Who do you recommend for remanufactured or aftermarket CV axles?

[keaunym]

One of my '09 S60's axles needs to be replaced and I'm looking to do this myself. Besides Volvo, what company makes good quality stuff and that you recommend?

[mrbrian200]

Conventional wisdom seems to be Volvo OE for these. Or maybe Raxles. I've never used them but they're regarded highly within certain would be knowledgeable circles. Some say you're better off sending off your existing ones to a quality rebuilder. Somebody else would need to key in with that short list.

Napa used to be my go to for CV axles. Maybe for a humdrum old 95hp Saturn or Taurus they'd be acceptable. But the two I put on my '06 2.5t were no good. New (not reman)... Inner joints get excessive slop/vibration if you drive fun-like/peel out WOT from a stop with traction off. Just once will do it, I found. Tried exchanging one. The replacement: outer I wasn't sure felt like it had grease, put it on. Probably right it was ticky/noisy from day one, particularly in slow rolling stop-and-go (heat from brakes).
Their prices less than half what I remember some years back. Now they're same price as AZ, about same not so quality. Or at least, not up to a task for sport/performance.

[keaunym]

I emailed Raxles for a quote and they replied they do not have for my vehicle. RockAuto has Cardone Select. Are these any good?

[keaunym]

To clarify, I emailed Raxles back staying if this is a current availability issue, I may be able to wait until some OEM axles come in to reman.. They said they pretty much don't do Volvo period.

[mrbrian200]

Don't know specifically about cardone. Majority of the ≤$150 axles here in the states come from the same company/same sourced parts (probably china) that aren't high enough grade steel or not heat treated properly for sport/HP. Dana doesn't make axle shaft parts that fit Volvos. If they did we be pretty well set with properly graded parts and companies like Raxles would with all certainty do these. I was looking into this earlier this year and had somewhat concluded the only way to be sure I was getting something proper would be a new OE assembly, or shafts shipped from Europe (they have better access to OE suppliers over there).

[mrbrian200]

The OE inner joint rarely fails over the life of the car unless the boot splits. The outer joint is made by SKF (can be purchased separate) same situation. On RH side the most common trouble spot is the carrier bearing (was the problem on mine). LH shaft on mine was aftermarket that had twisted inside the hub (soft steel). Both sides had been spun out (likely PO trying to climb out over snow/ice dam parallel parked on a Chicago residential street). City of Chicago doesn't clear snow on residential side streets they just push it out of center into a pile running along the parked cars, which partially melts and refreezes into a wall of solid ice I've seen countless people who don't know not to spin the wheels fast with the steering cranked chew up tires and axle shafts over the years.
I still have the OE RH shaft. It's inner joint was fine, needs new outer and a carrier bearing which can be changed with a press. Thinking I'll end up scrounging the pick n pull lots for a used LH OE shaft with a good inner and go from there.

[Tonyx]

Every once in a while used OE axles are available for sale on craigslist. Here is one example. He was selling both sides and I bought the RH side for my use.

https://detroit.craigslist.org/okl/pts/5900536121.html

[JDS60R]

Because raxles has been out I was forced to find a new supply for customers. Oreilly has a "Import select" brand. 2 years now with no comebacks.

[vtl]

After many miles struggling with Chinese new axles or USA Industries I bought a new (reman) OE axle and it's all good now.

If you have to replace boots, Don't put any "high quality"/"heavy duty" moly CV grease in CV joints, it will it eat in no time! Buy GKN kit, it has the right grease in it. Ask me how I know...

[keaunym]

Vtl, who did you buy the reman OE axles from?