The Problem with Cheap CV Axles

In this Steve's Garage video I cover the potential issues with using inexpensive aftermarket CV axles vs high quality aftermarket or OEM axles.

Cheap CV axles can have a variety of problems, from cheap materials that don't last long, or poor tolerances like the one in the video. Many people report inexpensive CV axles not lasting long, or having issues straight out of the box. When comparing cheap CV axles to OEM CV Axles, many people see a vast difference. In many cases the extra money spent on an OEM CV Axle is worth it for the knowledge it won't fail prematurely. In this video, the CV axles had issues from the moment I unboxed and installed them on the car. With zero miles on the CV axles, they were giving me a weird vibration when driving down the road.

For some, the cost savings of an aftermarket CV axles compared to an OEM CV axle is worth it. For me, the cheap CV axles aren't worth the money. I don't want to constantly replace CV axles, and I want my steering wheel to be vibration free when I drive. I want CV axles to be a one and done job.

In addition to this CV axle comparison video, I have a video about diagnosing a worn CV axle, and rebuilding a CV axle if you decide to go that route. Leave any questions you may have, thanks for watching!

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Chapters:
0:00 - Intro
0:27 - CV Axle Options
0:38 - My Experience with Aftermarket CV Axles
1:53 - My Opinion About CV Axles
2:40 - Outro

[deven]

Aftermarket $70
OEM: $600
Hmm.
I figure its worth a most people dont have issues, otherwise these companies would be out of business

[majicdude]

A little bit of in and out play on the outer joint of aftermarket axles is totally normal. If you notice, the joint casing is different. Some use oem casing. Some don't. The bearings inside have rounded edges that fit along an oblong groove inside. This won't affect your car at all. If you're getting vibration and wobble from aftermarket axles, the issue is axial play on the inner joint. It should not rotate inside itself at all.

All aftermarket axles will have this type of play compared to OEM, unless they use OEM joint casings. It's by design

[theniceneighbor]

This video outlined my experience. Aftermarket gave me a vibration at 20mph. Very annoying . I paid $80. Raxles is $350 per side. Ordering raxles now

[lynskyrd]

Steve- you nailed it. Got a cheapo from CARid, absolute junk. I installed it and accelerating from a stop- momentarily feels like I didn't tighten the lug bolts. A wobble / shuddering feeling, especially when accelerating while turning. Also, a very evident steering wheel vibration above 60 MPH. I pulled that piece of junk out of there and installed a reman. Came with the damper and no end play. I installed it and right away- felt the difference. Nice and smooth and rock steady at high speed. CARid is horrible at returns BTW. They are now in an email 'war' with me and they are doing it on purpose hoping I'll get discouraged and won't pursue the return. Anyway- good luck everybody and Steve- thanks for making this vid.

[diegojones]

I’ve tried NAPA, Advance auto parts, o Riley, autozone random eBay cv axles … all of them are JUNK ! 8-10k miles they start clicking.

[paaanik]

My OEM axles from Acura and BMW also move in and out just a little, like you shows. I have no vibration. This is absolutely normal. Same opinion and mechanics that I know. No need to mislead people. If you wanted to advertise for Raxles, just say so. By the way, their cv axles are not so cheap. OEM $500, from Raxles $350 (for my Acura). At the same time, they ask you to send them back your OEM axle shafts. Only OEM. Means, you will receive refurbish, not absolutely NEW. If I were someone who is willing to spend $350 on cv axle, I would add some and buy the OEM.

[rcman]

Hey man you are definitely right I am having hell with my axles the last one I bought let lasted a little bit less than a year this new one I got started making noises after few days I have definitely got to do something different I don't have time to keep replacing axles nor do I even feel like it thank you for the video

[pressureflipwillygrind]

3 days into my new aftermarket CV shaft and getting a slight clunk when turning side to side

I think youve convinced me to rebuild the oem and put it back haha thanks!

[sletourneau]

Did the same. Managed to find a set of oem off a jetta that was being parted out. Live and learn.

[luisg]

I went with Cardone rebuilt and they've been okay on my mk4 GTI. I told myself back then if these fail I'll buy Raxles, but it has been three years of pretty spirited driving and no noticeable problem yet. I agree with your view that it isn't worth the trouble to do axle jobs over and over. Also who likes to get stranded? It happens at the worst time, every time.

In my opinion with most aftermarket parts it is really a matter of luck. A lot of companies are just buying from various suppliers and putting the parts in their box to sell. For my truck I bought a pair of lower arms from one company, what they sent me were two totally different builds. Same part. Different country of origin and different quality on each.

[bubaa]

I gambled twice on my 2018 subaru outback...1st set...left side clunking after installed. Took it back to the reputable garage, installed a new left set. Stating the last sets were defective. Nope. The new left one were slightly better but still the annoying clunking when shifting into gear fwd or reverse. Now both front axles were clunking. Went back and told them i want to replace them with oem. $250 vs $781 per axle. Well, after 2 months of time wasted, no more clunking and drives like brand new. So the moral of the story, just pay the high price for ths oem and save youself the aggravation and time off work...etc. Hard lesson learned but im glad there's no more clunking.

[AwesomenessIskey]

I got trakmotive axles last June. Lifetime warranty but on the passenger side I can see the outer joint is cracking. No vibration issues though. If it happens again, I'm just gotta return them and go to a rebuilder that uses OE quality parts

[billdickson]

My Audi came with an aftermarket driver axle that was loose, vibrated and clunked. Put 2 different brand new aftermarket axles in, one didn't even make it out of my driveway before the joint let go, second one did maybe 100 miles. Tried to find a used OEM one but no luck so bit the bullet and bought a Raxle. 100% worth the cost even not having a core for the core charge. The passenger side was OEM with a torn boot, put a new boot and fresh grease and at 270k miles it's still tighter than the aftermarket one I took out with probably less than 10k miles

[edbrandt]

I have a 2009 Volvo C30. Both inner CV boots failed on my at different times. Instead of replacing the axle, I rebooted both with GKN boots (OEM manufacturer) So far so good. I need to keep an eye on one of the boots as the seal was not 100% air tight. I am not sure if water is getting into it.

[voiceofreason]

For Volvo's, get a GKN reman. That is the company that does the Volvo branded remans. I have them on an S60 and a V50 for years with zero issues.

[aBroadMeadow]

I know very little about cars and don’t care to learn more tbh. This video made me feel better about paying AAA $350 for a warrantied replacement part, so thanks for that.

[AwesomenessIskey]

Most aftermarket new axles are made by wohn in China just a different packaging, like trakmotive, importdirect, Cardone. I used aftermarket on my civic and the boots done last as long as oem

[Knobber]

Got a left Drive Shaft replacement 2 months ago on a 2002 Volvo S80:
I bought this aftermarket part from this store. It is hard to find drive shaft for my volvo, because It equipped with the GM 4T65EV transmission. But finally I found on polar parts website.

On the left side the transmission oil started to leak.... Maybe old seal...

OK Then we replaced the SEAL:
I bought VOLVO ORIGINAL seal...

After 1 month, It started to leak AGAIN.

What can cause it?

- Can a seal installed incorrectly? badly?

- Can an aftermarket drive shaft misfits and cause transmission oil leaks?

I am really tired, spent a lot money on this drive the car back every time to repair center.

[uptownsamcv]

I've used basic cheap aftermarket axles many times and only had issues twice in over 20 years of working on cars.

one was with the clip not locking good into the transmission so I had to get an OEM clip.

second was transmission seal fitment issues on my 02 6 speed Maxima which is kind of rare. I'm guessing the manufacture of the axle didn't know that 02 and 03 although being a 5th generation (2000-2003) they came with a different manual transmission with different axles. I was able to find propper aftermarket axles though.

those were the only issues I have ever had, never had driveability issues either.

[anthonydoane]

just a fyi if you do a cv axle you might have play in other parts in you suspension so i would rule out aftermarket until you fully rebuild the suspension and then replace the cv axles i get that they are not supposed to have play but you can check that in store