620slodat Posted June 24, 2022 Report Share Posted June 24, 2022 (edited) This question is not for a Datsun, VW instead. I just got a 2014 VW Passat TDI SEL Premium with a branded title, and I need to get at least one axle. The brands for a premium axle are FVP and Trakmotive at Rockauto. I am not used to either brand, or a front drive car for that matter, and I need to know which is better. As it turned out the inner joint for the passenger was very loose. Since it is so reasonable for the axle I may just get the drivers axle also. My wife is probably going to drive the car more than me and that is why I'm going with the premium axle. The wheel bearing/axle problem is something that was mostly the reason for get it so cheap. The car is mostly repaired, but the radio/back up camera may need replaced and the front passenger seat belt locks up a lot of the time. Don Edited June 24, 2022 by 620slodat Quote Link to comment
Stoffregen Motorsports Posted June 25, 2022 Report Share Posted June 25, 2022 More importantly is new vs rebuilt. If new, where was it manufactured? I'd prefer a rebuilt OEM axle shaft over a new Chinese one. Quote Link to comment
datzenmike Posted June 25, 2022 Report Share Posted June 25, 2022 Even rebuilt using original castings may have (hell who's kidding who?) inferior seals, bearings or what ever else. If your clutch slave is $8.95 just how much do you really think was spent and put into it? This is why you get a lifetime guarantee. They know these are shit and a dime a dozen to replace. A 620 slave is about $40 at dealer with a 50% mark up so a 'good' OEM quality is around $25-$30. This makes the $8.98 bargain slave pretty suspicious at 1/3 the cost. Same for $50 alternators and starters. 2 Quote Link to comment
thisismatt Posted June 25, 2022 Report Share Posted June 25, 2022 Man, I would find a wrecker and pull an OEM axle, or find a low mileage OEM axle on eBay. At least in the Honda world aftermarket axles are crap. 1 Quote Link to comment
Stoffregen Motorsports Posted June 25, 2022 Report Share Posted June 25, 2022 Or, you could call a VW / German car specialist in your area, pretending to be a potential customer and ask them to quote the job, then ask what brands they use. I don't like to use the major online parts houses as a gauge for what parts are good. If all they sell is crap, then spending more for better crap is pointless. Quote Link to comment
620slodat Posted June 27, 2022 Author Report Share Posted June 27, 2022 (edited) I took your advice to heart. It was way more expensive, but this morning I ordered an OEM new axle. Now I need to just wait and see when it arrives. Supposed to arrive somewhere around July 5-7. July 4th is in the middle, so I am skeptical about arrival close to a holiday. My experience in a cabinet shop says that a holiday can disrupt plans for arrival. I didn't find a low mileage axle from a wrecker on e-bay. Don Edited June 27, 2022 by 620slodat 1 Quote Link to comment
datzenmike Posted June 27, 2022 Report Share Posted June 27, 2022 Low mileage would be good for the bearings but in reality there is nothing to wear out on an axle. 1 Quote Link to comment
Stoffregen Motorsports Posted June 27, 2022 Report Share Posted June 27, 2022 Ball cages and splines wear. Cages from normal use. Cages can also pit from abuse. Splines from the accidental loose nut on the wheel side of the axle or from abuse at the internal spline on the CV. Quote Link to comment
datzenmike Posted June 27, 2022 Report Share Posted June 27, 2022 It's very possible. 1 Quote Link to comment
620slodat Posted June 30, 2022 Author Report Share Posted June 30, 2022 It was pointed out to me by my wife that I made a mistake in my calculations. I'm surprised that it wasn't pointed out by somebody from here, but the 4th is before the 5th not after the 5th. Anyhow, that doesn't change what I said about holiday's and shipping times. Anytime something is promised to arrive close to a holiday is suspect. Don 1 Quote Link to comment
620slodat Posted July 7, 2022 Author Report Share Posted July 7, 2022 (edited) Just an update. The latest I got was that the axle and bolts weren't going to be here until Monday July 11. But, surprise, they showed up here today on the 6th. They matched the axle and bolt that I pulled out of there, The new axle had a genuine VW logo, was exactly the same as the old axle, and had exactly the same sticker. Now to make the time to put the VW back together. Don Edited July 7, 2022 by 620slodat 1 Quote Link to comment
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