Remanufactured 1/2 axle-CV joints - opinions?

Ehab · 03-30-2002, 11:56 AM

Hey guys, I guess it is CV joint time for me, last night I started hearing the God awful clicking sounds, which are kinda quiet right now, and only come up at low speeds below 20mph, from the rear passenger side wheel. However, as we all know very well, that is the indicator of dying CV joints.

I've looked through previous posts, and noticed that all the job requires is taking the 1/2 axle off, and either replacing the joints and packing them, or replacing the whole 1/2 axle by getting another new or rebuilt unit.

My question, for you experts, is that I found 1/2 axles (which I guess include both CV joints) for $169 at Vertex, rebuilt, and for $225 new. However, I also found some rebuilt units at Autozone for $80 ... my car is old (84 944) and has about 160K miles on it ... is it okay for me to choose the cheaper option, or will I be risking any safety by not buying the more expensive Lobro units from Vertex?

I also wanted to know if the early 944 has a 6point rather than 12point bolts on the CV joints.

Thanks.

Ehab

justin · justin's Garage

Hey Ehab,
I work at O'Reilly autoparts and I got cv axles from them for about 60.00 each side and they work fine,also the bolts are cheesehead bolts.
Good luck

Ehab · 03-30-2002, 12:11 PM

This is kinda weird, in the Autozone website, they list 2 different parts for the right and the left side cv axles ... how can that make any sense if the consensus is that they are identical?

lordgrommit · 03-30-2002, 02:52 PM

I had mine rebuilt for 80 bucks apeice next day service. Work great Lifetime warranty.. They will regret that.

Matt

stray15 · stray15's Garage

I got mine through carquest for cheap.

The bolts are 12 point!!

jland924T · 03-30-2002, 04:10 PM

According to a parts listing at the 924 garage, for a manual trans the CV joints are nothing more than a VW type 4 bus joint. used on '76-'82 924, 924S, 924T, 944 '83-'89, 944S'87-88, 944T '86-early 87 (to chassis#95HN151524), VW type 4 bus, VW type 411. I checked locally and it made about a $40.00 difference between Porsche # and VW #. Information is quoted from 924 garage about 30 days ago. Hope this helps.

John

emilysgranny · 03-30-2002, 07:18 PM

Ehab ; both sides are the same length except for the auto trans.In a pinch you can just swap the half shafts and wear the other side of the joint for a short time till you get a new one.

Ehab · 03-30-2002, 11:55 PM

Thanks for the tips guys, I just ordered both sides from Autozone, so when I get them, I'll compare them and let you know what the differences are, if I find any ... and I'll also attempt to install them, which I will also keep you posted on.

E

Ehab · 04-08-2002, 09:17 AM

Crap, I called everywhere, and they are all out of stock, or out of business ... I'm really bummed out by I'm in a time bind, so I ordered new ones, with their bolts, from Paragon for $195 a side. But now I'm stuck without the tool ... can't find it anywhere either .. except Perf.Prod. and Vertex ... rip off .... anyone have any clue as to where I can get it?

Thanks.

emilysgranny · 04-08-2002, 09:53 AM

Ehab ; did you try the biggest tool supplier in the world--Sears

Ehab · 04-08-2002, 06:06 PM

Yup, I went to the biggest one, and they didn't have it - the guy was pretty sure he doesn't carry it. I also looked online on sears.com and couldn't find it either ...

E

1.2gees · 1.2gees's Garage

If you still need this tool, I can get it. I'm almost positive the price is around $5 from my tool supplier but not positive. What state are you in?
Ahmet

Ehab · 04-09-2002, 05:54 AM

I'm in MA ...

E

Lawrence Coppari · 04-09-2002, 05:59 AM

Bought mine at NAPA for about $6.

1.2gees · 1.2gees's Garage

I'll see how much I can get the tool for today, if you want to pay shipping I can send you one at my cost...

BUT I think you can find one through sears cheaper than what I'll pay for the same tool +shipping to you.
Ahmet

Ehab · 04-09-2002, 06:09 AM

Thanks Ahmet, I'll keep looking, but if I get desperate, I'll let you know ...

E

turbo89930 · 04-09-2002, 06:18 AM

Before you go and purchase replacements. If the only symptom you have is the clicking, unless the boots are torn, they may only need to be re-packed with CV joint grease. It is a fairly easy (but messy) job and will only cost a few dollars.
Here is a tech article from rennlist that describes 85.5 &up 944 CV joint maintence, but it applies to early ones as well.

http://www.rennlist.org/techarticles/944Constant%20VelocityJoint.htm

Ehab · 04-09-2002, 06:35 AM

Okay guys, I finally found some remanufactured parts at carquest for $75 each (1/2 axles), which is much cheaper than the new ones at $195 ... should I go for them?

Thanks.

Ehab

RPM'S S2 · 04-09-2002, 08:41 AM

I got a 12 pt tool that fit inside a 13mm socket at Carquest for a few bucks. Worked like a charm. It is 3 or 4 inches long and that extension really helps to clear the CV boot. A straight socket type tool might be harder to use.
Make sure you clean out the bolt head before you start. My instincts told me that the tool or the bolts would strip without too much effort.

Lawrence Coppari · 04-09-2002, 08:59 AM

You should use new bolts. Also, you should clean the grease and other mess out of the holes the bolts screw into. A little Loctite on the bolts is also recommended for tracked vehicles.

I had a half shaft come loose at the transmission on the driver's side a couple of years ago. It is not among my fondest memories.