replacing FR CV axle question

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.

 

If that’s the case, makes you wonder why the heck they don’t do that during factory assembly.

 

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.

 

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...