This is an open question to the 100 series family. I expect there are a lot of opinions out there on CV axles sources. Some only will run OEM and some allow aftermarket suppliers. I would like to gather some input on which to avoid and stir the pot on why OEM is the only way to go. I have a 2005 Land Cruiser with 240+K miles. I bought the vehicle in Aug 2018 at around 176K so have 64K miles that I have put on it.
1. Passenger Side #1 - May 2020 at 207K miles - When the passenger side CV axle boot blew up, I was new & I took it to a regular shop and they put an aftermarket brand GSP PN NCV69571 (5/9/2020 @ 207K charged $170 but can be bought on Amazon for $95 today). They could not tell me what their warranty would be. Not going back there again.
2. Driver Side #1 - July 2020 at 210K miles - I later bought an OEM CV axle from Lagrange Toyota Online which my son installed in July 2021 on the front Driver Side before a long trip to match the other CV axle not knowing how old it was or if the boot would fail. Good Preventive Maintenance.
3. Passenger Side #2 - Jan 2021220K miles - just 7 months after installing the first Passenger Side CV axle, I was having a lot of rattling noise and took it to my local Land Cruiser Specialist. He diagnosed the issues and did three things. Replaced my almost new aftermarket Passenger CV axle with a FEQ TO-8139, installed both front Upper Control Arms with SPC 25455 Upper Control Arms and he replaced all of my Front Diff Bushings (which I think did the most good).
So now here I am at June 2022 at 242K miles after the recent Cruise Moab where I popped my front diff out on the Swell Run and have pulled my Front Diff and sent it off to East Coast Gear Supply to install new Nitro Ring and Pinion and a Harrop Eaton E-Locker. I have about a month on my hands to get ready to reinstall the repaired and upgraded front diff and have the vehicle all cleaned up in my garage on jack stands. What should I do while everything is exposed? The CV axles have over 30K miles and about 24 months of service each and the boots are intact but appear dry. I am thinking I should just for general principle install new CV axles while I am at it and it is easy. So should I order the OEM CV axles PN 43430-60040 (MSRP retail price $652, online Olathe Toyota price $453. Multiple aftermarket CV axles are available on line for $94 each. I could buy 4 for the price of one OEM unit and the two shops I have used put in the lowest priced options and then mark them up double.
1. Passenger Side #1 - May 2020 at 207K miles - When the passenger side CV axle boot blew up, I was new & I took it to a regular shop and they put an aftermarket brand GSP PN NCV69571 (5/9/2020 @ 207K charged $170 but can be bought on Amazon for $95 today). They could not tell me what their warranty would be. Not going back there again.
2. Driver Side #1 - July 2020 at 210K miles - I later bought an OEM CV axle from Lagrange Toyota Online which my son installed in July 2021 on the front Driver Side before a long trip to match the other CV axle not knowing how old it was or if the boot would fail. Good Preventive Maintenance.
3. Passenger Side #2 - Jan 2021220K miles - just 7 months after installing the first Passenger Side CV axle, I was having a lot of rattling noise and took it to my local Land Cruiser Specialist. He diagnosed the issues and did three things. Replaced my almost new aftermarket Passenger CV axle with a FEQ TO-8139, installed both front Upper Control Arms with SPC 25455 Upper Control Arms and he replaced all of my Front Diff Bushings (which I think did the most good).
So now here I am at June 2022 at 242K miles after the recent Cruise Moab where I popped my front diff out on the Swell Run and have pulled my Front Diff and sent it off to East Coast Gear Supply to install new Nitro Ring and Pinion and a Harrop Eaton E-Locker. I have about a month on my hands to get ready to reinstall the repaired and upgraded front diff and have the vehicle all cleaned up in my garage on jack stands. What should I do while everything is exposed? The CV axles have over 30K miles and about 24 months of service each and the boots are intact but appear dry. I am thinking I should just for general principle install new CV axles while I am at it and it is easy. So should I order the OEM CV axles PN 43430-60040 (MSRP retail price $652, online Olathe Toyota price $453. Multiple aftermarket CV axles are available on line for $94 each. I could buy 4 for the price of one OEM unit and the two shops I have used put in the lowest priced options and then mark them up double.
