Hi all,
The outer CV boot on the passenger side axle of my 5 speed 95 maxima is torn wide open. The car has not been driven much as all since this happened. I'm looking for input/advice on whether to explore rebuilding this axle, or going with the Nissan Value advantage axle as described below. The car has 75k original, gentle miles and I'm the original owner.
1) The OEM axle is no longer available and the only Nissan axle that is available is the Value Advantage one that is very likely to be made in China (according to what I have heard, read, and even saw on a box of one in the Parts counter display). I have always understood that the Value Advantage line is Nissan's more economical, line of parts. I have never used any of them because honestly, I have never had any major issues like this. I can only say that the VA air filter appeared much inferior to the OEM when I bought one. I'm not crazy about a made in China axle but, it is a Nissan part, so I guess that counts for something and presumably should be better than one from a standard parts place. I want to believe my OEM axle is better quality but one service manager said that even my OEM one was probably built in China in the first place too. I don't know.
2) The dealers are willing to rebuild the axle but to them, that means wiping off as much grease as they can and repacking with new grease and putting on new boots. I don't think that is a good route. There could be grit/sand in the grease that unless the entire assembly is degreased, would still be in there.
3) My other option is to see if the dealer is willing to remove the axle, have it sent to a reputable axle rebuilder here in Colorado for proper rebuilding, and therefore retain the original axle. However, it does have about 75k original miles on it, likely exposed to abrasive grit etc from the boot being torn, etc. I'm not sure the dealer will want to tie up a lift for probably 2 days. Then I run the risk that if the axle is cost prohibitive to rebuild, I will be looking at a diagnosis fee from the axle shop for the time to pick up and return, and effort to evaluate. Plus, I'm assuming in this scenario the rebuilt axle will be better than the VA axle. Hence this post!
Note, dealers I spoke with, except one, strongly advise the VA axle. They say it will have a 12 month/12k mile warranty. If I go with the VA axle, the axle shop advised me to at least keep the OEM axle for possible future use but I"m not crazy about storing a rather large car part in my already packed garage.
The outer CV boot on the passenger side axle of my 5 speed 95 maxima is torn wide open. The car has not been driven much as all since this happened. I'm looking for input/advice on whether to explore rebuilding this axle, or going with the Nissan Value advantage axle as described below. The car has 75k original, gentle miles and I'm the original owner.
1) The OEM axle is no longer available and the only Nissan axle that is available is the Value Advantage one that is very likely to be made in China (according to what I have heard, read, and even saw on a box of one in the Parts counter display). I have always understood that the Value Advantage line is Nissan's more economical, line of parts. I have never used any of them because honestly, I have never had any major issues like this. I can only say that the VA air filter appeared much inferior to the OEM when I bought one. I'm not crazy about a made in China axle but, it is a Nissan part, so I guess that counts for something and presumably should be better than one from a standard parts place. I want to believe my OEM axle is better quality but one service manager said that even my OEM one was probably built in China in the first place too. I don't know.
2) The dealers are willing to rebuild the axle but to them, that means wiping off as much grease as they can and repacking with new grease and putting on new boots. I don't think that is a good route. There could be grit/sand in the grease that unless the entire assembly is degreased, would still be in there.
3) My other option is to see if the dealer is willing to remove the axle, have it sent to a reputable axle rebuilder here in Colorado for proper rebuilding, and therefore retain the original axle. However, it does have about 75k original miles on it, likely exposed to abrasive grit etc from the boot being torn, etc. I'm not sure the dealer will want to tie up a lift for probably 2 days. Then I run the risk that if the axle is cost prohibitive to rebuild, I will be looking at a diagnosis fee from the axle shop for the time to pick up and return, and effort to evaluate. Plus, I'm assuming in this scenario the rebuilt axle will be better than the VA axle. Hence this post!
Note, dealers I spoke with, except one, strongly advise the VA axle. They say it will have a 12 month/12k mile warranty. If I go with the VA axle, the axle shop advised me to at least keep the OEM axle for possible future use but I"m not crazy about storing a rather large car part in my already packed garage.