Recent work axle/trans Topic is solved

[aahmes57]

i got the first one at auto zone. China I guess. I'm not sure who made the second one. It is stamped the correct part # for my transmission. I will check the transmission with a light again but As I mentioned the old one (clip off) slides in and out no problem. The length is also correct. They look identical. I do have the ring on the end. It didn't come off in the trans. If this new one I got doesn't fit up I will rebuild the old one and send that one back. I just rebuild the front end, struts,sway bars, tierod ends, control arms, even a brake hose, no problems, but this darn axle has me down for over a week.
I don't get it, if they are going through the trouble to make these parts why not make them the right way to fit.

Thanks for your help guys.

[erikv11]

Yeah OK sounds like bad axle(s). The aftermarket axles are terribly inconsistent in all ways - quality and fitment. We've been posting this for several years now but it is hard to accept given how cheap the shiny new aftermarket axles are: Best bet by far is always to re-boot a factory-made, 20 year old axle. Find one without slop in the CV joints and it will easily go to 300k.

LOL on your last point. There's a reason those axles are so cheap, and it isn't because the manufacturers decided to do consumers a favor ... "If I make this look like a real axle, it will sell. Who cares how it works!"

[aahmes57]

I've done several of these on both side but I have never had so much trouble.
I finally got the new one in. So between my time and 2 axles I could have bought the $500
axle that may have fit right in. O well. At least I got it in. Total $141 plus the seal.Now for some new tires.
What I did was once I got it in enough to turn the wheel (other side off the ground) I just tapped it with a rubber
hammer lightly while feeling the axle move in with my fingers near the seal, once I knocked the clip passed the first groove it slid in until it caught. Hope it doesn't pop out.

Thanks for your comments.

John