I got new CV axles put on my 2018 Toyota RAV4 about 6 months ago after a very highly rated indie shop in my area noted that one of the boots was cracked, slinging grease, and I also heard a clicking sound while turning.
They used GSP axles.
The first set was a dud. Heavy vibration accelerating from 65 to 85 in a straight line. So pretty much made the car unusable on highways here where everyone wants to go 95 MPH and cops don't care until you're breaking triple digits.
They replaced an axle under warranty for free. Unsure about which side. After replacement seems to be better. HOWEVER, I'm getting a lot of vibration when turning the wheel slightly and accelerating. There's no straight-line vibration during acceleration, for the most part, any more. For example, making a u-turn on a road with speed limit 55 or 65. I have to make the u-turn and start accelerating pretty soon into the turn because drivers here drive fast and are impatient. Heavy vibration when accelerating with the steering wheel off-center!
Other than that the axles seem to be fine. No clicking, and from a perfunctory look, no cracked boots.
I know that aftermarket axles are dogshit.
I know that aftermarket axles often lack the vibration dampers that OEM axles sometimes have.
I just want to know if I'm being too nitpicky here, though. The vibration when accelerating with the steering wheel held at an angle is a little annoying. But I also don't want to be THAT customer. They already replaced the axles once under warranty and I'm guessing they ate the labor on that.
I don't want to bring the car back and cause them trouble if this is just a normal thing for aftermarket axles. They're a highly-rated shop and 100% of my interactions and previous service history with them have been positive. Now, if it's not normal, then I will consider bringing it back!
ALSO: would it be a good idea to jack up the front of the car and wiggle the CV axles myself to check for any unwanted free play? How much free play is normal, and where should the free play be at--transmission side or wheel side?
They used GSP axles.
The first set was a dud. Heavy vibration accelerating from 65 to 85 in a straight line. So pretty much made the car unusable on highways here where everyone wants to go 95 MPH and cops don't care until you're breaking triple digits.
They replaced an axle under warranty for free. Unsure about which side. After replacement seems to be better. HOWEVER, I'm getting a lot of vibration when turning the wheel slightly and accelerating. There's no straight-line vibration during acceleration, for the most part, any more. For example, making a u-turn on a road with speed limit 55 or 65. I have to make the u-turn and start accelerating pretty soon into the turn because drivers here drive fast and are impatient. Heavy vibration when accelerating with the steering wheel off-center!
Other than that the axles seem to be fine. No clicking, and from a perfunctory look, no cracked boots.
I know that aftermarket axles are dogshit.
I know that aftermarket axles often lack the vibration dampers that OEM axles sometimes have.
I just want to know if I'm being too nitpicky here, though. The vibration when accelerating with the steering wheel held at an angle is a little annoying. But I also don't want to be THAT customer. They already replaced the axles once under warranty and I'm guessing they ate the labor on that.
I don't want to bring the car back and cause them trouble if this is just a normal thing for aftermarket axles. They're a highly-rated shop and 100% of my interactions and previous service history with them have been positive. Now, if it's not normal, then I will consider bringing it back!
ALSO: would it be a good idea to jack up the front of the car and wiggle the CV axles myself to check for any unwanted free play? How much free play is normal, and where should the free play be at--transmission side or wheel side?
Last edited:
