Alright, when I had my tire off last time I noticed that the boot was destroyed. No greese left and looks to have been that way for a while.
Now I checked with my parts department at Toyota and it was 350 for one side of the axle. Then I googled it and found a random company that sold a new one for 65 bucks.
Why I'm asking is the huge price difference scared me.
I'm running 35s with 4inch lift and the diffs been gegeared locked and dropped.
I don't go rock crawling so I'm not going to to the solid axle swap (yet). I just want this axle (passengers side) to withstand the winter abuise that I'm going to put it through.
Now is it worth gambling on this cheap one (all bran new parts) for a few years on get the genuine Toyota part for 350.

Thanks,
Alex

 

Don't get the new ones- Chinese junk! I went with reman A1 Cardone and those seem ok so far though it's been too short a time to be definitive. I do have a problem with the fins on the inner boot wearing holes because with the cv angle on my lifted 3rd gen they rub each other and am now researching Porsche inner boots or just stretching them so they don't rub.

 

$60 at Autozone http://www.autozone.com/autozone/par.../N-j0r8iZ6o2dc There's one in Fargo, ND, if you're anywhere near that.

I have not used this rebuilt, but I've had very good luck with other Cardone rebuilts. How long do you want it to last? If it only lasts 5 years, you're still driving a 22 year-old truck.

Incidentally, since you ran all the grease out you don't have the option of just replacing the boots. But for $60, its now almost impossible to justify that option anyway.

 

Check with Gary Smith @ Newnan Toyota in Georgia (search here for his name & newnan you'll find it). They offer SUBSTANTIAL discounts to forum members. I've ordered a TON of parts from them~

 

Scope, I stopped at O' reillys and got a $69 with a $15 core charge and life time warranty. So I'm pretty happy. Goes in next Monday I hope.

 

Yeah the guys at work beat you guys to the point. LOL
They told me i'd be ˟˟˟˟˟ stupied if I bought OEM toyota parts if I was going to do a SAS in a few years so this $60 axle will do just well for the next few years. thanks guys

 

My one piece of advice: Because of the way all the angles go, you CANNOT remove the half-shaft if the wheel is just dangling (like the frame is sitting on jack stands). The suspension must be compressed like it is sitting on the wheel. I use a small jack under the rotor (with the tire off); I lift the rotor until the weight just comes off the jack stand. Then the half-shaft will come out with no swearing.

Others on this site have resorted to disconnecting the ball joints, removing the shocks, and even beating the studs out of the differential flange. You can do any of that if you want, but you don't need to if you just get the angle right.

 

Thanks for the tip scope. A guy at work said something like that but I didn't really understand what he ment. You did a better job explaining it. Most said to take the ball joint out but I like this angle option better.

 

For anyone keeping score...
The axle went in great. Thanks scope cause lifting the hub and changing the angle worked. The pinion went in no truble and got the body lift out but cracked my radiator and forgot the shifter extender an broke the pivot housing. I think that's what it's called. Here's a pic



If anyone knows the real name of that part please tell me.

More pics...




The body lift out and the days work "done"