Got me a busted halfshaft

[JoeHoe_SHO]

Figures...I've been through my share of these w/the 4 Taurus's I've owned in the last 3 years. I'm having the whole driver side shaft replaced. That should take car of the nasty clunk I've been getting when I turn. I never got a chance to really look under there to see what the deal is, due to my work week(4pm-4am, rest sleepy time) then the weekends are booked w/family/g/f events. Yesterday I changed my oil and felt some wobble wobble in the shaft, got new tires today and made sure w/mechanic that I could use a driver side whole shaft.

Someday I'll get to my 60K... cry

 

[sdpatt]

Why are you going through so many halfshafs? My car is still on its original halfshafts and CV joints (knock knock). Were the boots torn at some point? Lots of drop clutch starts?

 

[shojuan]

sdpatt:
Why are you going through so many halfshafs? My car is still on its original halfshafts and CV joints (knock knock). Were the boots torn at some point? Lots of drop clutch starts?

Four used tauruses and probably 4 (or more!) crappy rebuilt NAPA or equally low quality halfshafts.

It's unusual to have a halfshaft last as long as yours Scott unless you managed to replace the torn boots immediately and repack with quality grease. If your boots have never torn then rather than having gremlins, your car has a guardian angel, lol! You *have* had torn CV boots on that car right? I would be shocked beyond belief if you are on the original CV boots.

JoeHoe_SHO, I'd call up Mardi at www.raxles.com and get a rebuilt halfshaft from him. It will cost a little bit more, but not a whole lot and you can finally have some peace of mind.

 

[JoeHoe_SHO]

Well...when I first got the car, It was much more crisp, and responsive that my previous 89, so it took a little getting used to. I have done a few burn outs...not the ones when you pop the clutch, the ones that brake your shafts w/o the clutch, ya know...flooring it when coming out of a turn w/tires smokin'. Only did it a couple times. I am getting the napa one too.

Damn, I already ordered the part as well. I will keep that site handy when I brake another.

BTW- Neither of my boots are torn, which is why I'm replacing the wholeshaft, not just the halfshaft. Temporary peice of mind.

<small>[ July 16, 2003, 06:55 PM: Message edited by: JoeHoe_SHO ]</small>

 

[sdpatt]

The metal parts are original, but the boots have been replaced several times each over the miles, heat and ozone to which they have been exposed.

 

[shojuan]

sdpatt:
The metal parts are original, but the boots have been replaced several times each over the miles, heat and ozone to which they have been exposed.

First off, Scott that's awesome that you caught those broken boots in time every time they tore so that your original outer CV joints have lasted this long.

Second, this is a PRIME example of why it is such a good idea to go with a quality rebuilt halfshaft like Raxles provides that uses BRAND NEW outer CV joints. Scott's CV joint were brand new when he got the car and they've lasted this long because they were brand new and have had proper care over the years (prompt identification of torn boots followed by cleaning, repacking, and boot replacement). When folks buy those crappy NAPA or generic parts store rebuilds you're not getting brand new outer joints. A brand new outer joint costs more than those cheap rebuilds!! But it's worth it because a brand new outer joint can be a lifetime joint with proper care. The extra up front cost isn't much in the scheme of things.