Has anyone here ever failed a REAR axle?

[nemick]

I think my passenger side rear axle may be on it's way out. I know that everyone raves about Raxles for the front but I'm wondering if anyone has had success with after market axles on the rear?

Thanks

[tar]

You can't just rebuild it? Oem lasted this long.

I like my jhm "solid" axles even if they add weight. I'm not sure if they still offer the rears or not.

[crazexr7]

My front raxle was completely worth it in my eyes. I'm planning on replacing them all with raxles eventually. But the only axles I'll put on my car are used OEM or raxles.

[walky_talky20]

I have had a rear axle fail. The left rear inside joint failed causing a (slight at first, then heavy after some weeks) vibration on accel or decel. This is the joint that goes very near the exhaust pipe and there is no heat shield to protect it. I think the constant heat over the long term (200k miles) caused the failure. This was evident as the boot was fully intact, but the grease inside the joint was all dried up. The joint failed due to lack of lubrication, I believe.

Aftermarket availability is slim as these don't fail very often. I replaced it with a used OEM axle from the junkyard. I think it was $35 or so.

[nemick]

I have had a rear axle fail. The left rear inside joint failed causing a (slight at first, then heavy after some weeks) vibration on accel or decel. This is the joint that goes very near the exhaust pipe and there is no heat shield to protect it. I think the constant heat over the long term (200k miles) caused the failure. This was evident as the boot was fully intact, but the grease inside the joint was all dried up. The joint failed due to lack of lubrication, I believe.

Aftermarket availability is slim as these don't fail very often. I replaced it with a used OEM axle from the junkyard. I think it was $35 or so.

Can you describe the vibration you felt? I've been chasing a vibration for months now and the only thing I can find/feel/see wrong at the rear is a torn boot on the right side outer CV.

My vibration occurs during acceleration between 15-20 mph when accelerating moderately heavily. If I drive like Grandma, no vibration. Nothing when cruising, nothing when decelerating. I've already replaced the forward diff mount and I can find nothing wrong with the center driveshaft support. I'm trying to avoid just throwing parts at it, but I may have to do just that. Blah.

[nemick]

You can't just rebuild it? Oem lasted this long.

I like my jhm "solid" axles even if they add weight. I'm not sure if they still offer the rears or not.

I could rebuild it, but I'm not sure that's the most cost effective direction at this point. Looks to me as though a new CV joint isn't much cheaper than a whole new Raxle. I have Raxles on the front and I'm very happy with them. I guess it comes down to figuring how much I want to spend on a car that's worth $2500-3000 and has 215K miles on it.

[Bordom]

I could rebuild it, but I'm not sure that's the most cost effective direction at this point. Looks to me as though a new CV joint isn't much cheaper than a whole new Raxle. I have Raxles on the front and I'm very happy with them. I guess it comes down to figuring how much I want to spend on a car that's worth $2500-3000 and has 215K miles on it.

I got a quote last year from Raxles on a rear axle. It was $400 CAD

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[walky_talky20]

Can you describe the vibration you felt? I've been chasing a vibration for months now and the only thing I can find/feel/see wrong at the rear is a torn boot on the right side outer CV.

My vibration occurs during acceleration between 15-20 mph when accelerating moderately heavily. If I drive like Grandma, no vibration. Nothing when cruising, nothing when decelerating. I've already replaced the forward diff mount and I can find nothing wrong with the center driveshaft support. I'm trying to avoid just throwing parts at it, but I may have to do just that. Blah.

It was kind of weird. At first it was fairly minor, like a slightly unbalanced wheel. It would vibrate more at certain speeds. I would set the cruise at specific speeds to minimize it. It also seemed very temperature dependent. I think cold days it would do it more, and warm days it was barely there. A rear seat passenger could feel the vibration a lot more than somebody up front. I think that's about all the details.

[nemick]

Thanks Walky. Would you care to speculate on what my issue may be?

[vrmm]

I've had an import direct rear axle for like 45k. It works perfectly. Never had an issue or vibration. I have the same brand in the front and blow them up often due to launching with the wheel turned fully in either direction. Pavement or dirt doesn't matter. Sure I suppose it could be said I deserve it, but... dirt.. seriously?! Anyways.... 80$ for an Orielly's rear axle is a go in my books. If that's your issue. I would love front raxles, but I think it's a waste to do the rear with raxles. Walkys used axle isn't a bad idea. I think I might have a used front right now. Maybe half of one... Idk at this point :p

[walky_talky20]

The rears fail so rarely that a junkyard piece is a pretty safe bet. For the fronts, it's a little more of a gamble. You have to make sure you're getting an OEM piece.

[vrmm]

I ****think**** you can use guts from the front and put them on the rear shafts or vice versa on the off chance you happen to have a spare front laying around. When I say 'I think' I know I'm right, but ya know... I'm not perfect and this is the Internet :) walky could confirm or deny.

[nemick]

The rears fail so rarely that a junkyard piece is a pretty safe bet. For the fronts, it's a little more of a gamble. You have to make sure you're getting an OEM piece.

I already have Raxles on the front, but if I'm just trying to go through a process of elimination, I don't want to spend a fortune. Unfortunately, there are few junkyards around here and even fewer with any Audi's of any kind.

[vrmm]

You could check on car-part.com. They ship generally. I was quoted 50$ for an aeb head to be shipped across the US, so an axle probably wouldn't be too bad. I'm going to pull and save tomorrow to look for a seat, so if one just happens to be pulled or close to I'll buy it and if you want you can pay me for it and shipping. If you don't want it that's fine. I should probably get another one anyways. I think they're only like 8$, so it really only comes down to shipping.

[nemick]

You could check on car-part.com. They ship generally. I was quoted 50$ for an aeb head to be shipped across the US, so an axle probably wouldn't be too bad. I'm going to pull and save tomorrow to look for a seat, so if one just happens to be pulled or close to I'll buy it and if you want you can pay me for it and shipping. If you don't want it that's fine. I should probably get another one anyways. I think they're only like 8$, so it really only comes down to shipping.

Sounds good. Let me know if you find one.

Thanks

[Bordom]

I ****think**** you can use guts from the front and put them on the rear shafts or vice versa on the off chance you happen to have a spare front laying around. When I say 'I think' I know I'm right, but ya know... I'm not perfect and this is the Internet :) walky could confirm or deny.

You can use the inner CV joints add those are the same. Front outer joints are larger

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[vrmm]

I found two a4's but everything was still on and there was like 10 inches of snow, so I didn't want to freeze :/ sorry!

I think you can use the outer too, just not the case deal that goes into the hub, but the bearings and bearing 'cage' is the same.

[nemick]

Fair enough, lol. Thanks for checking though!

[walky_talky20]

I'm not perfect and this is the Internet :) walky could confirm or deny.

Walky cannot confirm nor deny that this is the Internet.