Axle fell off???

[mueller944s2]

Two nights ago I was taking some turns really fast. There was nobody else around of course, but you know how it is, you see curves in the road and let loose. Well the next day (yesterday) I backed out of the garage and was getting a shutter/clank in the driveway. I looked under the back and the right axle was completely off the hub. The only thing holding it on was one bolt that still managed to remain somewhat threaded, the axle rotated around that one loose bolt so that it wasn't on the tranny. I just did the clutch and since I took the axles off I replaced all those bolts and torqued them properly to 30lbs. Yet somehow, I didn't lose a single bolt even though they were backed out and just sitting there. What would cause this? 30lbs is the right spec?

I'm not sure how I drove the interstate 30 miles that night without any signs of a problem for it to just fall off in my driveway the next day. Idk what would've happened if that thing fell off on one of those turns...

[Rod Schneider]

You aren't the first one to have this issue. One thing is to make sure that the mating surface between the CV joint and the transmission flange is absolutely clean and the bolts and bolts holes are clean and dry.

[campbelljj]

Happenned to me too. After i performed clutch replacement. Lots of grease on both axle ends must contribute to this happenning. I installed cam locking washers and have had no failures since.

[Gawernator]

You lucky duck. Haha

[Rich L.]

I've been going through this as well. 3 times I've had the inner driver side CV come loose at a track day. I too changed the tranny recently and clearly haven't been getting the axles back on right.

Here's the best post I've found on the subject:
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/1922501-post12.html

Good luck,
Rich

[AKCJ]

I'm glad I used the stage 8 locking fasteners from Ideola.
Just thinking out loud - a guy could probably just use the locking fasteners on half of the bolts to save a few $. Use the normal bolts on the other half.

[pfarah]

I guess this is a good time to check mine while she's up in the air!

[924CarreraGTP]

It's happened to me before. It's a good idea to tighten them to specified torque and then check them often. I actually lost 3 of my bolts once. Luckily I had some from a parted 924 and didn't have to buy any. I'm glad I caught it though.

[9FF]

If the bolts and threads are immaculately clean and they are torqued to spec they will never come out. Any spec of grease in there will lube those bolts right out.

[pfarah]

Boy am I glad I checked the bolts this morning. The bolts to the CV axle I replaced over the winter, while not loose, were not at the proper 31 ft/lb torque setting. A few minutes later and they're all set. Sorry for the mishap but I'm grateful to this post; I never would have checked.

[rhett]

Isn't it always the way...when you want to get these bolts off, they can be a real pig as they lock themselves into the hub flange, break and the heads strip. Then, when you want them to stay in....they just back themselves out!!

I too will be checking all mine as I have recently rebuilt the rear suspension and replaced the axle shafts, so this thread has been very useful as a caution!

[Porsche-O-Phile]

Safety wire them. I did.

[emoore924]

This happens ALL THE TIME.

It is why the Ideola kit is so popular with the 944 cup guys.

[wayde1985]

i got my bolts out the fast way in my first 951 by shearing them all off when taking off from a traffic light lol.

[Gawernator]

Originally Posted by wayde1985

i got my bolts out the fast way in my first 951 by shearing them all off when taking off from a traffic light lol.

Or in a parking lot... I mean why spend the time taking them out one by one when all you gotta do is start hard in 1st gear

[POPS 83 944]

Originally Posted by AKCJ

I'm glad I used the stage 8 locking fasteners from Ideola.

This was the same thought I had, I didn't want to deal with the CV bolts working loose on me!!

[CHICKS]

Ideola group buy?

[pfarah]

Please excuse my newbeness but what is the Ideola kit?

[POPS 83 944]

Originally Posted by pfarah

Please excuse my newbeness but what is the Ideola kit?

here you go.

Ideola's Garage: Suspension Upgrades