Found one set of CV boots torn today, the other's likely following soon with lots of cracks in it, so it looks like I need to change both axles - passenger is the priority.

Few questions:

- What brands or re-manufactured axles are preferred around here? I usually like Cardone stuff, but I'd be interested in opinions

- How do I tell if I have a locking differential?

- What other incidentals will I need i.e. what's gonna break when I do this and what small/other parts should be replaced?

- Any gotchas? Things that always go wrong or break when you do this job? Advice or tips

 

i did a napa replacement axle both side 2 years ago with lifetime warranty. get oem axle seals though, the fit and last alot longer than aftermarket ones do. as far as the boots being torn, i drove my 95 around for 3 years with torn boots before hearing the dreaded clunking noise from the drivers side when the it finally disconnected from the knuckle. don't know how long yours have been torn, but it's not a rush issue until all the grease dries out. if only one wheel turns, ( your right wheel only ) then you have a non-lsd trans and it should be identifiable by telling the parts shop your vin.

 

41 has it about summed up. Get LT warrantied axles from somewhere. I'm running Advanced Auto's w/o any issues. Buy the OEM axle seals for the trans and replace them don't be lazy like I was last time. And be carefully when inserting axles back into the trans so that you don't nick your new seals.

 

If the boot has recently torn, and the other side hasn't let go, then just do a boot kit on both OE axles. It's much cheaper and you get to keep a better axle.

I'm over 200,000 miles on OE axles, rebooted them 2x.

 

I bought these:

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/aaz-66-6147/overview/

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/aaz-66-6150/overview/

LLT warranty.

 

I would just replace the boots on the one that is not broken yet. OEM axle is better quality than replacement.

If the broken one is not clicking yet you could try rebooting it as well.

I put a new boot on my driver side AFTER it already broke, and four years later its still going good as new.

 

Whatever you do, don't get a rebuilt. I bought a rebuilt one locally that didn't have the greatest quality check. Long story, short, it wiggled itself out of the transmission by not locking in place (1st axle change, didn't know any better, but it came out way too easily) and cost me $1000 to get the diff gear rebuilt (chewed the splines up).

If you can wait -> RockAuto 5% Discount: 2069057318506354

Put it in the "how did you hear about us field?"

I'm running a GCK from advance auto at the moment without an issue.. I think as long as you stick with a name brand you'll be good. That was in 2009. I've been ordering from RockAuto for the past 2 years or so with very good experiences.

 

Having gone through various Napa units both new and reman I'd stick with OEM. I ended up buying a used one from a junkyard and re-booting it no vibration and less expensive. Only wished I didn't drive so long on the offending axle to the point where it started clunking :/

 

and if your lowered its going to put more stress on the axles, suspension etc. as well. i put napa axles in 3 years ago and still good to go.

 

No lowering here, and low stress, no street abuse.

The outer boot is split all the way around the circumference. The inner boot has a tear an inch and a half long, although I did duct tape that one up to stop the grease spray in the belt area.

Do you think it's OK to reboot them as long as it's not clicking? I was figuring that a lot of dirt was getting in there over the winter before I noticed... and that at $50 for a rebuilt it didn't make much sense to spend all the time doing boots and possibly having it die soon after.

Are the rebuilts known to fail? I'm assuming that everything at RockAuto for $50 is rebuilt. Can't imagine anyone manufacturing new for that price.

 

Check out these guys, it's who I had do my axles and they have been great.

http://www.driveshaftinternational.com/

All their axles are made in the USA, rare these days. They come with all new boots, bands, grease (of course), and carrier bearings.

They will take your OEM axles as a core exchange, but the core cost is not crazy high like some can be.

 

Thanks, I will check them out.