Gen 3 Camry Rusty Driveshaft ID technique?

[dimwittedmoose51]

Working on a neighbor lady's 95 Camry 4 cyl automatic(89k) and the passenger side outer CV boot is torn and the driver's side is cracking. The rumor is that Toyota used both Toyota and GKN half shafts in Camrys in the 90's. My question is how do you tell whether you have GKN shafts or Toyota? According to www.autohausaz.com, the boot repair kits are different and I'd like to order the right boots the first time. The Haynes book says that you check the outer CV and if it has no logo stamped on it, then it's a Toyota. if it's a GKN, there should be a GKN stamped on there. Since we live in Iowa, the outer CV joint bodies have so much rust on them, I doubt that I'm going to be able to ID anything in there without removing it and disabling her car for a week or better while the parts travel here.

Is there another way to ID the maker of these shafts? I guess I could post a photo or two from under the car if that would help.

Thanks In Advance.

Max

[toyomoho]

Go back to the www.autohausaz.com and check out the inner boot dim's for GKN, then compare to what you have.

If the boot was torn suggest replacing the complete shaft. It take less work and often the joint is now contaminated with debris and has no grease left. As such it is more prone to fail.

[dimwittedmoose51]

I guess I was trying to save her some money. If Subaru wants $330 per driveshaft for their rear AWD wagons, God only knows what Toyota will want for theirs. Empi sells the China axles for like $65 a piece, but I'd rather repack these if they'r not clicking. There seems to be a big drop off in quaality when you move from Japan to China. If I find damage in the torn outer CV joint, then I'll go shopping. I guess I ocould order a set of each and send back the ones I don't need.

Then, there's getting out the wire wheel and see what we can uncover under neath that rust.

thanks anyway.

Max

[toyomoho]

The two brands also use differant inner boots The inner boot dia for GKN is listed at the autohausaz site , use this diameter to compare with what is on the axle now.

And go to the link below which has a description of the GKN shaft.

http://info.rockauto.com/Precision/DetailBoot.html

[dimwittedmoose51]

Thanks for the follow up. I'm much better informed than 24 hours ago!!

Max