Anyone know where to get a decent CV axle (halfshaft)?

[scubacat]

I'm on my third attempt and it's grinding and clicking again. First was a rebuilt from autozone, second a NEW from oreilly, now a rebuilt from oreilly.

Where do you all get replacement CV axles from that actually work and aren't cheap chinese-made garbage??

[Grabber5.0]

From low-mileage wrecked vans. It is frustrating to not be able to get good replacement parts. How much more (gobs I'm sure) do they cost from the dealer?

[scubacat]

Oh, about 7x more. $58 at oreilly/autozone, $350+ dealer.

[Grabber5.0]

Yikes!

[tempfixit]

http://detroitaxle.com/shop/front-pa...shaft-abs-137/

http://detroitaxle.com/

Worth checking out.

[12Ounce]

I've had good luck with AutoZone, for the few that I've replaced. Escorts. None on the 350K mile Windstar, so far. Aren't they warrantied "for Life" from AutoZone?

[scubacat]

Yeah, warrantied for life. Problem is, "life" on these runs about 3 months before major grinding/clicking begins and steadily gets worse. I'd rather not wait until the inner joint breaks off when I'm no where near the house.

[DeltaP]

I've had 100 % success with A1 Cardone and EMPI. I buy 'em local but Auto Parts Warehouse has 'em new for $87 & $72 depending on right or left. Make sure you specify new as both companies also make remans for considerably less. Ships same day and free shipping over $50. They all have a limited lifetime warranty.

[scubacat]

Originally Posted by tempfixit

http://detroitaxle.com/shop/front-pa...shaft-abs-137/

Worth checking out.

I need one for a 2002 (different for 01-03 than 95-00) but otherwise I'd definitely give them a call.

I called raxles.com; they don't have it. Called Ford dealers; they don't make them anymore. So I figure I'm down to 2 options: junkyard or another rebuild (or new from cardone or something like that).

I dropped by o'reilly this morning and they ordered me one rebuild and one new (both cardone brand - repackaged as "master pro" but they're cardone). They should both be in by tomorrow or Thursday. I'll try them this Saturday and will post back the results.

*fingers crossed*

[Grabber5.0]

Good luck!

[scubacat]

Update - installed a NEW "Master Pro" CV axle from O'Reilly a few days ago (it's a Cardone axle with a different name on the box). So far so good! The inner boot is slightly smaller than factory and I don't have any kind of inkling as to how long this one will hold up vs. OEM, but no clicking or noises at all so far and it snapped in just fine (after about 100 attempts. I'll get the hang of that one of these days!)

Thanks for the suggestions and happy new year to all!

[kevink1955]

Changed 1 about a year ago replaced a 124,000 mile original that had nothing wrong except the tone ring for the ABS cracked. It's now leaking from a cracked boot.

Will be ordering a new tone ring and reinstalling the original soon

[DJ Turbo]

RockAuto

[parkerb]

Originally Posted by kevink1955

Changed 1 about a year ago replaced a 124,000 mile original that had nothing wrong except the tone ring for the ABS cracked. It's now leaking from a cracked boot.

Will be ordering a new tone ring and reinstalling the original soon

where did this one (that's now leaking/ cracked boot) come from kevink?

BTW my suggestion was raxle but if they don't have it... that sucks. i thought they sourced [maybe a ford part], put amsoil in it, and resold it. i have them on my '00 for the past 70k miles.

[scubacat]

Well, my new axle made a couple of very light ticking noises on a right turn this morning (where it would be under load). Going to try an EMPI brand one and then hit junkyards to find a good OEM one if that doesn't work out. What a pain.