CV Joint Failure

[Copperhole]

I am now on my third axle/cv joint. Both failures were with the right front cv joint. I have a 2 1/2" lift and replaced both axles with the axle/cv joint appropriate to the lift. My mechanic does not see anything that would cause this problem, but he is not a Toyota mechanic. Could this be a hub issue?

 

[crikeymike]

What actual vehicle do you have?

 

[Copperhole]

What actual vehicle do you have?

Whoops. Looks like I missed an important factor. It's a 2004Toyota Sequoia Limited 4wd

 

[crikeymike]

hmm. Do you have a diff drop kit in place?

It's possible that some aftermarket CV axles don't use the same quality and joint as OEM, and the joints sometimes don't have as much flex/travel as stock. I'd set up the front end to simulate ride height and then rotate the wheels and feel the axles to see if there's any binding happening. That definitely should not be happening at ride height.

What lift is on the rig?

 

[Copperhole]

hmm. Do you have a diff drop kit in place?

It's possible that some aftermarket CV axles don't use the same quality and joint as OEM, and the joints sometimes don't have as much flex/travel as stock. I'd set up the front end to simulate ride height and then rotate the wheels and feel the axles to see if there's any binding happening. That definitely should not be happening at ride height.

What lift is on the rig?

It's 2 1/2". I am not familiar with the diff drop kit. Is that just to better align the axle and cv to the hub?

 

[crikeymike]

I mean what brand of suspension lift do you have?

A differential drop kit (or "diff drop") is a set of spacers and brackets used on 4x4 vehicles with Independent Front Suspension (IFS). When you lift a vehicle's suspension, the constant velocity (CV) axles are pushed into steep downward angles. A diff drop kit lowers the front differential housing slightly to correct these extreme angles

 

[vtl]

Does gen1 have a tripod inner joint? Tripods don't like angles at all. Definitely do a diff drop for tripods and any amount of lift.

 

[kbahus]

Also, most aftermarket cv axles are complete garbage. Is a genuine Toyota unit available? It will be worth the investment.

 

[efjayatee]

I have 06 sequioa with 3" dobinson lft kit with diff drop. I gently wheel it and have only damaged the SPC UCA twice (denied warranty). Still on stock axles on 285s.
Switched to freedom UCA and has been fine.