CV halfshaft on '96 Lexus ES300

[rainman49]

Driver's side shaft is starting to make noise during right-hand turn. Appears it's not a bad job for a DIYer. My question is where would you go to get a halfshaft. I'm planning to buy new instead of remanned because the price difference isn't much. O'Reilly's has Master Pro brand. Autozone has Duralast (doesn't say if remanned or not) and Advance has new Cardone or GSP.
Thanks,
Rainman

 

[01rangerxl]

It probably does not really matter much. I would shop based on what the warranty is.

 

[The Critic]

I heard GSP is pretty good.

A1 Cardone is probably OK too, though I only have experience with their water pumps.

GSP and A1 Cardone are both $53.

 

[Doc8404]

try http://www.rockauto.com

 

[Merkava_4]

I would definitely want a lifetime warrantee on a part like that.

 

[alreadygone]

Lifetime warranty reman'll outlast vehicle.

Bob

 

[Merkava_4]

Originally Posted By: alreadygone
Lifetime warranty reman'll outlast vehicle.


That may be, but a lot of times the receipts are not transfered between owners; nor does an owner usually pull the CV shaft off before sending the car to the salvage yard to be crushed.

 

[Eddie]

Considering the difficulty in doing a half-shaft replacement (I've done 3) I would consider a new OEM one or OEm remanufactured. There is nothing worse that doing that kind of job over & over. A lifetime warranty is a sales gimmick since labor is often the most expense. Either OEM or OEM approved. Subaru for instance sells new or factory remanufactured. JMO Ed

 

[alreadygone]

"Considering the difficulty in doing a half-shaft replacement (I've done 3) I would consider a new OEM one or OEm remanufactured."

Done hundreds, have allways thought they were a piece of cake! You don't honestly think auto manufacturer does actual reman of dealer remanufactured do you?

While they must meet minimum specs, actual reman work is farmed out to who ever will bid it the cheapest. By the time vehicle has enough miles to need a new axle, a quality replacement reman will be the best part of the car,,,,,,till something else has to be replaced!

Bob

 

[rainman49]

Went with new A1-Cardone from a local auto parts place instead of chain. Only $6 more than AAP and much better advice and information. Had to drive it around a little bit to get the grease into the inside joint so it would stop groaning on a hard right turn, but once the grease got evenly distributed it's been quiet as a mouse. Thanks for the recommendations.
Rainman

 

[benjamming]

What grease did you use? A1 supplied?

 

[rainman49]

Benjamming, I've been out of town for the holidays. Used packet that came with the halfshaft. There was plenty of it.

 

[Blake Sobiloff]

Sorry I didn't see this thread sooner. Over the last three or four months I've replaced both half-shafts on my girlfriend's Altima and used the remanufactured axles from raxles.com. Really high quality parts, and the joints are packed with Amsoil grease, for just a few bucks more than the cheapie junk sold at the local parts stores. They throw in some paper shop towels and nitrile gloves with each half-shaft, and they also include a pre-paid return shipping label and printed driving directions to the nearest UPS Store so you can return the old axle. I was really impressed with them.

 

[Hootbro]

Originally Posted By: rsylvstr
try http://www.rockauto.com


Rockauto is great but when you have to deal with core charges and returns, it is better to buy from a local parts store.

Hootbro