Hey everyone,

I'm looking to replace the CV axle on my 2013 Lexus RX450h FWD and wanted to get some feedback from someone who’ve gone through it. I've seen a few brands come up repeatedly like GSP, TrakMotive, Cardone, and a few others.

Anyone have real-world experience with these brands in terms of quality, longevity, and ease of install? I’ve read reviews on GSP and TrakMotive—some say they’re solid for the price, others have had issues with premature failure or vibrations.

I'm trying to avoid spending dealership-level money but also don’t want to be doing this job again in six months. Any recommendations or things I should watch out for?

Thanks in advance!

 

These older threads may be of help:
​​​​​​https://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx-...m-cardone.html
​​​​​​https://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx-...e-cv-axle.html
​​​​​​https://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx-...questions.html
​​​​​​https://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx-...air-issue.html

 

I have used Cardone on multiple cars with no issues what so ever.

 

With a reman item, it all depends upon the quality of rebuild. So one item from reman process has little bearing on on another. The advantage might be in the lifetime warranty if they provide one.

I would fork the extra money to get OEM shaft and save on labor charges. [Since I am a DIY, the choice is easy for me].

Salim

 

Im not being able to find OEM replacement for my car that’s why im searching to buy aftermarket one but I want to know from the aftermarket ones which are recommended

 

As an DIY owner I would just buy an Cardone CV shaft axle set with lifetime warranty at the local parts store for about 1/4 of what it would cost to buy a OEM CV axle set. I always change my CV axle(and wheel bearings) in pairs because if one side is bad the other side is also worn and is prone to a failure.

A set of OEM CV axles will last much longer, but I have an 10 year old 2015 RX350 so I am not going to spend over $1400 just to buy OEM CV axles for it so the next owner will benefit from having them.


However, if you have to pay a mechanic to swap it out then I would just have the repair shop purchase an OEM CV axle as needed due to labor cost. It could get expensive paying a mechanic to swap out the cheaper aftermarket CV axles every few years even if they have a life time warranty since the warranty does not cover shop labor fees.

 

I've used Cardone on ES350 and Toyota Solara. Perfectly fine. That said, this is one area where the aftermarket does not duplicate the Lexus part. People get all crazy about tie rods and such, I will advocate aftermarket for those all day long if there is a big cost savings, takes me about 15 minutes to replace a tie rod, no big deal if aftermarket fails (which btw- has never happened). But the Lexus CV axle has a vibration damper installed that the after markets do not. I would say that the aftermarket CV ride quality is not same as Lexus CV ride quality. To pin a percentage on it, you will lose 5-10% of the smoothness of the ride under certain conditions, emphasis, not all conditions. If you plan to keep your car for another 10 years, invest in the Lexus one and get it over with. Anyone can install these, it doesn't take a dealership. order them at a discount and find a good indy to install them.

BTW - this is one of those jobs where certain things can be replaced while your in there. Quite a bit has to come off to remove these, however, your only doing one side, so that will negate some of the while your in there. i.e. outer tie-rods. That would also force an alignment, which you may need one anyway.

Are you certain its the CV axle and not something else causing your symptoms?

 

My experience with CV axles is that aftermarket ones are always a crapshoot. You can never bet on how well they actually fit or how long they will actually last. When my 2013 Outback 3.6R needed a new right front CV axle a couple of years ago, I found an online genuine Subaru parts seller and ordered one at a significant discount (I saved about $125).

 

Have you looked at on line Lexus parts [Some Lexus dealerships sell on line at discount Bell Lexus of Arizona as one ex]

imho: replacing the shaft does not need Lexus/Toyota trained tech.

Salim

PS: Pardon me as I am still insisting on sharing my opinion as what "I would do" and not necessarily what "you want". Definitely my shortcoming!