Clickety-Clack CV Axles

[grasscutter]

Right front CV axle is making the telltale clickety-clack noise when turning left, but sometimes makes the noise when turning a sharp right.

How long do I have before the axle self destructs?

Does A1-CARDONE still make a decent CV axle?

If I order one today, I'll probably have it by the weekend.

The boot has been torn a long time. The axle probably lost a lot of grease.

 

[D60]

Expect six to eighteen months from anything with a neoprene boot, esp the outer boot

 

[slacktide_bitog]

What kind of car is it?

If you're lucky, there will be an aftermarket axle that has thermoplastic boots. GSP Xtreme Duty XD axle uses thermoplastic boots.

For some cars, mostly Subarus and trucks, Trakmotive makes extended travel axles. These also have thermoplastic boots. but the inner join is a different design than OE. Instead of the normal tripod joint, the extended axles have a 6-ball joint, like the outer joint. The telescopic in-and-out motion is transferred from the inner joint to the center shaft

Cardone HD, if available for your car, has a thermoplastic outer boot but a neoprene inner boot. This isn't a problem as long as you don't have a Subaru. GSP Performance Revolution axles also use TPE outer, neoprene inner boots.

 

[zzyzzx]

How long do I have before the axle self destructs?

Potentially quite some time, as in years. Your mail ordered axle should get to you in time.

 

[Capt W]

I've used remanufactured Cardone halfshafts for 30 years with no problems whatsoever. Since I retired a few years ago I've started rebuilding/re-booting them myself, though. Not difficult at all...just a bit messy. Two boots and some grease runs under 25 bucks. I find this preferable to installing a low-cost "new" shaft that's straight from China.

 

[D1dad]

I used new axles from Napa in a pinch around 40k ago on my 09 Altima that I gave to my daughter for work. This was after a Cardone started vibrating. What kind of boots they have….no clue. All I know is she drives 110 miles round trip a day, with a decent bit being in inner city Toledo. If anyone knows anything of Toledo streets, there’s pot holes big enough to hide in.

 

[Andyd95]

Aftermarket axle kinda suck, I’ve even seen a few GKN’s not make it to the year mark lately too.

 

[The Critic]

Aftermarket axle kinda suck, I’ve even seen a few GKN’s not make it to the year mark lately too.

To this day, I do not understand how franchised tire shops and independent repair facilities get away with installing these junky things.

 

[D60]

To this day, I do not understand how franchised tire shops and independent repair facilities get away with installing these junky things.

Me too. I still think 99% of indys just get the run-of-the-mill, least expensive (because this is usually all that's in stock) half shafts, slap 'em in, and -- I guess -- hope the vehicle is soon totalled in an accident or the customer moves far away.

I triaged an '08 FJ Cruiser yesterday with split boots on both sides -- it's got a mild OME lift so this doesn't help. OEM was out of the question $$$ but I told the customer I have to order parts as anything I can get locally is unacceptable. Going to try the XTT from Trakmotive -- allegedly TPE on both boots and intended for greater angularity is a bonus @slacktide_bitog

If anyone won't wait for parts I now tell them I'll install whatever O'Reilly has on the shelf but I absolutely won't guarantee it past six months. After that full parts and labor cost all over again.

This to me seems like one of the biggest obstacles in vehicle repair and no one is really talking about it that much. I don't understand why it's not a bigger deal. I think customers often think I'm paranoid or making up stories but I've seen at least four neoprene boots fail in five to twelve months. Maybe our arid climate exacerbates the issue???

 

[The Critic]

I triaged an '08 FJ Cruiser yesterday with split boots on both sides -- it's got a mild OME lift so this doesn't help.

https://www.cvjreman.com/product-tag/9808/

 

[D1dad]

To this day, I do not understand how franchised tire shops and independent repair facilities get away with installing these junky things.

Most people aren’t willing to pay $700 for an Oem, myself included, unless it was one of my cars that is just out of warranty. What do you recommend as far as aftermarket, when Oem isn’t affordable for a lot of folks?