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Ok after installing my 20s my axle decided to start clicking so I headed to advance and grabbed a carquest axle. Easy peasy I've done this before. Pull out the driveway and no clicks and we done.
Wrong. Drove around the block and clicking returned, so I went home and checked it out and it popped out reseated it again with some love taps and we good to go!
WRONG.
What the hell is going on? Is it the carquest axle? Is it my stupidity? Is my car allergic to non oem parts?
You have the X Sedan (AWD), yes? A few questions, is the clicking noise:
- coming from the front or rear axle;
- noticeable when making turns under power or throughout the entire range of motion; and
- any clunking noise when going over bumps?
Front passenger side, clicks on low speed and while turning. Sound was alleviated for a few moments after the axle replacement but it didn't seat right twice so I'm currently fighting the aftermarket axle to remove from the diff. Fun times smh
Trust me, I have had more than my share of aggravation, busted knuckles, and tons of gawd darn/mother f bombs dealing with CV joints over my decades. Patience is the one skill I NEVER mastered.
If the inner hub is not seating inside the diff hub it could be a bad circlip binding or the splines might need cleaning/grease. If it still does not work get another unit. It wouldn't be the first time a remanufactured part had issues. I'm guessing you exchanged your OEM axle for the core charge?
I still have my oem axle so I was hoping to compare the 2 once I got it out. Bruised the hell outta my hand and it's still stuck in but it's slowly coming out. I might have to retire from suspension work after this lmao. Had to head to work so I'll give it a another try in the am. I am convinced this carquest axle is the reason, I popped out my oem axle in 15 mins flat.
Finally got it out, I really want to buy and oem axle. I see small differences. Can anyone confirm for me that this axle is too different and was causing my issues? Also the clip is still attached in the diff as well so that's good
Finally grabbed a new axle and apparently the newer ones are a redesign. The carquest one did not because of the differences in size at the end. I grabbed this one from napa and it appears to be the correct size.
Ok either I'm an idiot or just having a bad time with this axle ordeal. Axle refuses to sit flush. Gave it a few love taps with the hammer and nothing. So what the hell am I doing wrong?
There's about 1/4 of an inch of space and I know it's supposed to sit flush so what's the best way to do this?
Decided to take a look at the other axle that I have yet to return and it appears there's alot of scarring at the tip of the axle. So I'm assuming it's the circlip giving me all this hassle
Sometimes those circlips can be very difficult. If you look closely, you can see that it is not in the centre, but offset to one side.
As you found out, this can prevent the spline from going in all the way, as the clip doesn't move out of the way and blocks the spline 100%
Try this:
• Use a little thick grease to hold the circlip as close as possible in the centre of the spider gear.
• Use a file and make sure the CV spline doesn't have ANY burs or sharp edges - even on each spline.
• Try to assemble again, but go easy with the hammer it shouldn't take too much force to fully seat the spline.
Ok see what your talkin about, I'll head to the store and pick up some grease and take another stab at it. So I should put the grease on the circlip in the diff to try to hold it in place?