Solved CV Axles

[ThatOneGuy99]

So if anyone else has read my other threads just know that everything is good now, diffs are working perfectly and transfer case never has an issue shifting. So I've read a couple of threads about CV axles, looks like either precision or the trakmotive extended travel ones are what most people go for. I'm pretty sold on the trakmotive as with my torsion twist if I make a right turn at low speed my right axle binds up and shakes, and a sharp enough left turn will bind the left one too. As far as I can tell these are still the factory CVs (most definitely been rebuilt). I really don't want to back off the torsion bars as I don't mind changing our other suspension parts (UBJ, LBJ, TREs, etc) but I do want CV axles that either aren't going to cost a fortune to replace or I have to replace constantly. Anybody have a good recommendation? Keep in mind the trakmotives are about 100-120 a piece on rock auto and the precisions are 95 and 105 at O'Reilly's.

 

[Turdle]

I'm on the fence. On one hand the extended travel is good.

On the other, orielys warranty's the precision's for life. Every time one comes out I swap it for a new one, and, orielys are everwhere

 

[ThatOneGuy99]

I'm on the fence. On one hand the extended travel is good.

On the other, orielys warranty's the precision's for life. Every time one comes out I swap it for a new one, and, orielys are everwhere

Yeah that's the dilemma I'm running into. I'm also not sure if the angle is making them bind or if they're just old and beginning to go, I'll try to post a picture so y'all can guestimate since this is the first torsion lift I've ever done. I hate having to essentially disconnect the knuckle to get the CV axles off to change them but if I'm getting free replacements it might be worth it. I'm just tired of backing out of parking spaces and stuff and having them bind up and people giving me condescending looks

 

[Mbrooks420]

I’d guess they are just worn. If you are binding on reverse at ride height, you’d destroy them while flexing.

 

[ThatOneGuy99]

Yeah they actually ride pretty even, this is the first time I've actually looked at them while they're on the ground.

 

[Fix4Dirt]

the traknotices i hear are really good for your applicatiom but cant best lifetime warranty, unless youre in the middle of nowhere on a trail LOL only downside to the precisions i hear the trakmotive is reslly HD

 

[DemonMudder]

The trakmotive ones are nice, I used 'em when I maxed out the TT on mine, did well! Though yeah, that warranty on those is also nice in comparison to the trakmotive one

 

[CDW6212R]

I have a Precision CV axle on one of my trucks and it's doing fine. I haven't worn out any CV axles of my four 2nd gens, over about 300k miles between them all. Most were stock OEM when I got them, and I've replaced two because I didn't trust the prior owner(front diff was empty, one bad hub and no front driveshaft(AWD locked up later)). So the three I have bought all are still fine, and one torn boot I caught early and R&R'd the boot.

Now I have four new CV axles in boxes, had a Dorman, just got a new Mazda late truck axle(looks smaller in joint sizes than the others), plus two from RA, the Trakmotive axles. I haven't taken them out to compare yet, I needed the right one to check the Mazda axle to be sure that will work in the 2nd gen. If the Mazda axle is just a little smaller by a redesign, I'll put that in my Mountaineer(those two and the hubs/diff, I swapped into my black truck because of the prior owner).

 

[ThatOneGuy99]

So I just looked at the trakmotive warranty, apparently they do have a lifetime warranty on all of their CV axles, while it would be more of a hassle to exchange them should something happen it is nice to know. I think I'm gonna go with the trakmotives since they're around the same price point and the extra travel/articulation would be nice. Should I also replace the circlip inside the intermediate shaft?

 

[DemonMudder]

So I just looked at the trakmotive warranty, apparently they do have a lifetime warranty on all of their CV axles, while it would be more of a hassle to exchange them should something happen it is nice to know. I think I'm gonna go with the trakmotives since they're around the same price point and the extra travel/articulation would be nice. Should I also replace the circlip inside the intermediate shaft?

May not be a necessity, but it certainly doesn't hurt to do that as well. Dang, didn't actually realize that had a lifetime on them, that's handy indeed!

 

[ThatOneGuy99]

May not be a necessity, but it certainly doesn't hurt to do that as well. Dang, didn't actually realize that had a lifetime on them, that's handy indeed!

Yeah but like Turdle said, O'Reilly's are everywhere, with these you'd probably have to remove them and ship them back before they send you the new ones. As much as that'd suck I'd rather not replace them as much.

 

[DemonMudder]

Yeah but like Turdle said, O'Reilly's are everywhere, with these you'd probably have to remove them and ship them back before they send you the new ones. As much as that'd suck I'd rather not replace them as much.

True, and fair, I was planning to just order a second set as a spare in case of that, or keep my oem ones since they weren't bad yet, that way I wasn't worried about it so much. But yeah, I get not wanting to have to wait on shipping and all, up to you man.

 

[Fordtruckfan89]

Trakmotive makes the O'Reilly's ones. Same axle, different box.

 

[DemonMudder]

Trakmotive makes the O'Reilly's ones. Same axle, different box.

Ohhh, that's good to know actually!

 

[Fordtruckfan89]

So far my precision ones are holding up fine, but unless you have the receipt somewhere you can find it, they can't warranty it out like AutoZone can with their database. Idk who makes the AutoZone ones.

 

[DemonMudder]

So far my precision ones are holding up fine, but unless you have the receipt somewhere you can find it, they can't warranty it out like AutoZone can with their database. Idk who makes the AutoZone ones.

No idea, but I usually keep my receipts so that's not an issue on my end

 

[blakshukvw]

Trakmotive makes the O'Reilly's ones. Same axle, different box.

Got any info to back up this claim?

 

[Fordtruckfan89]

Got any info to back up this claim?

Same part numbers, both have the extended long travel ones. Compared pictures too.

 

[ThatOneGuy99]

The left side shaft seal crapped out driving from Colorado to California. Went ahead and ordered new stub seal, bearing, and the trakmotive extended travel axles from rockauto. Here's hoping no permanent damage has been done to the diff.

 

[ThatOneGuy99]

Ok I hate to update such an old thread but I'm at an absolute loss, the snap ring/circlip that came with the driver CV axle doesn't fit inside the diff. I already tossed the old CV axle so I can't pull the clip off that one. Is there a way to just find the clip without going to the scrapyard and pulling one or going to the company?