Need advice for axle replacement

[akofna]

Just bought a new GX470 and it needs a little work. I don't have much experience with cars, but am pretty handy and am confident I can follow the youtube videos. That said, I have had trouble figuring a few things out.

One of the cv axles has a pretty cracked boot. I want to replace the axle. The axles on rockauto are much cheaper than the toyota axles on toyotapartsdeal for example. How much more value do I get out of getting a toyota axle? Are there certain aftermarket axle brands that are better? Will it strain the diff over time if the axles on either side are different types and possibly behave differently? The video I found explains that you may have to replace the diff seal if you mess it up when you take the old axle out. I cannot find the part number for this. I tried searching, but I think they call it something other than differential seal and found a ton of other seals. Do you need a special tool to replace the seal or can you just push it in with the axle when you push the axle in?

This isn't quite as important, but I found a video showing how I can replace the motor within the door lock actuator for much cheaper than buying a whole new actuator. I need to do this for my passenger side mirror adjustment actuator. Does anyone know what type of motor it uses? I just bought the vehicle out of state so I am trying to order all the parts and do the work when I get there.

 

[trexoffroad]

No idea on the mirror question.
As for the axles, you can ask 10 people and get 10 different opinions on Toyota versus aftermarket axles. If money is no object, get the Toyota version. If you want to save money, pick an aftermarket version. I’ve had plenty of friends use the aftermarket axles without any issues at all.
For the seal, no you can not push it in using the axle. It takes some finesse to install it without damaging it. getting old one out is easy. Just use a long screwdriver or a tool made for removing seals. Installing is a little more difficult.
I‘d suggest watching as many videos on the task as you can find. It’s not a small job.

 

[SBANGLICO]

Just replaced my DS CV. Got the axle from Rock Auto - Cardone HD reman, Timken seal for the knuckle and the Toyota diff seal.

PITA job to do but not complicated.

Use a 2" PVC cap as a diff seal driver (make sure to clean corrosion after removal and before install otherwise you'll damage the new seal going in). Used a piece of 2x6 and clamps to get the knuckle seal in.

Used a big brass drift and a 4lb sledge to drive in the new CV from the flats, biggest pain, even greased with the clip opening down. Most mechanics will just beat on the axle end, which is not good for the CV. Kept tapping at it with the sledge/drift and finally it slipped in.

Only removed the brake caliper and then dropped the LCA. Bungeed everything out of the way.

 

[akofna]

I found the part numbers I needed for the axle. Thank yall for your help. I think I have everything figured out and ordered. Super excited to learn how to do all this! I do have one possibly stupid question though. What type of grease do I buy for the axle? In the videos they recommend I put a bunch to keep the clip center on the axle and not sagging.

 

[GXDude]

CVJREMAN.COM

OEM remans at a very reasonable price.
They also sell steering racks for our gx's.