850 base easy axle decision

Post by **JimBee** » 22 Apr 2017, 21:57

I have the boots and was preparing to reboot the passenger side axle after discovering that the outer boot had completely split some time ago. The car hadn't been driven all winter though and the CV wasn't noisy. The car has about 185k miles on it and that axle is the original so I wanted to keep it going. I had thought about replacing the carrier bearing and located one locally that would probably work (3mm narrower but other dimensions right on). The bearing price is $45.00 When I pulled the axle yesterday, replacing the carrier bearing was no longer an option, it is shot—not loose but dry and very noisy even turning it by hand.

Today, I was at NAPA AP and out of curiosity I looked into an axle. Reman's are $57 and new $85. Looking at the new one for $85, seems well made, hefty, must weight 45 pounds, like the OE one I removed, lifetime warranty I didn't need to think much about it, that new one will be going in as soon as I pick up a new seal on Monday. The seal wasn't leaking but with 180k miles on it, I suppose it will eventually. It's not an expensive part.

The hardest bolt to remove was the sway bar link at the strut. Never had that one off before and I'd forgotten that the shoulder of the OE lug on the back side has 2 flat edges that you can get an open end wrench on. Not remembering that, I was able to get a vice grip on the shoulder with enough bite to hold it while I unscrewed the nut which came hard all the way. amazingly, both joints of the link are still tight so that will stay in service a bit longer.

Post by **erikv11** » 23 Apr 2017, 00:27

The axle from NAPA will not last very long.

Post by **JimBee** » 23 Apr 2017, 05:36

We'll see. I don't put high miles on any of my 3 850's and, hey, it's lifetime warranteed.

Post by **cuhfs** » 23 Apr 2017, 06:03

is it lifetime warranteed even if it is done as a DIY or only by a shop?

Post by **BEJinFbk** » 23 Apr 2017, 10:14

I'd hang on to that OEM axle...

Post by **JimBee** » 23 Apr 2017, 20:03

BEJinFbk wrote: 23 Apr 2017, 10:14 I'd hang on to that OEM axle...

I have decided to hang on to it. I also have a 93 850 manual 5 speed that might need a right side axle some day. Maybe then I'll reboot it and replace the bearing.