New or Remanufactured Axle?

[rs899]

After basically rebuilding the front end of the Jetta (inner/outer tie rods, struts/mounts, ball joints, control arm bushings, wheel bearings) I am getting an occasional initial “clunk” when taking off from start.  Can’t really tell where it’s coming from.  No clicking noise on tight turns.

At this point, since I didn’t do anything with axles, I am suspecting one of those has gone south.

Used to be the only real choice was to get a rebuilt one, but I am beginning to think that the supply of usable cores is so bad that going that way may be asking for trouble.

I also hear a lot of generally bad news about new Chinese ones. 

I also see that I can get Lobro GKN outers for about $60 each  ( I assume these are still German?).  I am tempted to go that way if I could just get away with doing the outers.

What have been your experiences with axles and CVs lately?  Is it worth trying new ones?  I have never been impressed with anything the Chinese have made that has to be as robust as a bearing or axle…

[burn_your_money]

I'd look at a loose motor mount or something on the effect before looking at axles

[theman53]

Yeah if it is a mk2 the front one is suspect.

[rs899]

Worth a look.   The thing does shake a lot if I don't give it pedal on startup.

[R.O.R-2.0]

its either the front or rear engine mount. the trans mount is usually pretty quiet..

[rs899]

Went outside at lunchtime and gave the car a good rock.  I don't see anything, but couldn't do much in the parking lot in good clothes.

All mounts are fairly new.

I hope you are right.  I don't feel like messing with nasty greasy axles...

[burn_your_money]

On my mom's car it was the alternator bracket hitting the front crossmember.

[R.O.R-2.0]

Went outside at lunchtime and gave the car a good rock.  I don't see anything, but couldn't do much in the parking lot in good clothes.

All mounts are fairly new.

I hope you are right.  I don't feel like messing with nasty greasy axles...

you wont get it to clunk by hand.. you need to start it, and make the noise by going forward or reverse, or whatever it takes..

ive never had an engine mount present its self by rocking the engine. you just KNOW what they feel like, and replace them..

usually axles make noises while turning, not while taking off. bad engine mounts will make noise when taking off. i would suspect the front mount..

[rs899]

Makes sense.

I am a bit shocked if it is the front mount.  It is a German Febi hydraulic, less than 2 years old.

Is that what you guys are using, or do the hydraulic ones crap out quickly?

[bajacalal]

I agree, the choice seems to be either remanufactured or built cheaply, by the lowest bidder, in China.

I prefer the remanufactured ones, they are made from OEM parts where applicable and in my experience, last as long as the originals did. When I worked at a parts store, I remember that remanufactured axles were not frequently returned for warranty, though I wonder if that's because the people who owned the car decided it was falling apart at that point and sold it after it started needing things like axles. Rebuilding them myself is just not worth the time, especially since the rebuilt axles are so cheap.

[theman53]

Hydro mounts are more suspect than non hydro IMHO. I used a G60 front mount solid rubber.

[rs899]

It popped again on the way home.  Left hand 90 degree turn from full stop.  Reaaaallly sounded like coming from the right front wheel.

I don't think it was the front mount at all.  Didn't really sound like the rear mount either.

It only happens like once or twice a day.  Seems like on a left hand from stop.  I really hate to have to pay that much attention to it.


As for rebuilt axles...

Rebuilding them myself is just not worth the time, especially since the rebuilt axles are so cheap.

Kind of makes you wonder what they do to "rebuild" them.  For example, Autozoo sells a reman one for $40.  It's got to cost them that in labor just to take it apart and put boots on and grease  it.  They can't possibly put a German CV joint on it.  They could regroove it and put oversize balls in it, but that would seem to shorten it's life ( when one gets through the case hardening).  That's why I was thinking of just buying new Lobro CVs and using the axles I have.

I remember that remanufactured axles were not frequently returned for warranty,

The remaned axles I have on the Rabbit p/u have to be 15 years old with at least 100k miles on them and are still fine.  But I just wonder how many decent axles are out there in the rebuild pool that haven't been rebuilt once or twice already?

[ORCoaster]

When I first was introduced to front wheel drive cars I found that to source out the trouble side of the problem I went to the local college after most were gone.  Early evening.  I could start the car from the stop and drive a circle to the left then a circle to the right.  The loudest side that gave me the banging and the popping won.  I think it is harder on the CV to do an inside radius than an outside. 

Someone correct me if I am wrong, DAS

[rs899]

OK .  I am getting basically one pretty loud "POP" under these conditions:

Car is cold and has been sitting all day at work.
Start car- go forward a few feet- make initial 90 degree left hand turn

POP - (this time sounded like left wheel?)

Rest of the way home tried to duplicate it, but nada.

Went to abandoned parking lot (car hot) and did various sharp radius turns, stop/starts- nothing.  No clicking/popping.

In the morning (car cold) going to work I don't make the same turn (more of a gentle right hander on sand)- no noise.

Any ideas?

[burn_your_money]

CVs make an obvious clicking sound when they are on their way out.

ORCoaster I believe you are correct. The outer wheel overspeeds and is not being driven by the engine. The inner wheel is doing all the work and therefore if it's going, clicks.