Cruze Diesel CV axle NLA: $100 Chinese axle or $500 Lobro Remanfactured from Europe

[CleverUserName]

The drivers side inner CV on my 2014 cruze diesel is knocking and needs to be replaced. The part is specific to the Cruze diesel and is NLA. https://www.gmpartsnow.com/oem-parts/gm-axle-assembly-23184151?c=Zz1zdXNwZW5zaW9uJnM9ZHJpdmUtYXhsZXMmbD0xJm49QXNzZW1ibGllcyBQYWdlJmE9Y2hldnJvbGV0Jm89Y3J1emUmeT0yMDE0JnQ9ZGllc2VsJmU9Mi0wbC1sNC1kaWVzZWw=

I can get a Chinese GSP Axle for less than $100, however I do not want a Chinese part as it will not last and will eventually fail. This car shares parts with the Opel Astra, Vauxhall Insignia and others. I had to order an SKF timing belt tensioner from France as the OE part was not available, it is the same tensioner as the Opel A20DTH. GM does not index parts that are identical but sold in different markets, so you must look at the specs to see if they are the same then take the risk of buying something that may not work.

My only option is finding a quality replacement or order an axle from a junkyard, have it shipped to an axle shop and get it rebuilt. Then get my bad axle rebuilt so I have a spare.

Question:

Do the specs for these two axles look identical? They look very close but I'm not sure. The lobro with VAT and shipping is almost $500 delivered.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

You don't have to pay the VAT

Trodo has that same axle for $387 shipped.

 

[nwjones18]

I see where you're head is at, but in this case I'd throw the Chinese axle at it and see how it goes personally. If you're worried about it you could put the $100 one in and get yours rebuilt then if you ever need it again you're ready.

 

[GMBoy]

Autozone has them - 14186N pass side 14189N driver side. These are NEW not rebuilt. My shop price is $110 pass $98 driver. Retail is still under $200 and your price at the store would be $133 each - that is the way I would go and they are in stock or avail next day. The one's I have used have been very nice.

 

[drtyler]

I would buy the Lobro/GKN. Been buying their new axles and CV joints for years and never had a bad part.

 

[CleverUserName]

Autozone has them - 14186N pass side 14189N driver side. These are NEW not rebuilt. My price shop price is $110 pass $98 driver. Retail is still under $200 and your price at the store would be $133 each - that is the way I would go and they are in stock or avail next day.

That is a chinese axle.

You don't have to pay the VAT

Trodo has that same axle for $387 shipped.

Great, but is it dimensionally the same, and will it fit?

I see where you're head is at, but in this case I'd throw the Chinese axle at it and see how it goes personally. If you're worried about it you could put the $100 one in and get yours rebuilt then if you ever need it again you're ready.

Paying the labor twice is the same as paying the additional cost of buying the Lobro and doing it once.

 

[DriveHard]

I see it at RockAuto for ~$70
https://www.rockauto.com/en/parts/acdelco,23184151,cv+axle,2288

 

[slacktide_bitog]

Great, but is it dimensionally the same, and will it fit?

Looks the same to me

 

[CleverUserName]

I see it at RockAuto for ~$70
https://www.rockauto.com/en/parts/acdelco,23184151,cv+axle,2288

That's the GSP chinese axle from my picture.

 

[DriveHard]

That's the GSP chinese axle from my picture.

Has a limited lifetime warranty...I would take my chances for ease to obtain, and much lower price.

 

[GMBoy]

That is a chinese axle.



Great, but is it dimensionally the same, and will it fit?


Paying the labor twice is the same as paying the additional cost of buying the Lobro and doing it once.

So what if it's a Chinese part. Most things are today. It is made to a spec that I have seen to be perfectly equal to OEM's I have replaced. Furthermore - the "non Chinese" axle on the car now failed, right? With that I rest my case.

 

[DriveHard]

you could give these guys a call and see what they could do for you.
https://www.raxles.com/

 

[nascarnation]

From a pure mechanic standpoint, once you get the original assy out, put some anti-seize on the splines of the new one, then changing the next time is going to be pretty quick. I'd gamble on the low buck part.

I like an acetone / ATF mix for soaking the original spline / hub joint, then hit the end of the axle with an air impact hammer with a blunt attachment.

 

[CleverUserName]

Has a limited lifetime warranty...I would take my chances for ease to obtain, and much lower price.

I don't care about the price. It's a hassle taking my car in for repairs and dealing with rides back and forth. I just want it fixed with a good part that will last another 10 years or longer.

If they were the same price, would you get the GSP or Duralast axle if they are both Chinese?

 

[DriveHard]

I don't care about the price. It's a hassle taking my car in for repairs and dealing with rides back and forth. I just want it fixed with a good part that will last another 10 years or longer.

If they were the same price, would you get the GSP or Duralast axle if they are both Chinese?

whichever was easier/faster to get to my door...but I would do the labor myself, it takes less than an hour to swap a half shaft.

 

[CleverUserName]

So what if it's a Chinese part. Most things are today. It is made to a spec that I have seen to be perfectly equal to OEM's I have replaced. Furthermore - the "non Chinese" axle on the car now failed, right? With that I rest my case.

It's an AcDelco part, so it may actually be Chinese. Regardless, I'd rather have something quality than a $60 axle. It has a +50 HP tune too, I'd replace it with something stronger if possible.

I think it failed because it was damaged when I had the struts replaced with Bilstein B6s and new bushings installed. My former mechanic complained about how the job sucked and he didn't always do good work.

you could give these guys a call and see what they could do for you.
https://www.raxles.com/

I already contacted them. Raxles they won't do custom stuff, just VW, Audi.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

I don't care about the price. It's a hassle taking my car in for repairs and dealing with rides back and forth. I just want it fixed with a good part that will last another 10 years or longer.

If they were the same price, would you get the GSP or Duralast axle if they are both Chinese?

I'd be inclined to trust the GSP better, since you don't know where the stores source their house brand parts from

But like Drivehard said, whichever comes faster to your door is another consideration, and there Autozones across the country.

GSP and Trakmotive are the biggest name brands in Chinese aftermarket axles.

 

[D60]

If you really wanna get custom, get an inexpensive Chinese and then source thermoplastic boots and install them. You'll almost need the dims and rib count from the aftermarket axle in question.

If the Chinese doesn't vibrate immediately, it's premature neoprene boot failure that will kill it in about a year give or take a couple months.

 

[Bluestream]

Go Chinese...2014 and part not available? No wonder GM is struggling. I can still get most parts for my 91 BMW, although not always at a reasonable price

 

[CleverUserName]

Go Chinese...2014 and part not available? No wonder GM is struggling. I can still get most parts for my 91 BMW, although not always at a reasonable price

Yes, 10 years old and diesel specific parts are NLA. I was looking for the 2 u-joints on the axle to just replace those and the outer joint is more common and used on other GM cars until 2020 and it is NLA! A 4 year old car could potentially have NLA parts. Thanks GM you’re awesome!

The inner joint is still available BTW but the outer is NLA.

I think I’m going to order a junkyard axle and get it rebuilt for my needs.