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CV Driveshaft Options; Remanufactured or New?
Topic Started: Nov 5 2013, 11:06 AM (2,513 Views)
nathan298
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Geo Resurrector

I use the new axles from Advance Auto Parts. Lifetime warranty and they usually run $59-69. Plus you can go to www.retailmenot.com and get coupon codes for up to 40% off.

Edit: cano't spelle
Edited by nathan298, Nov 5 2013, 08:26 PM.
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JADEDSL2
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Resident WraithSlayer

You can also get actual NEW axles from Parts Geek That's where I got mine. Good quality, fairly reasonable pricing. There's oodles and gobs of sources for parts besides just the local parts store.
Edited by JADEDSL2, Nov 5 2013, 09:52 PM.
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00Metro
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Geo Glenn
Nov 5 2013, 08:21 PM
00Metro
Nov 5 2013, 08:19 PM
Um...You're gonna need some lube to put back in the tranny. Don't forget to drain tranny before yanking the axles out.

Syncromesh is what most recommend. 75w90 synthetic is what is in mine right now.
:smackface

(00Metro suddenly realizes that MechaGodzilla's transmission is automatic.)

:banghead :banghead :banghead :banghead :banghead

Forgot there are autos :stoner
Hey still need some lube, just something a little more automatic friendly :D
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JADEDSL2
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Resident WraithSlayer

00Metro
Nov 5 2013, 10:18 PM
Geo Glenn
Nov 5 2013, 08:21 PM
00Metro
Nov 5 2013, 08:19 PM
Um...You're gonna need some lube to put back in the tranny. Don't forget to drain tranny before yanking the axles out.

Syncromesh is what most recommend. 75w90 synthetic is what is in mine right now.
:smackface

(00Metro suddenly realizes that MechaGodzilla's transmission is automatic.)

:banghead :banghead :banghead :banghead :banghead

Forgot there are autos :stoner
Hey still need some lube, just something a little more automatic friendly :D
Not if you jack up the side you're working on high enough to make all the fluid go to the other side of the trans. :thumb That's pretty friggin high though.
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MechaGodzilla
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*Stupid question removed*
Edited by MechaGodzilla, Nov 12 2013, 03:20 PM.
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MechaGodzilla
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Still researching parts and I guess that I wasn't surprised to find out that pretty much all new axles are made in China these days. The re-mans seem to be done in the USA, but can you be certain that the re-manufactured part started as OEM? :dunno

I know that internet product reviews skew heavily toward the negative, so I'm probably over-thinking this, but for every positive post about a given brand there are countless "broke in a month" "new cv vibrated badly" or similar comments. Every time I find something promising, I do a bit of research and can't commit. I read a couple of good reviews about EMPI, then I found out that USA Industries bought the brand and is importing the parts from... guess where... and all of a sudden the poor quality reviews start showing up.

New+Made in China (as far as I can tell)-
Cardone Select (not sure, but I believe these are also NAPA MaxDrive and O'Reilley MasterPro Select)
EMPI (Parts Geek / Rockauto made by USA Industries)
SurTrack (CarQuest made by Wonh Ind.)
Tough One (Advance made by GSP)
***based on my research alone- if you have better info let me know and I'll update this post***

Since my Metro is only getting minimal use right now and we're coming up on a holiday, I'm taking my time with this decision. I don't want to have to do it again in a couple of months or years. Probably being ridiculous when talking about an 18 y/o vehicle, I guess. In the mean time, I emailed Raxles for a parts quote- I have never read a negative review about their axles, but I'm not sure if they even make them for this car. If I hear back from them I'll post their response.
Edited by MechaGodzilla, Dec 3 2013, 02:34 PM.
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MechaGodzilla
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Info update: I talked to Raxles and they don't make any products for our cars.
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metromizer


The EMPI brand axle/CV's are pretty good. (one of the few things from EMPI that are)
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Sparky
Elite Member
[ *  *  *  *  * ]
Went to pick up a new driver side axle for my 94 Metro this morning and the lady said that the price was now $129.00. (Ouch) The one that she was warranting was only about 70 bucks. This was at O'Reilly auto.
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MechaGodzilla
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Alright, I finally bit the bullet and placed an order last night. All in all probably a tougher decision than it should have been, but there were a few factors that steered me there, including feedback from forum members that helped me narrow things down a bit...

#1- Call me chicken- :shit but I had to go with a brick-and-mortar retailer on this one. After reading all the horror stories about people receiving the wrong axle, I needed to be able to exchange it without waiting for shipping to turn around. It's getting near winter and I need my garage available.

#2- I had to get a lifetime warranty. Again, based on internet complaints- if the part fails I'll only be out the time it takes me to replace it. This pretty much meant that I had to get a new axle as most of the re-manufactured ones have a more limited warranty.

I finally narrowed it down to a choice between $98/ea NAPA MaxDrive (which I think are re-boxed Cardone Select) and ~$70/ea Advance Auto ToughOne (which are made by GSP).

Cyber Monday deals... NAPA=none. :x Advance Auto+Discover Card online order scored me a 30% discount = winner at ~$49/ea. :rocker I also got a couple of output shaft seals and a pack of axle washers. Some of the stuff wasn't in stock locally so I had it all shipped together (free with the coupon code).

More to follow...

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MechaGodzilla
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Well, today is D-day. I believe that we will be maxing-out at around 24 degrees here, but even so- pdqrunner has graciously offered to bring some tools over and babysit me through the process today after work. Great people on this board! :rocker
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MechaGodzilla
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First things first; I was really glad that I made my purchase from someone with a local presence because this is what I found when I opened up one of the boxes:

Posted Image

Having never worked on an axle before, I was slightly panicked by the damage. I looked up the part on the Advance Auto website and checked availability of inventory at stores near me. They had one in stock 6 mi from my house so I ran down there. I didn't realize that the bent bit was just a dust shield for the ABS sensor. Since my Metro is non-ABS it wouldn't make any difference, but the store clerk replaced it anyway. Apparently this type of damage is not uncommon with GSP- the axles are not packaged all that well from the factory.

The second (inexperience) "issue" I ran into was the question of spindle washers. I thought I needed to replace them, so I ordered a box and they didn't fit the new axles. What I didn't know was that you don't actually use a washer with the (different from stock) nut that ships with these axles. I guess I should have figured it out by looking at the washer-attached-to-nut shape. Anyway, I got a refund for them without any problem. I believe that Advance policy is 90 day return guarantee for any reason, so you can order everything that you may need and return the stuff that you don't. :thumb

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Deleted User
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Very nice axles. You did your homework, and it will pay off in the long run.

The ABS dust shield and sensor ring will tap off if you're not interested in having them on your installation.

I'm pretty sure that Mythstae mentioned the OEM v. Aftermarket WTF axle clips. She will if she hasn't. The WTF axle clips make the transmission like a Roach Hotel. The axle goes in, but doesn't come out.
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MechaGodzilla
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So here's how it went-

At 4 pm pdqrunner showed up at my place with a ton of wrenches/sockets. Bitter cold out, but not too bad in the (unheated) garage- big sheets of scrap cardboard work great to insulate you against cold concrete! We decided to try the "quick" axle swap method described starting with post #8 in this thread.

We started on the driver side and by the time I had drained the transmission, he already pretty much had everything apart. 3 bolts and the brake line clip out in a flash. Axle popped out easily with a screwdriver. Hard to see in the photo but the outside boot was ripped all the way around and the rubber of the inside boot was deteriorating badly.

Posted Image

We swapped the cruddy new c-clip with the original one from the stock axle. Thanks for the tip, Mythstae! Look halfway down the page for CV pics.

Installed and back on the ground in 30 minutes.
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MechaGodzilla
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Passenger side- same process, same result.

Posted Image

You can see the ripped boot in this picture. I think the thing in the middle of the old axle is some sort of balancer or something. Anyway, another half hour and the Metro is back on the ground. Refill the transmission, take a test drive, and pack up pdqrunner's gear = 1.5 hours out the door. Seriously- if the guy ever needs a new gig he could run a NASCAR pit crew! Thanks a million, man! Hope I can help you out with something down the road.

No more clicky click on the corners! :rocker
Edited by MechaGodzilla, Dec 11 2013, 07:49 PM.
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