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Experience with CHEAP Axles ? Please share
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Posted by Mark in Marine [Email] (#1837) [Profile/Gallery] (more from Mark in Marine) on Tue, 3 Apr 2018 09:01:48 Share Post by Email
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My 1999 SE 2.3t is at about 231K miles. Engine and transmission are still fine. I have owned it since May of 2009, and we've put on more than 100K miles since purchase (with a lot of parts, TLC, tires, and so on). I would like a reality check on experience and opinions on CHEAP front axles.

I am not driving this '99 SE much, because of an annoying vibration issue at speeds of 55 mph or so under right speed and road roughness. It's pretty definitely right (passenger in US) side front.

I suspect the right side Transfer Axle bearing and/or the right side inner CV joint of binding and producing the vibration at speed. Tires are good, vibration does not follow tire, no clicking or scuffing in low speed turns, brakes not sticking (calipers/rotors/pads are nearly new), wheel bearing new (it was bad and I replaced), tie rod end and ball joint are nice and tight, strut seems fine (Bilstein HD, no leak, about 60Kmiles).

I have a new transfer axle bearing, I have axle seals for the transmission - I will remove the axles, look them over to see whether re-grease and re- boot are feasible (boots are pretty cheap).

AXLE QUESTION: Please share experiences of $50 to $150 GSP and FEQ axles. It is hard for me to imagine how one can make and sell even shoddy parts at $50 per axle - but are any of the $150 axles any better ? I cannot see spending for new SAAB OE axles, and used are a roll of the dice that will need to be disassembled, cleaned, inspected, and re-booted anyway.

My GOAL is to give someone a drivable car. For us this car is close to the "let it go" stage, but I replaced lots of things over the years, and it is probably a better and safer car than a lot of what is on the road. Most everything works except the AC - SID included. We're considering donating it to someone we know to provide a year or two of transportation without a need to worry about insuring for collision or making an initial spend. I am quite aware of the 'white elephant' analogy, but these cars are fundamentally sound. Ours has had PCV6 before we owned it and renewed since, and oil consumption is under a quart in 5K miles.

Thanks for your input !

Mark in Marine


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