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replacing FR CV axle question

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by dewski, Jan 21, 2021.

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  1. dewski

    dewski Junior Member

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    Long story short, after replacing the hub/bearing assembly on my 2012 front driver side I kinda killed the CV joint so now I am also going to replace the cv axle. I'm going the non OEM route. I noticed on the axle that there is something attached around the axle just inward of the outer boot (the non OEM assembly doesn't have this) Can someone tell me what this piece/part is and if it is needed (see photo)


    Also if anyone needs tips on changing the hub....I have some now lol (total PITA!)
     

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    #1 dewski, Jan 21, 2021
  2. dewski

    dewski Junior Member

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    anyone have any insight on what that is attached to the axle?
     
    #2 dewski, Jan 23, 2021
  3. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

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    It's kind of a damper, helps with any vibration. I honestly do not know if needs to be
    in a certain place, or if you need it. But you could have to remove one of the joint to
    install it on the new axel, which might void the warranty.
    Should you decide to clean and regrease the original hubs, you can keep the axel for next time.
    Unless the boot tore and there was no grease and it destroyed the bearings and races...
    Since the new axel doesnt' have it, I wouldn't worry about it.

    The hubs should have been fairly easy, depending on how you did it.
    The difficult part is rotating the hub both ways to work it out, or to use bolts to push it out.

    And if you use a wire brush to clean up the frame and use antisieze on the hub and frame,
    it will come right out the next time.
     
    #3 ASRDogman, Jan 23, 2021
  4. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    If that’s the case, makes you wonder why the heck they don’t do that during factory assembly.
     
    #4 Mendel Leisk, Jan 23, 2021
    ASRDogman likes this.
  5. dewski

    dewski Junior Member

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    bearings were shot on original hub so I first replaced the hub assembly (total bitch to get the hub out of the socket) but after 2 nights of beating and banging on it, breaking an axle puller, having a slide hammer only pull the bearing assembly apart - but the hub remained lol....I finally got it to break free by pounding a bolt from the holes behind, busting my thumbnail in the process. (yes...I cleaned up the socket and greased it before installing the new bearing) I must have nicked a small tear in the outer cv boot that I didn't notice until several hundred miles later and lost all the grease. Since it is older original cv and I've beat the car pretty good over the years...I figured getting a new half shaft was my best bet vs new boot/grease. Anyhow, I did notice that little extra fitting around the original OEM axle on the outter shaft and the new one I got (carquest branded) didn't have that fitting...I wondered if it was necessary or could be transferred. It would suck to put in the new half shaft only to find that the part was necessary and have to pull everything apart once again :) The passenger side assembly doesn't have that fitting
     
    #5 dewski, Jan 23, 2021
  6. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    2012 Toyota Prius Two Drive Shaft Damper (Left, Front). CVT, Axle, Brakes - 4347412160 - Genuine Toyota Part


    It's to kill noise and vibration from the axle. In another thread, Elektroingenieur recently posted a good video that explains why such things are there and how they work (in particular around 10:30 to 11:00 or so).



    The aftermarket shafts omit them to be cheap, and for cheap you get more vibration and noise. Adding it is probably more trouble than it's worth, given that you'd need to take a joint apart, as ASR explained. Maybe there are aftermarket versions available as two halves that can be installed on an assembled axle. I know there are some replacement boot kits like that.
     
    #6 ChapmanF, Jan 23, 2021
    Last edited: Jan 23, 2021
  7. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

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    I've done a lot of hubs, and have NEVER had the crazy problems others have had.
    I didn't have the correct size bolt to us or I would have used them. The stock ones are too long
    to fit where they need to fit.
    Did you use rust penetrant? That's helps a lot.
    Sorry you had such a hard time, but at least they are out. :)
    Grease might work, antiseize is best though. Either way, the next time should be easier.
    It's easy to pintch that boot! I did mine! But I bought the boots, pulled the axel, then joint and
    replaced the boot and repacked it. If I could have found the hole, I would have just used some heat
    to melt the hole. But I couldn't find it until I clean the boot(after removing it).
    I "think" you have to remove the inner joint to get the dampner off.
    But if the joint isn't knocking when you turn to the extremes, save the money and get the boots.
    Unless you've already gotten the axel...
     
    #7 ASRDogman, Jan 23, 2021
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