the cause of the vibration I'm feeling and should plan to replace the axle?

 

[nikoli]

I didn't want to start another-another CV axle thread so I figured I'd use this one, even though my issue seems to be different from the OP's issue.

I just purchased a 2005 LX470 w/ 178k miles. It seems to have slight vibration that becomes noticeable at about 35mph and remains up to 70mph.

At first I thought it may be the knobby All Terrain tires and I just wasn't used to it. But then I swapped the tires out with the Michelin all season tires from my LC100 and the vibration remained.

In checking the service history on Lexus website, it appears the dealership they did some work on the passenger side ...

5/19/2020 (150980 miles)


Idk whether that means they replaced the axle or just did the boot.

Then the very next visit I see

7/15/2020 (151465 miles)


And subsequent visits...

12/15/2020 (155189 miles)


5/9/2021 (162000 miles)


8/13/2021 (165703 miles)


When I look under driver's side of the vehicle I see evidence of leaking on the inner boot, none on the outer. I don't hear any clicking when I turn. It does seem like the steering might have a general "loose" feeling compared to my LC100 (which feels tight and direct), but certainly doesn't feel wrong or dangerous.

Based on this history it seems like that boot has been leaking for the last 20k miles or so. If that's the case, do you suppose it's the cause of the vibration I'm feeling and should plan to replace the axle?

Am bumping this since I'm doing budget for the rest of the month and am wondering if people here think I should plan to replace the axle or if there's maybe something else I should account for.

 

[TexLexican]

Am bumping this since I'm doing budget for the rest of the month and am wondering if people here think I should plan to replace the axle or if there's maybe something else I should account for.

How is the flange to cv connection? If there is a lot of movement then replace the CV. By visual inspection you’ll be able to notice the spline’s condition. You can buy either the inner or outer tulip along with a Re-boot job to save $$.

 

[nikoli]

How is the flange to cv connection? If there is a lot of movement then replace the CV. By visual inspection you’ll be able to notice the spline’s condition. You can buy either the inner or outer tulip along with a Re-boot job to save $$.

Well I'm no mechanic so I don't really know exactly how to assess. I went out to take some photos with various angles. AHC is in high position and front end of vehicle is on ramps.

From front of wheel

From behind wheel

From underneath wheel

Not sure this is supposed to look like this lol...

 

[TexLexican]

There’s a lot to look at which requires taking stuff apart. How do you know it’s the CV axle? Maybe it’s the bearing or loose lug nuts. I’m not too mechanically inclined and ended up in a similar situation as yourself which led to me taking out CVs and installing new upper and lower ball joints. These threads will take you down rabbit holes so you gotta put hands on your rig eventually. Good luck.

 

[nikoli]

There’s a lot to look at which requires taking stuff apart. How do you know it’s the CV axle? Maybe it’s the bearing or loose lug nuts. I’m not too mechanically inclined and ended up in a similar situation as yourself which led to me taking out CVs and installing new upper and lower ball joints. These threads will take you down rabbit holes so you gotta put hands on your rig eventually. Good luck.

Tbh I don't know. I'm just making an assumption based on the service records I posted above... which led me to look at the driver's side axle... where I see grease on the inner boot.

8/13/2021 (165703 miles)

SERVICE: DRIVE SHAFT BOOT (ONE SIDE)
DESCRIPTION: ~|~ ~|~,CUSTOMER DECLINED SERVICE

SERVICE: TIE ROD END SUBASSY 1-SD
DESCRIPTION: ~|~ ~|~,CUSTOMER DECLINED SERVICE -RECOMMENDED NOT DONE

Idk what the "TIE ROD END SUBASSY 1-SD" even is lol... but I assume it's possibly a culprit in the vibration I'm feeling when the truck hits ~30-35mph.

Just hoping to gain some insight here before I go to the shop with it, so I have an idea of what to expect.

 

[War Rig]

Any resolution to this? I recently took the rig on its first off road excursion and had more than the usual amount of clunks. Now I get vibration when over 30mph and giving it gas. Doing some quick triage, it looks like I have play in exactly the same spot- inner front driver's side CV. However since your symptoms look similar, if you ended up going a different direction I'd love to know. As it is I'm looking at replacing the CV.

 

[nikoli]

Any resolution to this? I recently took the rig on its first off road excursion and had more than the usual amount of clunks. Now I get vibration when over 30mph and giving it gas. Doing some quick triage, it looks like I have play in exactly the same spot- inner front driver's side CV. However since your symptoms look similar, if you ended up going a different direction I'd love to know. As it is I'm looking at replacing the CV.

I have an appointment at a yota/lexus specialist shop on Tuesday. They said it could be the tie rod end that's mentioned above, but they didn't want to speculate any further until they get it in the shop. I'll report back after they do their inspection.

 

[2020 Rocks]

I didn't want to start another-another CV axle thread so I figured I'd use this one, even though my issue seems to be different from the OP's issue.

I just purchased a 2005 LX470 w/ 178k miles. It seems to have slight vibration that becomes noticeable at about 35mph and remains up to 70mph.

At first I thought it may be the knobby All Terrain tires and I just wasn't used to it. But then I swapped the tires out with the Michelin all season tires from my LC100 and the vibration remained.

In checking the service history on Lexus website, it appears the dealership they did some work on the passenger side ...

5/19/2020 (150980 miles)


Idk whether that means they replaced the axle or just did the boot.

Then the very next visit I see

7/15/2020 (151465 miles)


And subsequent visits...

12/15/2020 (155189 miles)


5/9/2021 (162000 miles)


8/13/2021 (165703 miles)


When I look under driver's side of the vehicle I see evidence of leaking on the inner boot, none on the outer. I don't hear any clicking when I turn. It does seem like the steering might have a general "loose" feeling compared to my LC100 (which feels tight and direct), but certainly doesn't feel wrong or dangerous.

Based on this history it seems like that boot has been leaking for the last 20k miles or so. If that's the case, do you suppose it's the cause of the vibration I'm feeling and should plan to replace the axle?

Unless your cv axle is clicking through turns there are other things you should investigate/inspect. You could have play in the front differential, pointing to worn out diff bushings (there are three), or it could be bad wheel bearing or bearings that need to be repacked with grease. Another culprit could be upper or lower ball joints. There is a FAQ at the top of the hundred series section with links to many of these things that will give all the detail needed. The bushings on the power steering rack could also be worn out as well.

 

[nikoli]

Unless your cv axle is clicking through turns there are other things you should investigate/inspect. You could have play in the front differential, pointing to worn out diff bushings (there are three), or it could be bad wheel bearing or bearings that need to be repacked with grease. Another culprit could be upper or lower ball joints. There is a FAQ at the top of the hundred series section with links to many of these things that will give all the detail needed. The bushings on the power steering rack could also be worn out as well.

The steering rack bushings is what the shop is saying the problem is... and they're recommending a whole new rack for just under $2k. I'm going to ask them about just doing the bushings cuz a new rack at ~180k of pampered miles seems unnecessary.

The axle isn't clunking at all but they're recommending "Remove & Replace Drivers Side CV Axle Assembly" for a little over $400. Isn't that something that could be re-booted? Seriously doubt the axle is bad.

 

[2020 Rocks]

The steering rack bushings is what the shop is saying the problem is... and they're recommending a whole new rack for just under 2k. I'm going to ask them about just doing the bushings cuz a new rack at ~180k of pampered miles seems unnecessary.

The axle isn't clunking at all but they're recommending "Remove & Replace Drivers Side CV Axle Assembly" for a little over $400. Isn't that something that could be re-booted? Seriously doubt the axle is bad.

Most racks go bad around that mileage or not long after. Removing the rack is labor intensive and it’s just sound advice to replace the entire rack, if you’re oaying someone to do the work. Folks have replace the bushings themselves on steering racks, but it’s still labor intensive.

If it’s an original Toyota cv axle then it’s worth rebooting. If it’s aftermarket then not so much.

 

[nikoli]

Most racks go bad around that mileage or not long after. Removing the rack is labor intensive and it’s just sound advice to replace the entire rack, if you’re oaying someone to do the work. Folks have replace the bushings themselves on steering racks, but it’s still labor intensive.

If it’s an original Toyota cv axle then it’s worth rebooting. If it’s aftermarket then not so much.

It's def a Toyota axle. The passenger side was rebooted a while back according to the service history (and look of it). I'll ask the shop about that.

As for the rack... that's surprising to hear they go bad that "soon"... but if I'm being honest I don't have a lot of context to make that judgement.

I have a different shop looking into the procedure to replace bushings without removing the rack. I'll see what kind of price they shoot me for that work. If cost is a wide delta between that and the new rack, I'll probably lean towards new bushings as I simply don't drive much... like 6k-7k a year. So I might have a good long while (in years) before I'd have to pay for parts + labor when the rack actually goes bad.

 

[nikoli]

So the vibration was a worn wheel bearing on the passenger side. Very counter intuitive as the vibration was felt while seated in the driver position. At any rate, got both sides done. Bad vibes are gone.

FWIW, prior to the bearings, I had the steering rack bushings replaced... was about a quarter the cost of getting a new rack... it definitely tightened up the steering feel. Well worth it imo.