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EMPI Axles

Help, Advice and DIY Tutorials on Volvo's P80 platform cars -- Volvo's 1990s "bread and butter" cars -- powered by the ubiquitous and durable Volvo inline 5-cylinder engine.

1992 - 1997 850, including 850 R, 850 T-5R, 850 T-5, 850 GLT
1997 - 2000 S70, S70 AWD
1997 - 2000 V70, V70 AWD
1997 - 2000 V70-XC
1997 - 2004 C70

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turbotim2
Posts: 708
Joined: 4 February 2005
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Location: Maine

EMPI Axles

Post by turbotim2 »

Has anyone used these, and if so, what is your opinion? I used the DSS axles the last time around and got 25k miles out of the right one, though the boot lasted only about 20k. The left one will be gone soon as well I fear.
2004 XC70

2005 S60 2.5T AWD (gone)

1996 850 GLT Wagon in Blue (gone)

1996 850 GLT Wagon in Green (gone)

Ozark Lee
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Post by Ozark Lee »

I have a set and they seem to be lasting OK but I have a vibration under acceleration. I'm not so sure it is the axles themselves and not bad motor mounts but the problem cropped up when I replaced the axles.

If you want to buy axles and be done with it spend a little extra and buy the Raxles. I have never heard of a single complaint from anyone who ever bought them.

...Lee
'94 850 N/A 5 speed
'96 Platinum Edition Turbo
Previous:
1999 V70XC - Nautic Blue - Totaled while parked.
1999 V70XC - RIP - Wrecked Parts Car.
1998 S70 T5
1996 850 N/A
1989 740 GLT
1986 740 GLT
1972 142 Grand Luxe

tjts1
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Post by tjts1 »

The previous owner of my car put an EMPI axle on the driver's side. Eventually the rubber boot tore and I drove with it like that for over a year. I was going to replace to axle but seeing how well it help up to that abuse I decided to replace the boot instead. EMPI axles are larger at both ends so regular volvo boots don't fit. I had to use 2 rubber boot kits on this axle. I'm very happy with it. Whatever you decide do NOT under any circumstance buy Chinese axles.
Ambitious but rubbish

turbotim2
Posts: 708
Joined: 4 February 2005
Year and Model:
Location: Maine

Post by turbotim2 »

Thanks for the responses. I won't buy chinese ever if I can help but sometimes you can't tell until they show up at your door. Where are the EMPI made? How long did the boot last before it tore? Thanks.
2004 XC70

2005 S60 2.5T AWD (gone)

1996 850 GLT Wagon in Blue (gone)

1996 850 GLT Wagon in Green (gone)

confused_al
Posts: 1025
Joined: 4 August 2008
Year and Model: 1996 TLA wagon
Location: NJ

Post by confused_al »

turbotim2 wrote:Where are the EMPI made?
I think thats made in china as well. Lee, would you confirm this?

Edit: Called them, confirmed.
http://www.empius.com/2008_driveaxles/contactempi.php
96 850 Platinum Wagon
98 MB ML320
06 V70
95 850 GLT(RIP)

turbotim2
Posts: 708
Joined: 4 February 2005
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Location: Maine

Post by turbotim2 »

You mean confirmed they are made in china?
2004 XC70

2005 S60 2.5T AWD (gone)

1996 850 GLT Wagon in Blue (gone)

1996 850 GLT Wagon in Green (gone)

FCPEURO
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Post by FCPEURO »

A lot of parts are made in China today. Also, it seems like what is not made in China is now being made in India. Even the Volvo factory parts for our cars are made in China or India.

As for the EMPI axles, they are very good. I have one on my drive side right now without any issues.
Last edited by FCPEURO on 12 Oct 2009, 11:04, edited 1 time in total.

confused_al
Posts: 1025
Joined: 4 August 2008
Year and Model: 1996 TLA wagon
Location: NJ

Post by confused_al »

Yes! They are made in china.
But quality sometimes has little to do w/ where they were made, rather what they put into their products. For example, my son paid $200 for his ipod, me, bought a $35 scandisk mp3 player. Mine worked for a month, now all kinds of problems crap out (dont want admit it belongs to the trash can now) . With all the abuses beyond my imaginations, my son's ipod still works like the day he bought it. Well, they both are "made in china"...
I dont know anything about EMPI axles, but I do know ScanTech, wherever they are made = Sh%#t!
96 850 Platinum Wagon
98 MB ML320
06 V70
95 850 GLT(RIP)

turbotim2
Posts: 708
Joined: 4 February 2005
Year and Model:
Location: Maine

Post by turbotim2 »

I know a lot of parts are made in China these days. And I bet some of them are probably very good parts. But this really goes beyond a quality/price discussion for me, it is more of a moral issue. I know, I have issues. I will look into the raxles.
2004 XC70

2005 S60 2.5T AWD (gone)

1996 850 GLT Wagon in Blue (gone)

1996 850 GLT Wagon in Green (gone)

confused_al
Posts: 1025
Joined: 4 August 2008
Year and Model: 1996 TLA wagon
Location: NJ

Post by confused_al »

turbotim2 wrote:I will look into the raxles.
Good choice! They are only half as much than Volvo re-manufactured.
96 850 Platinum Wagon
98 MB ML320
06 V70
95 850 GLT(RIP)

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