What non-OEM axles are any good?

[gmh]

An old post by cn90 mentions a GKN boot made for VW/Audi that works for the inner:

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=29716&p=361028&hili ... ot#p361028

[erikv11]

For inner CV boot use GKN 300597. It was figured out by Northernlights and posted here viewtopic.php?p=332235. I've done at least 6 inner boots with this part, turbo and non-turbo alike.

After the Northernlights post the axle boot posts on MVS exploded and the same stuff was posted over and over and over with speculations and potential caveats etc, more confusing than helpful. Read the original post, it's right it's clear to read and it works.

[Eddystone]

It is concerning that FCP no longer have the inner boots.

Neil.

Neil,

I am becoming concerned that there is less demand as these cars become older and less numerous. I have noted FCP having clearance sales, and while most of these are high dollar OEM Volvo parts that people do not buy do to the expense, some of the clearance items are more commonly purchased things.

Another oddity I noticed yesterday was that for the Canister Purge Valve at the end of the EVAP system, FCP has it for sale for $166 while actual VOLVO DEALERS are offering it at $84 (same OEM Volovo part).

So, prices and availability are going through some sort of sea change, I think. As noted above, in the two areas where I have lived in the past year, P80s are not being held in junkyards and are going right to the crusher.

Part of the reason I own two P80s is that parts for my 940 Turbo wagon were beginning to get scarce. Fortunately, nothing much breaks on that.

I recently looked at a 2005 V70 T5 for only $1200. It had 266k miles on it, but I was tempted because the interior and exterior were in great shape. It had some issues but basically fixable. I balked because this car had just way too many computers and fancy geegaw features on it that looked like a constant headache.

[scot850]

It is an issue of parts and breakers not buying the cars as they are too old or just not out there anymore. Our local one has an 850 wagon and 2 98 S70's but they have been there for a while. 740/760/940/960 are usually rocking horse poo in terms of turning up in the yards.

Yes parts can't last forever, and it can only be long term viable by having stocks of the basics and stashes of the less common but expensive parts. I have a reasonable stash of OE used parts for the rear of my P80 AWD 'R' as they are hard to find used or new.

Believe it or not the hardest part to find for a P80 AWD is the 'C' clips that hold the parking brake cable to the rear dust shield. That has been NLA for about 6 years. Part is used on various Volvos prior to 2000 including RWD. I pill those if an AWD ever comes into the PnP's for that reason. I did find 19 in Australia 6 years ago with the help of Volvo in Sweden. I did try to find someone to make a batch as I have 2 brand new ones bought for that purpose, but the people I have found did not seem interested even when they make similar parts for 95- Dodge trucks and mid 50's to 60's Chev cars.

Ijust noted your comment on the T5 v's Porsche 928. Having owned both the T5 is a better all around car, but not as fast or as good handling to the 928 S4 I had. Fuel consumption is better on the T5!

It is now becoming more important to have those guys around who don't like to be beaten and look for alternates. It is amazing like the axle boots how other manufacturers have the same parts. Even Volvo can have the same or similar parts that have different part numbers like the rear front door window guides. 850 and V/S 70 are the same parts. Only difference it one has a bolt at the bottom while the other uses a rivet.

Windshield washer from a P2 work better than a V/S70 but can be swapped over.

Neil.

[erikv11]

AutoHausAZ or Eeuroparts for the GKN 300597. FCP has never carried it.

[FireFox31]

On my 2002 Mercedes, I used an Empire front axle from Rock Auto. It was a little shorter than the OEM axle, but it worked fine for around eight years. The boot split and now it has a slight vibration from dirt ruining it.

If you get an aftermarket axle, consider getting the good boots and replacing them before install. Also from my Benz, the recommendation was to add a little more grease to the CV joint since the aftermarket manufacturers might skimp on that. Don't add a ton though. I added some grease (but didn't swap my boot) and it worked great for many years.

[clarkerussell]

For inner CV boot use GKN 300597. It was figured out by Northernlights and posted here viewtopic.php?p=332235. I've done at least 6 inner boots with this part, turbo and non-turbo alike.

After the Northernlights post the axle boot posts on MVS exploded and the same stuff was posted over and over and over with speculations and potential caveats etc, more confusing than helpful. Read the original post, it's right it's clear to read and it works.

So for the Turbo, does the 22mm inner boot of the Audi part (GKN 300597) just stretch around the larger 24mm shaft, or are there no good GNK numbers for the inner boot on the Turbo and you just have to go Volvo?

[erikv11]

For inner CV boot use GKN 300597. It was figured out by Northernlights and posted here viewtopic.php?p=332235. I've done at least 6 inner boots with this part, turbo and non-turbo alike.

After the Northernlights post the axle boot posts on MVS exploded and the same stuff was posted over and over and over with speculations and potential caveats etc, more confusing than helpful. Read the original post, it's right it's clear to read and it works.

So for the Turbo, does the 22mm inner boot of the Audi part (GKN 300597) just stretch around the larger 24mm shaft, or are there no good GNK numbers for the inner boot on the Turbo and you just have to go Volvo?

I have replaced the inner boot on turbo axles with GKN 300597. Like you surmised, the boot stretches fine over the 24 mm shaft. Most longevity I can report on is one currently sitting at 4 years and 30k miles and looks good, I just saw it a couple days ago when changing the oil.

[clarkerussell]

OK, so I picked up two axles from a junk yard today that showed compatible with my car. They were from a 1995 850 Turbo and, unfortunately, the inner boots were both slightly torn. I think it happened during removal or storage on the rack as there is little grease anywhere other than the hole... For $20 each I took them home...

When I got home I measured and the outer join was 98mm and the inner was 90mm on both. The connecting shaft measured nearly 29mm... WAY bigger than my the 24mm shafts from my old RAxle one for a S70 Turbo... What the heck?

[clarkerussell]

Any thoughts on these odd-ball axles with the 29mm shafts?