What have you done to your 200 Series this week?

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

codyaustin5 said:
Prinsu installed. Thanks @Yossarian for help!!

View attachment 1491295
Click to expand...

Definitely some good work yesterday, glad to help. The install underscores my earlier comment in another thread that one area for improvement on the Prinsu rack is the attachment to the vehicle. You don't just set it on some spacers, a bit of thought and time required to get the spacing correct. Looking forward to see what mods and accessories you add to the rack.

I installed my old Yakima Rocket Box this morning. I wanted to keep the box centered over the rack, even with the adjustable feet fore and aft on the box, I needed to relocate one of the Prinsu cross bars slightly aft (not a big deal). The feet on the box dropped in between the rails and slid into position, this will make installation and removal as easy as on the stock Yakima round bars (less than few minutes). I'm enjoying more and more the versatility of this rack, if you can think it up, it'll probably work.

WP_20170706_07_28_37_Pro.webp
 
So this happened.
20170704_175506.webp

As a result of this
20170705_233857.webp
the drivers side inner CV ate itself.

20170705_233910.webp
 
The background and story: Full disclaimer, I am running Tundra axles that I purchased used off Ebay. They were described as 2013 model year parts with 30k when truck was wrecked. I have put 35K on them since install. I was towing our boat and had made it about 50 miles when I started feeling a vibration. couldn't tell if it was the road, the trailer, or the truck. Suddenly the vibration got worse and it was definitely the truck. I got of the freeway and to a parking lot as soon as I figured out something was wrong and it was right under my feet.
when we stopped there was smoke (very little puffs) coming out of the CV boot. The boot looked good, except for where it separated from the heat.
I've been working for months rebuilding our pontoon/houseboat (pondominium) and this was our maiden voyage. I ubered to enterprise, rented an econo-box to get the wife, kids, and dogs to Uhaul; where I rented a truck and soldiered on to the lake. We enjoyed the afternoon, evening and next morning before calling for the tow truck.

I tore everything down last night. I had to hammer the joint apart. The inside is coated with burned on grease. The inner part of the joint looks to have a very slight twist to it. The cage and bearings show signs of metal to metal scraping/gouging.

Luckily I hadn't sold my original cruiser axles and tore one down for parts. The pile on the right has 140K on it and still looks pretty good.
I needed everything back together to drive to work, but I plan on tearing down the passenger side this weekend to check it.

I'm hoping some of you guys here with more experience working with CVs will have some ideas as to why it failed.

Thoughts so far:
1) ebay part with more than 30K miles
2) combination of lift and towing less than optimal
3) Tundra conversion pushes CV to the base of the inner cup and there wasn't enough room to move freely
4) crap grease that came with aftermarket boot was insufficient in volume or quality to keep joint alive.
 
ALL the pertinent geometry: I have 1" diff drop. 4" suspension lift. Tundra conversion that extends track width 1 1/2" per side.
35K miles since lift.
It was an aftermarket boot. The original was torn in shipping. I tend to keep an eye on that one as it was thinner material than OEM, so I'm pretty sure it didn't fail and cause the grease to come out and cause the metallic catastrophe.
Also, there wasn't much grease in the wheel well or suspension components. I think it cooked in the boot. There is a solid layer of Coke built up in the cup.

I told the tow truck driver what a rarity it must be to have a cruiser on a flat bed. He said he never towed on before, but has a 97 he'd like to sell......
 
Definitely sounds like a lack of grease. Perhaps the previous owner replaced the boot and as you mentioned didn't load it properly with grease.

EDIT: reading comprehension...

The original boot tore in shipping, I'm guessing you replaced it?
 
Removed my 3rd row! (Just seats tho; the seat belts will be a longer job and it is too dang hot in Hou for that right now). Thanks @FinallyGotOne!

Now I just need a mat! Whatever happened to the potential product mentioned in the '3rd row seats gone, custom carpet otw' thread? Anyone know?

Before:
IMG_9141.webp


After:
IMG_9140.webp
 
@TonyP Im shameless and i asked for the swag and they were kind enough to gift it to me.
I went air locker because i have one in the rear already so front air locker vs e locker wasnt even a consideration.
 
@RS6tofj80 I hope so. Between the gears and the DT headers im hoping to be pleasantly surprised. I remember you mentioning how you noticed a difference after your gears and headers so that kinda helped me make my mind up.
Thanks
 
Willy beamin said:
Game on....thanks to @just differentials
I'm going to drink the kool aid.

View attachment 1493571
Click to expand...

Pushing that thing to the limit! Love it man! I'm starting to regret not getting the front elocker when I had the rear put in last fall. Brian at ACC said "I'll see you soon enough when you decide to put the front in..." and I just laughed. I'm not laughing now.
 
I know i wish i had done all this at the same time too. Balling on a budget lol
 
steenh said:
Pushing that thing to the limit! Love it man! I'm starting to regret not getting the front elocker when I had the rear put in last fall. Brian at ACC said "I'll see you soon enough when you decide to put the front in..." and I just laughed. I'm not laughing now.
Click to expand...
:)
 
Willy beamin said:
I know i wish i had done all this at the same time too. Balling on a budget lol
Click to expand...

I hear ya on the $$ part! The only reason I don't have gears and lockers in already is summed up in two words:

BUHH...JET. :hillbilly:

Looking forward to your report/reaction post-install!
 
Last edited:
DomSmith said:
Willy- Every time I see your rig I get my compulsive I've Got To Buy a Gray 200 syndrome.

I thank you...




The wife does not.
Click to expand...
I agree - I really like that color and @Willy beamin your rig looks fantastic!!
 
DomSmith said:
Willy- Every time I see your rig I get my compulsive I've Got To Buy a Gray 200 syndrome.

I thank you...




The wife does not.
Click to expand...

Agree!

WB's, MSCruiser's and Canyonero's rigs had a lot to do with the direction I took mine.

Still a work in progress (are we ever NOT in progress?? :hillbilly:)
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Back
Top Bottom