Parts for your 1999 Toyota Altezza-Cv joint

1999 Toyota Altezza CV joint — what it is, where it lives, and how to keep it sweet

Yes, a CV joint is relevant to a 1999 Toyota Altezza. Technical literature for the XE10 platform (Toyota Altezza/Lexus IS200) confirms rear drive shafts with inboard and outboard constant‑velocity joints, while the front end has no drive shafts because it’s rear‑wheel drive. See Toyota/Lexus service manuals for XE10 (Drivetrain/Axle — Rear Drive Shaft: Removal/Installation and Disassembly/Assembly), the Toyota Electronic Parts Catalogue (EPC) for model codes SXE10/JCE10 listing rear drive shaft assemblies and boot kits, and Toyota’s New Car Features material that details the independent rear suspension using CV‑equipped half‑shafts.

On the 1999 Altezza, each rear half‑shaft uses CV joints at both ends to pass torque from the differential to the wheel hubs while the suspension moves up and down. Because they maintain constant rotational speed through an angle, CVs keep things smooth and quiet, reducing vibration and driveline harshness. The joints are packed with high‑moly grease and sealed by flexible boots, those boots are the heroes that keep grit and water out.

For servicing, it pays to keep an eye on the boots at regular service intervals. Torn or cracked rubber, grease splatter on the inner rim or underbody, a rhythmic clicking on acceleration out of a corner, or a shudder under load are classic signs the Altezza’s rear CVs or boots need attention. Left to run dry, a scored joint will quickly go from noisy to knackered.

• Inspection: Check rear CV boots at each service (or every 10,000–15,000 km). Look for splits, hardening, loose clamps, or flung grease.
• Boot repair: If the joint hasn’t worn, a genuine‑quality boot kit with the correct grease and clamps is a tidy fix that preserves the robust factory joints.
• Replacement: If there’s play, corrosion, or pitting, fit a quality remanufactured or new half‑shaft. Reuse of worn joints is false economy.
• Fitment tips: Keep everything surgically clean, match left/right shaft lengths, seat circlips fully, and torque fasteners to factory specs. After refit, road‑test for vibration and recheck for any weeps.

Given Australia and New Zealand’s coastal air and road grime, preventative boot replacement before a long trip can be smarter than waiting for a split to strand the driver. With decent parts and careful fitting, the rear CV joints on an Altezza will usually clock up plenty of kilometres without fuss.

Popular questions

Does a 1999 Toyota Altezza have front CV joints?
Being rear‑wheel drive, the Altezza doesn’t use front CV joints or drive shafts. The CV joints are fitted to the rear half‑shafts only, at the inboard (diff) and outboard (hub) ends.

What are the signs a rear CV joint is failing on an Altezza?
Common give‑aways include grease sprayed around the inner wheel or underbody, a clicking or clacking on take‑off or when loading the driveline in a bend, and vibration under acceleration. A split boot is often the first clue and should be sorted before the joint wears.

Can the Altezza’s rear CV joint be re‑booted, or is a full shaft replacement better?
If the joint is still smooth with no play or pitting, a proper boot kit and fresh grease is ideal. If there’s wear, a complete shaft (or professional rebuild) is the better call for reliability and balance.