Rebuilding axles/noise damper,

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by BrakeMyPrius, Jun 11, 2026 at 11:09 PM.

  1. BrakeMyPrius

    BrakeMyPrius New Member

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    I took apart my old and new axle. My main question is why the new axle doesn't have the same range of motion, should I just use the old axle/bearings? I've come this far...
     

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  2. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    If you have the time and patience and special tools like boot clamp crimpers, rebuilding an original Toyota axle is thrifty, and leaves you with a better axle than an aftermarket replacement.

    Bob Wilson often reposts the three things you usually get to choose two of: good, fast, cheap.

    New Toyota axle: good, fast

    New aftermarket axle: fast, cheap

    Rebuild your own Toyota axle: good, cheap (cheap if you're equipped for it; less so if you have to buy the tools)
     
  3. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk MMX GEN III

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    The Car Care Nut has a very thorough video on rebuilding the original driveshaft, and he repeatedly advocates rebuilding, due to shortcomings of aftermarket replacements. IIRC it’s not a Prius driveshaft he’s rebuilding, but still worth a watch:



    full disclosure: never attempted this myself.

    (reported post to wrong forum, mod can fix)
     
    #3 Mendel Leisk, Jun 12, 2026 at 9:47 AM
    Last edited: Jun 12, 2026 at 9:52 AM
    BrakeMyPrius likes this.
  4. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

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    We all used to go this in the late 80 early 90 . Or if take em to a place that'd blast em apart on spot and hand em back to me 94 bux a pop . They all went out of business because axle shaft became $75 replacement for most . Do tools hang on wall . The 800 otc wall. Mount spring strut compressor which I did not pay for . And been used twice only cause folks believed that a cates strut could blow you're hand off . Leave you eye less etc . Took about twenty years to quash that ole wives tale. Now large trucks etc is a different story .
     
  5. BrakeMyPrius

    BrakeMyPrius New Member

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    For future reference to anyone who may need this information later.

    You should use a lithium-based grease that is fortified with molybdenum for the outers. Im using Valvoline lithium base moly enhanced grease here.

    For the inners I'm going with Lucas Xtra strength.
     
  6. BrakeMyPrius

    BrakeMyPrius New Member

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    Thank you allot for this @Mendel Leisk