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The issues I've had with axles. Posted by Gene N [Email]  (#1094)  [Profile/Gallery]
(more from Gene N) on Fri, 7 May 2004 06:08:40
In Reply to: Good points...., David Ingram, Thu, 6 May 2004 13:18:47 Members see ZERO ads on the bulletin boards and get more feature. - Help Keep This Site Online - Signup |
This is on a 1987 Acrua Legend. I had replaced both axles because one developed a bad click on turns. (The axles were original at 170,000 miles--we had bought the car new so I have all the records.) I inspected the other axle that seemed fine and noticed it had a rip. So, I decided to replace both.
One of the replaced axles developed a click after 2 months. I got another one from the parts store and put it on. This next one had worn splines on the inner end and was a real struggle to get on. After a month the inner driver pulled out of the intermediate shaft on the road. I had the car towed home, and I took the axle out of the car and widened the set ring and seated it back into the intermediate shaft. (This car is like the old 900's where a ring on edge of the splines holds the inner driver in the transmission or, in this case, the intermediate shaft.)
The axle came out on the road again, and I had another tow. This time I measured the length of the axle and it was an inch and a half shorter than specifications. Third axle from the parts store. This one was also short (not as much). Taking a close look at the inner boot, it appeared that the boot was stretched out when it was installed. It was either too small (i.e., not long enough) or the clamp was put on too far down the shaft. I cut the small clamp and adjusted the rest length of the axle to the correct specification, put on a band clamp, and figured I was finished.
Three weeks later, the CV joint in the same axle developed a clicking on turns. I threw in the towel and bought a new joint. I had invested way too much energy in a car that my 16 year old daughter was just going to use to drive to and from school. I can't fault the parts store. They never gave me a hassle about replacements. I thought about getting an axle from another store, but most of the stores get their import supplies from Worldpac, who is apparently the big supplier nationally, so it wouldn't have done any good.
Note that the other axle is still fine. My theory is that most shops and backyard mechanics replace the axle when they see a torn boot, but the CV joint isn't damaged right away. The "rebuilders" take advantage of this and don't really inspect them, just clean them. If they inspect it and find a defective CV joint they have three choices. Put a $100 joint on an axle they are going to get $49 for, wholesale. Chuck the axle and now they are short an axle for the rebuilding process. Or, put new boots on it and hope nobody notices.
That said, I'm not against rebuilt parts, and I use them all of the time. I've had great luck with alternators and brake calipers, where the components accommodate quality rebuilding. I just don't think much of rebuilt axles.
Whoa, this way too long a post! Sorry, but you asked.
posted by 155.104.24...
, Thu, 6 May 2004 10:34:00, Fri, 7 May 2004 06:08:40 <-- Viewing This Message, Thu, 6 May 2004 10:24:54
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