Cardone Select Halfshafts? Worth it?

[projektvertx]

Ok, so I finally got the chance to narrow down an annoying noise today after my last final... I was suffering an intermittent clicking for about 2 weeks now, it only occurs when I hit a speedbump a little to fast (I usually don't, but I was in a hurry to make it to work on time 2 weeks ago) I've narrowed it down to the Driver Side halfshaft, when I tug REALLY hard at it, it shifts at the CV joint, and the CV boot is looking like it's developping a crack near the steering knuckle.

So I've decided I'll change both sides to spare myself the headache later on down the road... But I was looking at some online OEM sites and cheapest I could find was 140$ a side+shipping. Now, Rockauto has Cardone Select brand new halfshafts for 50.42$ a side + shipping, but here is my question: are they any good? I am really afraid that the Cardone's will start rusting out after only 1 winter season or something. Any opinions??

http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/raframecatalog.php

[hill8570]

Toyota also sells rebuilt half axles...not sure who does their rebuilds, 'tho. Maybe someone else can chime in with the part number.

Personally, if I went aftermarket, I'd probably go with a Cardone rebuilt (A1 Cardone) instead of a new Cardone..at least with a rebuild you know most of the parts are OEM quality.

[ASG14]

I put on 2 Cardone Select ones a couple weeks ago from Rock Auto ironically enough. Either do a Cardone new or rebuild. They are good quality.

Toyota rebuilds are not done through Toyota. I don't need ot say more then that. I will NOT buy a Toyota Reman part after the issues I have had. I love new Toyota parts though.

[Nervous]

I installed one about two years ago. No complains. NAPA sells them too (re-branded to "NAPA", new axle), more expensive than rockauto though.

[BMR]

I had a horrible experience with Cardone's reman'd shafts. The passenger-side, I had to replace 3 times before a got a CV joint that wasn't noiser than the one I was replacing. After the second bad reman'd, the auto parts store gave me a new one instead that was good. Good thing they're a lot easier to R&R on the V6 or I'd've REALLY been ticked.

[Nervous]

Originally Posted by BMR

I had a horrible experience with Cardone's reman'd shafts. The passenger-side, I had to replace 3 times before a got a CV joint that wasn't noiser than the one I was replacing. After the second bad reman'd, the auto parts store gave me a new one instead that was good. Good thing they're a lot easier to R&R on the V6 or I'd've REALLY been ticked.

Don't mix up A1 Cardone (remanufactured) with Cardone Select (brand new ones). They are completely different. Cardone Select has pretty decent quality.

[projektvertx]

Originally Posted by hill8570

Toyota also sells rebuilt half axles...not sure who does their rebuilds, 'tho. Maybe someone else can chime in with the part number.

Personally, if I went aftermarket, I'd probably go with a Cardone rebuilt (A1 Cardone) instead of a new Cardone..at least with a rebuild you know most of the parts are OEM quality.

Originally Posted by ASG14

I put on 2 Cardone Select ones a couple weeks ago from Rock Auto ironically enough. Either do a Cardone new or rebuild. They are good quality.

Toyota rebuilds are not done through Toyota. I don't need ot say more then that. I will NOT buy a Toyota Reman part after the issues I have had. I love new Toyota parts though.

Rebuilds are a good idea in theory, but the price difference is negligble. I also tend to avoid rebuilt parts my logic being: The rebuilt part is only as good as who rebuilt it and the part being rebuilt it. So there is simply too much variation in quality...

I didn't know Toyota sold rebuilt parts!? That's something new I've learned today But yeah, if they are outsourced, then that defeats the purpose of paying Toyota premium I guess if ASG14 has Cardone selects, then I can do it How hard where they to install? I'm imagining it would be a tough job no?

Originally Posted by Nervous

I installed one about two years ago. No complains. NAPA sells them too (re-branded to "NAPA", new axle), more expensive than rockauto though.

How did they fare out to the winters? Did they develop excessive rust? I mean, hypothetically, they shouldn't really rust after 2 winters assuming you wash you undercarriage, but it's worth asking

[flyeri]

If you are going to do both sides do the intermediate and half shaft on the right side. (I am assuming your model as the intermediate shaft). I did half shafts on both sides and had a problem a year later because of the wear present on the old intermediate shaft. The cost difference was only a few bucks and the job was much easier as the int and half shaft came assembled as one unit. I used A-1 Cardone and have had no problems other than previously mentioned.

[projektvertx]

Originally Posted by flyeri

If you are going to do both sides do the intermediate and half shaft on the right side. (I am assuming your model as the intermediate shaft). I did half shafts on both sides and had a problem a year later because of the wear present on the old intermediate shaft. The cost difference was only a few bucks and the job was much easier as the int and half shaft came assembled as one unit. I used A-1 Cardone and have had no problems other than previously mentioned.

What year/engine do you have??

[flyeri]

Originally Posted by projektvertx

What year/engine do you have??

I did not see your info in your signature. Mine is a 95 4cyl auto.

[projektvertx]

Originally Posted by flyeri

I did not see your info in your signature. Mine is a 95 4cyl auto.

It's all good I never mentionned it in the original post on the basis that a diagnosis had been reached I was wondering for a second there...

[ASG14]

If your aV6 xles are original, they have the 2 piece axles which makes things so much easier. You will likely need an impact gun to get the center nut off the axle on the hub. My 2ft breaker bar didn't even work! Thats the hardest part believe it or not. If you plan to do this yourself, I write a quick set of directions up for you. I should have taken pics and made a DIY, but didn't. Just let me know.

[Nervous]

The good and cheap substitution for the impact wrench is the long enough pipe extension. I used 5 ft pipe from the nearest Home Depot and it worked like a charm! $10 the price.
Cardone Select axles consist of two parts as well, btw.

[ASG14]

^ Remember, your from MD where there is not the amount of rust he or I has. The nut on my car was SO rusted on, I couldn't get it off with a breaker bar, JUMPING on it as hard as I could. Rust SUCKS!!!!!!!!!

[Nervous]

Well, originally I am from PA, and everything is ok with the rust there
Ok, if 5 ft pipe doesn't work then 10 ft one will do!