CV Axle Replacement.

[FriedRiceBob]

I guess I'll start off with my carinfo:
93' ATX. Purchased from my father. ~108,000mi.

Its time for me to get my driver's side CV replaced and I have a couple questions.
Most places around here are quoting me ~$100 for the axle and ~$50 for labor to put it in.
My question is this: should I let them get the axle themselves (they all say the axles they get have lifetime waranty), or should I try to find it cheaper via this great internet and just have them put it in (I would do it myself, but doubt my skills as a "mechanic").
A couple places i found on the internet include

www.raxles.com -seems like a nice site, missed their open hours so I do not know how much from them
www.cvaxles.com -quoting $55 internet special for all front wheel drive cv axles

I am in North-East Mississippi (starkville to be exact), so if you know any good shops here, tell me.
Thank you in advance for any replies.
FriedRiceBob

P.S. when I was calling around my first question was "are you familiar with the Ford Taurus SHO?"
I got one "yeah" with some evidence (like knowing that it was a DOHC at least) and the others said something to the effect that it shouldnt be any different. which it might not be, but i feel more comfortable with the guy who at least knew the car existed.

<small>[ February 05, 2003, 07:56 PM: Message edited by: FriedRiceBob ]</small>

 

[Blue-By-U]

Bob
Brand new at Autozone the whole halfshaft with cv boots and warranty (not sure on duration) is about $70 bucks. If you have any experience at all and want to try to do it yourself, check this out: Axle replacement
It is for abs indicator rings but still gives you a step by step instruction so you feel more comfortable.
Also, check out ebay. There are always parts flying around there. If you can't find yours, find someone who is selling items off your similar car and use the "ask seller a question" feature to see if they have your axle.

Hope this helps and good luck...I'm doing my halfshaft this saturday! thumbs_u
~Alex

 

[rangerj]

FRIEDRICEBOB,

RAXELS has an excelent reputation for quality axels, including the SHO. Go to fordpartsonline and look up the axels for your model year Taurus. If the axels are different for the SHO they will be listed as a different part number!

If you can get the axel installed for $50, that is reasonable for the job. rangerj

 

[DavidT]

there is a guy who runs a little garage in my area. He charged me $35 labor to replace both axels boink

 

[qiksho]

From my cv axle endeavors and experience I would say let them do all of it...

I paid to have one installed...I think I paid around $150 total...and then I installed one myself. I had rebuilt ones put in with warranty, they needed the old one for a core.

The one I put in myself...the damn thing was shot, after 300 miles my car shook very,very violently, so I had to take it out ...and they gave me another...sincee then all has been well thumbs_u

 

[FriedRiceBob]

Thanks for your replys thus far.
after getting more information, it seems that from Raxles.com, each side is 119 + shipping (15-20 bux).
are the raxles axles (say that ten times fast) far superior to one found at Autozone, NAPA, ETC.?
also, if i do decide to do this myself (with the help of a friend who is a bit more mechanicaly inclined) what more am i going to need besides the actual axle and the tools?

 

[LaTechSHO]

its actually a really easy procedure.....

i have A-1/Cardone rebuilt axles on mine and no problems.... i got mine for $40 a piece with exchange of the old ones (then again i work at a parts store).....

you will need a 30mm deep socket for the axle nut....someone back me up on the 30mm, i think thats what i used....

i had both of them done on my car in about an hour start to finish....


Louis

 

[rangerj]

Fried ricebob,

As IBsho said you need the socket for the Ford axel nut, 32mm or 30mm, I can't remember the size either. You will need two new axel nuts, two new pinch bolts and two new nuts for the pinch bolts.
All the nuts mentioned are locknuts (not IBSHO)and must be replaced. (they only work once)

If the axels do not come with ABS sensor rings, you may need two new sensor rings, if you break them trying to transfer them. Make sure that the outter CV joint has a seal ring. This keeps crap out of the back side of the bearing.

DO NOT PULL BOTH AXELS AT THE SAME TIME. DO ONE AXEL AT A TIME.

Before you pull an axel check the seal where the axel comes out of the transmission. If there is any sign of a leak, "you may as well" replace the seals.

If I remember correctly, I think it is recmended that the speed sensor be removed befor the axel is pulled on the passanger side. Check the service manual to be sure. Anybody done this recently?

Check the wheel bearings. If the hub feels "wabbly" in the bearing, or the bearing grinds or otherwise sounds dry, "you may as well" change the bearings.

Check the ball joints and lower control arm bushings. You guessed it! Hope this helps, rangerj

 

[93EmeraldMTX]

putting a new axle is isnt that bad at all.

I got mine for 65 bucks since i have a discount at carquest.

 

[shojuan]

FriedRiceBob:
Thanks for your replys thus far.
after getting more information, it seems that from Raxles.com, each side is 119 + shipping (15-20 bux).
are the raxles axles (say that ten times fast) far superior to one found at Autozone, NAPA, ETC.?
also, if i do decide to do this myself (with the help of a friend who is a bit more mechanicaly inclined) what more am i going to need besides the actual axle and the tools?

Yeah they're better. They won't fail on you after 300 miles. Unless you need extra heavy duty (and extra $$$$expensive$$$$) oversized axles for a nitrous 1/4 mile SHO they'll be the last axle you ever have to put in your SHO. Unlike the NAPA or Autozone axle you'll get brand new outer joints and they'll pack them with high quality synthetic grease.

My local Toyota dealer used to supply axles from a typical rebuilder (like the ones used by Autzone, NAPA, etc.). Last time I called them to get prices they told me they stopped selling rebuilds because they were having too many problems. That meant buying a $350 new axle. For a third the cost the Raxles product is better than one of those new axles.

If you want a cheap part, get the Autozone axle. If you want a good part, get a Raxles axle.

And yes, the hub nut is 30mm. You'll need a 30mm socket. You'll also need a breaker bar for removing the hub nut and a torque wrench for tightening the new one. You'll need an Oetiker style band clamp crimper too. And either rent a ball joint puller or use a really long prybar to separate the hub and control arm assembly.