I have to replace the right hand front axle again as the CV is making yum noises. So I'm just wondering how long you get out of second hand front axles and how long you get out of new ones? I'm mainly interested for rigs with bigger tires.

In the 20,000km odd I have driven the Brumby I have changed the both the front axles due to CV problems. I also had to change the inner DOJoint on the left hand side because I put it back together the wrong way round. I only use S/H axles due to cost.

Just interested really.

I'm having bad luck with my little loyale and its axles. Tried the NAPA ones a few months ago and sure enough, click click click click! Before that was CarQuest.

 

I've seen good reviews on here about AutoZone's axle brands, as well as a small operation that just makes axles. I'll try to find the post again and slap it here if I find it.

I'm having bad luck with my little loyale and its axles. Tried the NAPA ones a few months ago and sure enough, click click click click! Before that was CarQuest.

 

I've seen good reviews on here about AutoZone's axle brands, as well as a small operation that just makes axles. I'll try to find the post again and slap it here if I find it.

 

 

Correction: You have heard good reviews about GCK axles, which are in fact sold at autozone as well as other places. IIRC, Autozone had them for dirt cheap sometime recently; but they are NOT autozone "brand" at ALL!! Autozone brand is Duralast, which is universally CRAP, no matter what the part. Sometimes cheap crap is worth it, though.

 

The other alternative is MWE rebuilt axles. MWE is a company that rebuils Subaru Axles for Subaru People; they know that "rebuilt subaru axles suck" and they make theirs NOT suck, from what I have heard.

 

Of course, for our Aussie and Kiwi friends, GCK and MWE may as well be MIA, the cost to ship makes it more practical to carry a spare OEM in the trunk.

Yes, I meant a brand that AutoZone sells. I'm well aware of the DURALAST reputation.

 

Although there is a time/place/part where going cheap isn't logical (axles being one of them), I've used misc Duralast parts many times with no issues. I'm just keeping a 90 Loyale with 270,000 miles alive and don't have the cash for the high-end stuff. I save that money for my F-250 monster truck. :cool:

I'm actually more interested in how many miles you get out of new vs wrecker (junkyard) axles..

Not too fussed about the brands, although if your talking new axles please specify brand.

Thanks.

Totally unrelated and ban me at will, but...

 

my 94 geo metro went through axles 4-6 times a year. Did this for 3 years. Got good at it, too. 20 minutes each side.

 

If I had the moneys, stealerjip for me, always. Too spendy and they steal from you and jip you, but quality comes at a price.

Yes, I meant a brand that AutoZone sells. I'm well aware of the DURALAST reputation.

 

 

Apologies, maybe I should have said "clarification" not "correction;" THAT was what I meant anyhow.

 

I just didnt want anyone reading that and thinking "autozone brand good!" OR thinking that autozone was the only place to get them. Thats all.

I'm actually more interested in how many miles you get out of new vs wrecker (junkyard) axles..

Not too fussed about the brands, although if your talking new axles please specify brand.

Thanks.

 

That's really not a logical question. Think about it - you are asking after the lifetime of junk yard parts!?

 

It entirely depends on how the car is driven, the age and condition of the engine and tranny mounts, the condition of the boots, and the proper axle part #being used (ie: not a 2WD in a 4WD chassis, etc). In other words too many factors to make any accurate analysis possible.

 

Generally speaking, if you have a NEW, quality axle, and the vehicle it goes into is properly maintained then you can expect at least 100,000 and probably more like 150,000+ from a new CV joint. Remaned are a total crap shoot and may not even make it out of the shop.

 

Totally unrelated and ban me at will, but...

 

my 94 geo metro went through axles 4-6 times a year. Did this for 3 years. Got good at it, too. 20 minutes each side.

 

If I had the moneys, stealerjip for me, always. Too spendy and they steal from you and jip you, but quality comes at a price.

 

For older-gen Subaru's there are better options than the dealer - the dealer only has remaned units at this point. There are several sources of NEW axles outside of the dealer channels that are better quality than original if not just as good.

 

GD

GD.. I'm not after exact measurements of how long they last. Just a general time difference between ones you pick up at the junkyard and ones you buy in the shop. I know I can't afford new ones, but I was wondering weather or not they are really worth it in the long run. So, all I ask is, how many miles on average do you get out of a "good looking" axles from the junkyard vs "whatever brand" new one? Simple really and it does have merit as a question in my mind.

Yeah I don't know if you have the GCK's in AUS, but for $100 each they really can't be beat and the investment is worth it. I've never really gauged how far I can push a JY axle, but it generally depends more on the condition of the boots... If I were going to use JY units I would probably reboot them and change the grease. Assuming you do that I don't see why most of them couldn't go for at least 20,000 to 50,000 or more. It also depends on the chassis - EA81's tend to use more axles as they both have higher ground clearance AND shorter axles - both factors increase the running angles and decrease the lifetime of the joints. I've seen axles click for 10,000 miles on an EA82 - running the whole time with blown boots and the EA81's wouldn't handle this at all.

 

GD

Front axles? They will last till I can find a place that stocks them:dead:

also depends on the chassis - EA81's tend to use more axles as they both have higher ground clearance AND shorter axles -

Yeah. Thing here of cause is I run EA82 axles with custom control arms and radius rods. And I also run a little less clearnce then stock due to the EJ22.

The JY shafts I will only get have both boots in good condition and feel good. I don't run them for very long when they break a boot either, so easy and cheap to fix.

It's just it costs $130-$160 for a new/reman axle or $20-$25 for a JY jobbie. Only like 35mins to swap as well, and thats taking my time.

The right side (one that needs replacing) has lasted maybe 12,000km (7,300m.) But it only started making noise after I took the car on some very hardcore (for a subie) hill climbs. I heard some nosies on the way up that a car should NEVER make and I think it may of been the CV's as the rest of the rubbers and joints are all good in the front end. So that really explains why I go through axles so fast. I just kinda wanted to know the percentage difference in miles I guess.

I've been in Coloardo now for 17 years and just now heard about MWE axles.

Since this will be my THIRD set of axles, I'm gonna drive over there and pick me up a pair of thier axles.

 

Wish me luck.

I have a reman axle (pass. side) that's starting to make noise after ~4000 miles

 

Replacement will be a GCK from autozone most likely.

 

-Dave

Not for nothing, but back in the day, when I got my '78 BRAT as a birthday gift from my boyfriend, I drove it for 14 years and never changed the axles... the rust gods got the whole car first... that has to say something for new factory axles. The exhaust system was another story... 3 failed during that time frame.

 

My current '78 has eaten 2 in 3 years. I purposely bought used ones for my '86 with 3k or so on them and they are still ok. If a rebuilt is going to fail, it will do it quick enough to at least get your money back

GCK axles seem to be mostly good, but I got one with a bad bind to it. It still vibrates on acceleration, but not nearly as bad as it was new. I've been ruthless to them with the hope the bad one will break and i can turn it in for replacement. So take it out of the box and work it around first before you buy it.