Does a leveling kit require long travel CV joints?

2 Years ago I put a 2.5" leveling kit on the front and replaced the CV joints with standard ones from Rock Auto. 2 years later the CV joint are knocking and clunking when I turn. Do I need long travel CV joints? Or should I keep using regular joints because the leveling kit is only 2.5"

 

No. You need to replace with OEM Toyota parts. Ver likely, your problems are because non-OEM parts typically suck these days. Should be ok at 2 1/2" but not any higher.

 

This 100%

 

Found the problem ^^

The OEM joints, as every genuine Toyota mechanic on YouTube will tell you, are as bulletproof as they come. Big mistake replacing them with off-brand.

 

Long travel CV shafts won't fit on a 2-3" lifted truck. Most long-travel axles for first gens re-use the CV joint from a stock axle. From what I understand, the parts store non long travel axles that advertise more articulation use smaller, inferior(?) ball bearings on the joint. Some might call it a trade off, but I'll stay with OEM. OEM is the best CV joint available for first gens.

With the first gen, you can find OEM remanufactured axles for $75-$80 plus $75 core charge (refundable) if you find the right dealership. When I break a CV axle or get the types of clicking noises you describe, I just return it to Toyota as a core and replace it with a remanufactured one. Part number 43430-0C010-84. https://toyotaparts.mcgeorgetoyota....anufactured-shaft-assembly-front-434300c01084 If you still have your OEM CVs, turn them in and you get the core charge back. They won't accept your Rockauto axles as a core.

With 2-3" lift though, some people may choose to do CV boot mods and run different boots such as the Porsche 930 boots. CVJ sells axles that have high-angle boots, but otherwise they are just reman'ed Toyota axles. They're pricey compared to how cheap you can get a reman from Toyota for.

 

@des2mtn Hello, that means I can mail my old oem CV axles to McGeorge to get the core charge back? I was thinking I might keep them and attempt replacing the boots to have spares. They are not making any noise, just throwing a little grease.

 

May end up costing you a lot of your core charge, and I think there may be a 30-day window on core returns.

Better option, if you've got the space, may be holding onto them for the next time you need CVs and use the ones you pulled as the core next go-round.

But before you do that, see what your local dealerships are offering for pricing, because mine are close to McGeorge. Click here and scroll down to click the "Go to Dealer Site" button for each dealer in your area (press "BACK" button in your browser after looking at the price, then choose the next Dealer site button in the list): https://autoparts.toyota.com/products/product/reman-shaft-assy-fr-drive-434300c01084