Hi!
Was out wheeling today... I noticed my front wheels not spinning... as if I had a 2X4 instead of a 4X4...
Decided to go to the shop... getting off the highway, started ''cloncking'' noise from the front passenger....
So the CV axle got undone (broke) on the boot nearest of the diff...
Do I have to change the hole CV axle or just the boot is ok?
I got a SLR 5'' SL so I think that is just causing extra stress on the cv joints... so is there any aftermarket ''extra resistant'' cv joints ?
Thanks!
Nick

Your CV is done, you need to change the whole thing and yes.

Where can I get them? what brand?

You can get em from rockauto.com, which is actually a sponsor of this site. idk how it works, but you might get a discount.. don't quote me on that tho lol

I get rebuilt ones from a local auto supply for $50 plus a core. Just ask for a front axle for a 2001 Nissan Xterra.

how do you have a SLR 5" lift???? the highest you can go is 3" on the ifs setup...

THe guy that sold it to me said it was 5'' lift... I got the 10 leaf pack with shackles, ucas, bumpstops and cranked the tbars, the diff drop and the reinforced steering system.... When the mechanic mesured, it was like 4.5" difference from when he started the job... I don't know what to say!

You can get em from rockauto.com, which is actually a sponsor of this site. idk how it works, but you might get a discount.. don't quote me on that tho lol

Are they reinforced or are they the same thing as the original part? The mechanic told me I can keep putting stock ones in there every week...THe CV axle is the weakest point on the front drivetrain.... he said to look for a reinforced aftermarket part...
THanks for your help!
Nick:wink-big:

You might have the front bars jacked up too high. Do you have any space between the UCA and the bump stop? Any droop when you lift the front of the truck?

I’ve never seen a “reinforced” axle, just an OEM replacement. Some guys leave the C-clip that holds the axle in place off to allow the axle to move in and out a bit to relive the stress a bit. You have to check your bearings a bit more often because you can let crap into the back of them since it’s not sealed.

If you can change them yourself having a $50 CV be the weakest part of your drive train in a IFS system is not so bad. Take it easy with the skinny pedal bro.

You might have the front bars jacked up too high. Do you have any space between the UCA and the bump stop? Any droop when you lift the front of the truck?

I’ve never seen a “reinforced” axle, just an OEM replacement. Some guys leave the C-clip that holds the axle in place off to allow the axle to move in and out a bit to relive the stress a bit. You have to check your bearings a bit more often because you can let crap into the back of them since it’s not sealed.

If you can change them yourself having a $50 CV be the weakest part of your drive train in a IFS system is not so bad. Take it easy with the skinny pedal bro.

If I uncrank the Tbars, the front end is lower then the back and feels like a hotrod! There is space between the bump stops and the UCAs... you think that is creating the ''broken CV axle'' situation? There is plenty of droop in the front and in the back when I lift the truck...
I think your correct concerning the reinforced cv axle.... i've been calling everywhere to find some and no one has ever heard of them...
I am seriously thinking of getting a SAS in the near future.... My friend is getting his X SASed today..... can't wait to see that!!!
Again, thanks for the info...
Have a nice day,
Nick

If there was no space between the UCA and the bump stop (half an inch or more) and there was no droop when you lifted the truck off the ground then you would have been cranked too much. It sounds as if you're ok. Any amount of lift puts stress on the CV axle, can’t be helped.
If you have just broken one since you’ve had the truck I would not worry too much. If you’re breaking all the time then some thing is not working right. I wheel my truck pretty hard and have broken two and replaced two that have had ripped boots (the axle still worked but was going to break soon).
What is your friend doing with the parts he’s taking out? Maybe he’d hook you up with his CV axles!

Thanks for the info.... Hopefully it was just an isolated incident .... I just got the truck lifted like a month ago.... took it wheeling 3 times... maybe have more luck next weekend!!!
I have no idea what my friend is doing with his independent suspension/drivetrain parts.... i'll ask him if he wants to dump them in my garage! Good idea - Thanks! He lives in Montreal and I'm in Boston... he won't come here before at least 2 weeks.... Can't wait to see his truck!!!!
Once again, thanks for your time & info!
Nick