ChrisMan287

iTrader: (34)

Alright so, I need to change my driverside axle due to a split outer boot that's been busted for some time and a vibration on acceleration. I really want to spend the extra money for a quality piece aka Raxle but I've been hearing some bad things about vibrations and that they "suck".

So who has Raxles and who has issues? How many miles on yours? Auto or manual? LSD or not? ABS or not?

slfalco

99 manual ABS no LSD... Using replacement Raxles on both sides...
Driver's side 111K miles, passenger side 50K miles, no issues whatsoever.

ATTappman

40,000 miles on both driver and passenger side. No issues. They don't vibrate. They don't suck. Auto, non-LSD, no ABS.

VisciousMo

iTrader: (4)

NON LSD, ABS, Raxles with over 100k miles. I've re-booted them twice but no vibration or anything at my height.

ShocknAwe

iTrader: (3)

Not exactly sure the mileage on mine but probably around 10k. Non ABS, non LSD and A/T. Never had an issue and I could almost swear they perform better at full lock than my OEM ones did. If someone has had an issue then I can almost guarantee it was a bad install job. Obviously ever product has a few bad apples, just part of the manufacturing process, but the difference is Marty will take care of you if you happen to have a problem. Sure you can get the NAPA axles for cheaper and just replace them when they go bad but I don't know about you, I dont like to do extra work. For you dude, since you are lowered so much I would def go with Raxles

ChrisMan287

iTrader: (34)

I don't doubt their quality at all but I can think of three people with vibrations.

One said they came after 3-4 months, another said immediately and not sure when with the other guy (I'll have to ask). I just don't want to be out the money. These things aren't cheap as we all know. I don't mind paying the premium because of the quality but I know if I get a bad one I'm going to be livid.

Trans4ma

95 auto, non LSD with ABS.
Have had them installed since May, no vibrations. About 500 miles so far, don't have any problems.

ChrisMan287

iTrader: (34)

Did you install both or just one? I'm wondering if that can be an issue.

98SEBlackMax

iTrader: (9)

I've had the same set of Raxles since 2006, ABS and open diff. Then rebuilt the trans in 2010 with a Quaife diff. The car was only lowered about 1.5" less than stock with Eibach springs and since '09 it sits about 1" lower with my custom GC/Koni setup.

I put about 40,000 miles on them since '06, a good 2000~3000 of those miles were on road courses and auto-Xs. 0 problems with the Raxles and no vibrations.

Trans4ma

Installed them both at the same time. Like you I had split boots on both sides for a long time. Marty was great to deal with, answered all my questions.

Each side has it's own pain in the installation process. Good luck!

ChrisMan287

iTrader: (34)

I'm not too worried about the install. I'll be doing it on a lift with air tools

But I'm noticing that the folks with no issues installed BOTH at the same time (except for slfalco it seems). I ain't got the cash for that

ShocknAwe

iTrader: (3)

Yea I did both, I don't know why anybody would do one at a time....

ChrisMan287

iTrader: (34)

I don't have the money and my passenger side axle's perfectly fine.

VQ'rInWLA

iTrader: (83)

Subbed since Im going raxles very soon. Ive got a set of reman cardones and theyve got a bad vibration on acceleration especially turns.

ShocknAwe

iTrader: (3)

You should just find a good rebuilder and rebuild both and be done with it

ChrisMan287

iTrader: (34)

I was actually looking at those Glad I didn't get reeled in by their price.

No rebuilders round here.

VQ'rInWLA

iTrader: (83)

Yeah dont do em. Bad respline job. Got WAY fucckin worse since I went lower two weeks ago

ChrisMan287

iTrader: (34)

I can imagine.. I was gonna go with them if I didn't go with Raxles Thanks for the heads up brotha.

VQ'rInWLA

iTrader: (83)

VQ'rInWLA

iTrader: (83)

Either way Im getting em soon so if I get em in first, Ill chime in.

Shift_A32B

iTrader: (14)

Subscribed. I am going lower next year so I need some good axles as well. For now, the NAPA axles have been good with my Tein S-tech. Just some minor clicks on cold start ups (only on L/R turns) only but no vibrations.

ShocknAwe

iTrader: (3)

well if you want to ship em my way I can have em done for you. Don't know how much he charges but its a business and all he does. He sells em back to companies that sell through the auto parts stores

ChrisMan287

iTrader: (34)

Keep me posted. I'm just waiting on some more people to chime in and then I'll order.

Surprisingly, I have no clicking. Just the torn outer boot (CV probably has little to no grease left by now) and this vibration which only happened a bit after the boot tore.

I don't want down time like that but thanks.

ShocknAwe

iTrader: (3)

Then I will sell you my old OEM axels, both, for like $50 and that way you have 0 down time

ChrisMan287

iTrader: (34)

Find out how much the rebuild would be then get back to me.

ShocknAwe

iTrader: (3)

Ok. Plan was to just sell the guy my axels anyways so if it would help a member out then why not plus they are already here

ChrisMan287

iTrader: (34)

True that. Also figure out what's being done to the axles.

JtzMax

iTrader: (5)

I had to do mine one at a time due to $$$$$ .... sucks to have to do that, but ... sometimes ya gotta.

That was my prob Chris ...

To give you an idea, both of my axles are Raxles and I had to chat with Marty the other day. My ds is bad, inner joint I think, but the boots are fine. I couldn't remember when I had bought my ds axle ..... it was 4 1/2 years ago and I have put around 95k or so on it. Ps is less miles, maybe 65k. No problem with the ps, only ds. They do cost a premium but with a lifetime warranty, can you really go wrong?

So, to summarize :::

5 mt
Non ABS
Open diff
DS Raxle axle ~ 95k --- just going bad but Marty took care of it, getting it swapped for a new one - no charge! I pay shipping, that's it.
PS Raxle axle ~65k

ChrisMan287

iTrader: (34)

That sure is good to hear that there are a few folks here with high mileage on their Raxles. I definitely think I'm going to go with them.

Question for you; Did you have to pay shipping both ways or just shipping for you then a return label is provided?

JtzMax

iTrader: (5)

Chris ... I had to pay shipping both ways on my exchange so I'm guessing he factors that into the cost of the original sale at that time too. It's been a couple of years since I bought one so ... it's my best guess that he doesn't cover shipping, we do.

ChrisMan287

iTrader: (34)

Damn so $70? Meh.. not bad I guess.

I've got enough dough for both. Should I just replace both? I thought the passenger side was fine but on moderate left turns I'm getting a weird noise from that side (only happens on moderate left turns, more so with more people in the car).

dwapenyi

iTrader: (3)

The thing with axles is that its about the part AND the installation. Because Raxles sells u the axle, its up to you to get a decent installer.

I'm in the NY area and I've come across ALOT of crappy mechanics. Now I just spend the money on good, well regarded mechanics and be done with it.

For example, djfrestyle installed my H&Rs and KYBs.

Quality parts. Quality installer. DONE. No issues. No hastles. DONE.

Spending more on a good install actually saves you money in the long run.

DW

ChrisMan287

iTrader: (34)

I completely agree but I'll be doing to install myself on a lift with air tools. I should be fine

Rob_0126

so raxles are the premium ones for our cars then?

ChrisMan287

iTrader: (34)

Question for people who have done this themselves:

I know for the driver side I don't have to disconnect the outer tie rod and ball joint but is it necessary to do so on the passenger side?

Absolutely.

ShocknAwe

iTrader: (3)

I did both control arms at the same time but the tie rod isnt hard to take off anyways. It will be easier to take them off so you can swing the hub/rotor whatever you want to call it out of the way. If you run into trouble just hollar at me. It will take you 2+hrs for both sides so keep that in mind. If you are worried about alignment and thats why you dont want to take it off then just count how many turns it takes to come off and that will ballpark it

ShocknAwe

iTrader: (3)

lol if anybody says otherwise then they dont have em'. Very few parts are a better choice over OEM but this is one of them

ChrisMan287

iTrader: (34)

I just don't want to tear them up in the process lol I've got an alignment rack there so I'm not worried about that.

How about the seals? Necessary to change?

ShocknAwe

iTrader: (3)

Seals on the transmission? Whenever I can get access to something I normally dont have I do it. Thats why I did the CA's at the same time. Just made it easier. I tore up my brand new end links in the process. Its a funny job. Find all sorts of other problems you have Plus now I almost need to outer tie rod ends as well but those are still OEM so its expected

wxm

iTrader: (2)

95 auto abs.
Replaced my driver side original with raxle about a half year ago. No issue at all. Very pleased with it. During the installation, I had chance to have a new advance auto and raxle next to each other, the quality is totally different just by look and feel. Grabbed the raxle put it in and returned the advance auto and never looked back.