CV Joint - Front Outer Left Hand Side Failed

[scottrus9987 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close scottrus9987]

Hi all.
Yesterday I went for a short drive along the beach near Two Rocks, Perth WA. The sand was the softest I have ever driven in and as a result I had to let my BF's down to 12 PSI to stay moving and on top of the sand. About 10 mins of driving, I did a u-turn on the beach, (20 meter arc) to head home and started to get bogged. After digging some departure ramps around the tires and clearing some sand from the front of the car, I went to take off and as I started crawling forward in 2nd gear low range, in almighty bang and jolt occurred. I stopped and jumped out wondering what had just happened. My light force driving light covers and head lamp covers were all two meters in front of the car as a result from the jolt. Looking under the car, there was a whole load of ball bearings and metal fragments and dripping grease from the LHS outer CV joint. The boot was disintegrated.

Hours later, luckily some guys, dare I say in a Nissan Patrol came to the rescue and assisted in towing my now rear wheel drive Prado off the beach. I managed to limp on home, not exceeding 20kmh... Took a while lol...
It appears as I started to berry myself into the sand, the front tire was spinning and the suspension was at full hang (nearly free spinning). As i gave some boot to the engine, I was also turning the wheel slightly and I think the tire binded up into the sand and bang, sheared the CV joint. I was in disbelief; I never thought in sand of all places would a perfectly good condition CV joint bust up. The boot was in great condition, no leaks or cracks, no clicking noises at full lock and I have standard suspension.

So does anyone in Perth recommend a CV joint repair place? How much do you expect for a CV replacement and are there any other considerations I should be aware of when I get it repaired. (ie replace the other side at the same time etc). Lastly, I plan to keep my truck for a few more years, should I go with a genuine Toyota parts or are there reasonable aftermarket CVs outs there.

Appreciate anyone’s comments and help.
Scott

[GH4wd Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close GH4wd]

Re: CV Joint - Front Outer Left Hand Side Failed

That's bad luck Scott. I have an aftermarket reconditioned CV shaft in my vehicle as at the time I only needed CV boots & it was cheaper to fit a complete recon. unit than just genuine boots only. However, the problem I had was that the aftermarket boots fitted to the recon. shaft were rubbish & failed in a short time. It seems that around the same time this happened that Toyota dropped the price on the boot kit considerably, hence I had my mechanic fit genuine boots to the recon. shaft.

So far so good :!:

Check the saga here: viewtopic.php?f=21&t=5048&st=0&sk=t&sd=a

I don't know if Toyota have exchange shafts though, I would doubt it, but may be best to check with your mechanic or local CV specialist, & I would definitely recommend using genuine CV boots :!: :!:

Cheers,

Glenn

[scottrus9987 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close scottrus9987]

Re: CV Joint - Front Outer Left Hand Side Failed

Thanks for the info Glenn, after reading about the boot dramas you had, I am convinced to go with genuine boots. My truck is an 01 model, done 265 thousand and the remaining boots are still in good condition... Quality is the key!
Now to find a replacement staft.... to be continued.
Scott

[fishfinder Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close fishfinder]

Re: CV Joint - Front Outer Left Hand Side Failed

Allen's CV I think there in Osborne Park do good exchange complete shaft ass . I am not sure if they deal direct to public If you PM me your location I could put you on to someone close by .

[scottrus9987 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close scottrus9987]

Re: CV Joint - Front Outer Left Hand Side Failed

Fishfinder,

Thanks for your help. I rang Allen's CV and they said they could replace it at the standard price, assuming you could get the car down to Osborne park (which im not keen driving through the city with a crunching front cv). I also rang Outer Control CV joints and they were of absolute huge help, taking the time to explain the setup and what possibly needs to be replaced. Further more, they have a call out mobile workshop van that comes to you.

So this morning, he arrived and I helped him pull the outer hub off, it was completely stuffed. We had a look at the inner joint, and it had groove marks in it where it has started to ware through old age.
I replace both joints, the shaft and both boots. (So brand new front left drive shaft and cv joints) for $420. Plus the $130 call out fee... Expensive, but atleast I have brand new drive terrain on the front left side.

Now for the ARB rear diff locker........

Thanks for everyones help. Please ask if anyone has any questions

Scott

[fishfinder Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close fishfinder]

Re: CV Joint - Front Outer Left Hand Side Failed

I think that is a reasonable price considering what would it cost to tow a vehicle to a workshop to have it replaced ? Good to hear a Prado was not off the road for to long

[croozza Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close croozza]

Re: CV Joint - Front Outer Left Hand Side Failed

I had my cv replaced (inner and outer with shaft) by Australian CV's at Slacks Creek in Qld, and only cost me $298 fitted.

Mine only broke because of wear and at the time it was on full lock and the suspension was fully compressed with the front locker on. :mrgreen: