how do you tell a Toyota front cv axle from aftermarket ?

[ScubaJon]

So I have a used 2000 LC it had 180K on it when I got it so I am sure the CV's have been changed at some point ? any way to tell if they are OEM or aftermarket ?

Is it worth rebuilding aftermarket CV;s or just buy another and order one from toyota to replace the aftermarket one when it dies again ?

thanks

 

[ScubaJon]

I may have found the answer myself

OEM has 6 balls aftermarket have 3 balls ?

 

[wpsfan]

I believe I read on here that none of the aftermarkets hold up to serious off-road abuse. Pretty sure mine has some from Napa and I'll just run them until one fail. I'm not a hardcore rock crawler or anything, more overland stuff, hopefully they'll be fine.

 

[Slickspawn]

Rzeppa vs. Tripod joint. Not all aftermarket have the Tripod, some keep the Rzeppa if it's a 'reman' axle and in good shape.