njdrsubaru Posted March 16, 2008 Share Posted March 16, 2008 double offset joint? is that correct? how do i fix this and what is the cause Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reveeen Posted March 16, 2008 Share Posted March 16, 2008 double offset joint? I'm going to assume you are talking about the inner CV joints. Called a "double offset joint", because it both allows movement in an arc, and in/out. how do i fix this It depends on what is wrong with it. what is the cause It depends what is wrong with it. At my local Subaru dealer I was recently sniffing around for used/junk half shafts (drive axles). I talked to the guys in the shop and in the newer cars it seems that inner joints are failing more than the outer joints. This is not a "normal" situation, at least not "normal" compared to the majority of cars that use this type of axle, they were installing TRW rebuilt axles. I have not seen this type of failure here. My old Loyale had a ripped inner boot, that I replaced, taking apart the inner joint, and cleaning/re-assembling/greasing, I put the boot failure down to old age, as there was no mechanical reason for it to fail. My "newer" car is due for boots in the spring, but only due to age, not mechanical failure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
njdrsubaru Posted March 16, 2008 Author Share Posted March 16, 2008 well i decided to change one of my axles today and i bought a brand new axle and when i was done with it i had a nasty vibration when accelerating... now i know i installed it the right way, so i went down to the parts store and got another one to install tomorrow and return the defective one... could the inner joint be defective and give that vibration? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nipper Posted March 16, 2008 Share Posted March 16, 2008 Aftermarket axles suck bigtime. you need to get one from subaru or from the prefered supplier, which someone here will mention. Did you replace the springpin? nipper Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigMattyD Posted March 16, 2008 Share Posted March 16, 2008 I Installed a NAPA replacement axle, and it has rocked the house for two years in my 96 Legacy. No Probs whatsoever. Big D Out... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nipper Posted March 16, 2008 Share Posted March 16, 2008 I Installed a NAPA replacement axle, and it has rocked the house for two years in my 96 Legacy. No Probs whatsoever. Big D Out... Then you were very lucky. nipper Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigMattyD Posted March 16, 2008 Share Posted March 16, 2008 As I recall, my local backwoods mechanic had replaced the opposite side a year or so earlier with a NAPA maxdrive axle, and he was all about quality at a good price, so when the other side crapped out, I got the Napa part, and did it myself, thanks to the helpful tips from the USMB. Both sides have been A-OK. I saved the original. I was going to clean and repack it, but I forgot what happened. I moved a few times, and I may not even have the original any more. I remember thinking that the new part looked and felt sturdy. It's only been a few years but so far so good. I would vouch for the Napa axles, but I have heard bad things about autozone or advance... matt d Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edrach Posted March 16, 2008 Share Posted March 16, 2008 well i decided to change one of my axles today and i bought a brand new axle and when i was done with it i had a nasty vibration when accelerating... now i know i installed it the right way, so i went down to the parts store and got another one to install tomorrow and return the defective one... could the inner joint be defective and give that vibration?Yes; lots of documented posts indicating that newly rebuild axles arrive with a bad inner joint. Vibration under acceleration which goes away instantly under deceleration is a "classic" symptom for a bad DOJ. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reveeen Posted March 16, 2008 Share Posted March 16, 2008 I got up this AM and this was posted elsewhere: http://home.comcast.net/~trilinear/axle_rebuilding.html This is your typical inner joint. Usually the balls get loose in the cage (which requires a cage/ball replacement), but like anything mechanical, anything in there could be worn. Failing faulty material (soft, or improperly hardened components) it is usually water contamination (rust) that "eats" these things. Any "rebuilt" component you buy depends solely on the skill/training of the actual guy doing the rebuild and the "new" materials availaible. I will also take this opportunity to point out that there is very little rebuilding going on in either Canada, or the US. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
subsince77 Posted March 16, 2008 Share Posted March 16, 2008 Aftermarket axles suck bigtime. you need to get one from subaru or from the prefered supplier, which someone here will mention. nipper MWE Axles www.ccrengines.com/mwe/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dhewitt Posted March 16, 2008 Share Posted March 16, 2008 You didn't say what brand axle you used, but NAPA seems to cause problems a lot. I can add our '04 Outback to the list of rigs that hate NAPA axles. Went through three before we finally put in an MWE and the problem went away. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ferox Posted March 16, 2008 Share Posted March 16, 2008 I didn't see what vehicle this thread was started for, but the first thing I put on my '81 hatch were new empi brand axles. They sell reman's too, but you can get brand new ones too for a little more. I believe they are a German company and it might be one of those VW/Subie interchangeable things. They have been perfect now for almost three years. The CCR reman's might be just as good though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reveeen Posted March 16, 2008 Share Posted March 16, 2008 EMPI: http://www.empius.com/ At one time EMPI was a US company selling "made in USA" stuff, for the most part, strictly VWs. As VW stuff fell out of popularity, they branched out into other import stuff, and likely have changed ownership 2, or 3 times. All I have seen lately from EMPI is made in China junk. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
njdrsubaru Posted March 16, 2008 Author Share Posted March 16, 2008 this is for a 95 legacy i just finished putting the exchanged axle in, and.... its doing the same thing!!!!! so i am gonna get my OEM fixed up. The outer boot is torn so i guess i can slap a new boot in and put it back in the car and return the aftermarket one Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnceggleston Posted March 16, 2008 Share Posted March 16, 2008 this is for a 95 legacy so i am gonna get my OEM fixed up. The outer boot is torn so i guess i can slap a new boot in and put it back in the car and return the aftermarket one any suggestions on boots, types, sources, etc. what should boots cost? a recent post commented on the axles for the newer outbacks ('01?) and the boots having more convolutions and maybe being more durable. any thoughts? it sounds like replacing boot is a real mess, but with so many BAD reman axles out there i'd much rather do that than replace the axle if it isn't bad. thanks, john Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
njdrsubaru Posted March 16, 2008 Author Share Posted March 16, 2008 that CV just pissed me off, it sounds like it is a worn out CV and it vibrates!!! so i am definetelly getting my old one redone and putting it back in the car... now is there something i could be doing wrong? any tips and tricks for when i put the original back in the car? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reveeen Posted March 16, 2008 Share Posted March 16, 2008 Boots cost me here: $12 they come in under the "Fenco" name and appear to be silicone (boot, 2 clamps, and a snap ring, if required). The only thing you could fisk up is: when installing on the transmission end, the hole for the pin is offset, so either it lines up, or it doesn't, if it doesn't you are 180 out. There may be a difference in the spline count, but I'm sure you can tell if it fits, or not. There is nothing else I can *think* of that is a potential train wreck. I do all mine here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
njdrsubaru Posted March 18, 2008 Author Share Posted March 18, 2008 ok i have solved my problem by getting a used OEM axle from the junk yard for $20, replacing the boots and returning the aftermarket axle... the used axle didnt have ripped boots i just replaced them to make sure they'll last long enough.... and guess what!? I HAVE NO VIBRATIONS!!!! i hate aftermarket crap!@ i will never buy axles at advance auto parts again Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gloyale Posted March 20, 2008 Share Posted March 20, 2008 EMPI:As VW stuff fell out of popularity, they branched out into other import stuff, and likely have changed ownership 2, or 3 times. All I have seen lately from EMPI is made in China junk. Agreed, got 1 of there new axles for a 2000 OB. Intalled it and it caued idle vibration when topped in gear(automatic) Replaced with a econd EMPI and it did the same thing. Reboot you're Original axle or get brand new Subaru OEM. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigMattyD Posted April 5, 2009 Share Posted April 5, 2009 It is 2009 and I still have the NAPA axles (new, not rebuilt) on both sides of my front end. Guess what... They still ROCK!!! and ny rock, I don't mean vibrate or shimmy, etc. In fact, every time I stop in to a Napa store, I remark to the salesperson how pleased I am with their axles. I spent around 95 dollars an axle and I am extremely happy. D-master over and out Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
njdrsubaru Posted April 5, 2009 Author Share Posted April 5, 2009 well, i got 2 of them at napa and both of them have been busted... i just went to the JY today and got an used one and all is fine Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigMattyD Posted April 5, 2009 Share Posted April 5, 2009 Man, that sucks. Mine have been fine. I am certain that different years/ body styles have different parts, so that could account for the difference. I feel for you, though. I have ordered aftermarket parts that sucked a nut, most recently "Bosal" exhaust parts. Did not fit well at all. Matt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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