Replace a 5th-gen 4Runner front CV axle with a Toyota OEM unit (PN 43430-60083) in two to four hours; torque the axle nut to 174 ft-lbs and use the updated nut PN 90177-A0023 with new OEM axles.
Front CV axles on the 5th gen 4Runner (2010-onward) and the related GX460 typically fail from torn boots first. The boot rips on rocks or against a poorly clearanced UCA after a lift, grease flings out, the joint runs dry, and within a few thousand miles you have a clicking sound on tight turns under throttle. Once you hear the click, the joint is done — re-booting at that stage is a temporary fix. Replace the axle assembly.
Toyota OEM is the honest answer for stock or moderately lifted 4Runners that see daily driving. The OEM axle (43430-60083 fits both sides on 2011-2024 4Runners and FJ Cruisers) is rebuildable, the boots last twice as long as most aftermarket boots, and the joint stays quiet at full droop with lift. Expect about $400-450 for the OEM unit. Note that current production OEM axles require the updated axle nut (90177-A0023) — buy two if you're doing both sides.
Aftermarket options like GSP Premium Loaded or Cardone Select run $140-170 and are acceptable for stock-height 4Runners. They will not hold up as well on a lifted truck running 33s or 34s and dropping into the throttle in 4-low. The cheapest econo-brand axles ($60-90) bind at lift-height droop angles and tear boots within a year — skip them.
If you are lifted more than 2.5 inches up front, you are running the CV at angles it was never designed to operate at. The two things that prolong axle life on a lifted 4Runner are: (1) limiting down-travel with proper bumpstops so the CV never goes past its safe angle, and (2) upgrading to aftermarket upper control arms that re-locate the upper ball joint to keep the spindle more vertical. Without those changes, even an OEM CV axle is on a clock.
Common mistake: forgetting to back off the axle nut before lifting the truck. The nut requires 174 ft-lbs of torque to remove and the wheel needs to be on the ground (or a helper holding the brake) so the hub doesn't spin.
| Part | Vendor | Est. price |
|---|---|---|
| Toyota OEM Front CV Axle (L/R) — 5th Gen | Toyota | ~$420 |
| Toyota Updated Axle Nut | Toyota | ~$8 |
| GSP Premium Loaded CV Axle | GSP | ~$145 |
| Cardone Select New CV Axle | Cardone | ~$160 |
Written and maintained by an AZ wheeler and driveway wrencher. Always cross-reference your factory service manual — modifications affect vehicle safety and warranty. Work at your own risk.