Driver's side axle
05-02-2014, 05:19 AM
#1
Registered User
Thread Starter
Driver's side axle
I've been dealing with ongoing issue with heavy vibration when cornering. Details here: https://www.s2ki.com/s2000/topic/107...#entry23078519
I took a heavy right hand corner last night and the vibration was worse than I've ever felt before. It really kind of surprised me. The more I think about it, the more the evidence points to right hand turns over left hand turns. This makes me think the driver's side axle (which is under more stress with RH turns) has gone bad.
The options I have at this point are:
- Dither about and do nothing until some catastrophic failure happens
- Take it to the dealership and let them spend lots of time and even more money trying to fix the problem
- Act on a "best guess" of the left axle and get it replaced by a smaller shop.
At this point, knowing what I know, I'm going to go with option #3 and have the left axle replaced. My question for the forum is this:
Do I need an OEM axle or are aftermarket axles (from Partsgeek or similar) ok? The OEM axles are about $500 list while the aftermarket ones are $100-$150. That is a huge difference. Is there a big difference in quality? I don't need anything crazy here, just a basic OEM replacement. My car has basically stock power and I will not be boosting it at any time in the future. I do need it to stand up to aggressive cornering though.
I'm also open to the idea of getting a used OEM axle, though I'm concerned about potential wear on the axle and it's ability to stand up over time. Given the fact that mine seemed to have failed at 85k miles, I don't really want to buy a used one with 60k just to have it fail again in a few years.
What is my best option here?
I took a heavy right hand corner last night and the vibration was worse than I've ever felt before. It really kind of surprised me. The more I think about it, the more the evidence points to right hand turns over left hand turns. This makes me think the driver's side axle (which is under more stress with RH turns) has gone bad.
The options I have at this point are:
- Dither about and do nothing until some catastrophic failure happens
- Take it to the dealership and let them spend lots of time and even more money trying to fix the problem
- Act on a "best guess" of the left axle and get it replaced by a smaller shop.
At this point, knowing what I know, I'm going to go with option #3 and have the left axle replaced. My question for the forum is this:
Do I need an OEM axle or are aftermarket axles (from Partsgeek or similar) ok? The OEM axles are about $500 list while the aftermarket ones are $100-$150. That is a huge difference. Is there a big difference in quality? I don't need anything crazy here, just a basic OEM replacement. My car has basically stock power and I will not be boosting it at any time in the future. I do need it to stand up to aggressive cornering though.
I'm also open to the idea of getting a used OEM axle, though I'm concerned about potential wear on the axle and it's ability to stand up over time. Given the fact that mine seemed to have failed at 85k miles, I don't really want to buy a used one with 60k just to have it fail again in a few years.
What is my best option here?
05-02-2014, 07:24 AM
#2
Registered User
Thread Starter
For some context, here are my options from Partsgeek: http://www.partsgeek.com/catalog/200..._assembly.html
05-02-2014, 07:52 AM
#3
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I had the same Problem and buy the 500HP Insane Shafts but i´m not very happy with it. It´s better with the vibrations but not 100% . It vibrates between 50-60mph 
I think the best way is to get some OEM Axles .
You can first make the Inner CV joint swap . ( https://www.s2ki.com/s2000/topic/241...diy-with-pics/ )
I think the best way is to get some OEM Axles . You can first make the Inner CV joint swap . ( https://www.s2ki.com/s2000/topic/241...diy-with-pics/ )
05-02-2014, 07:59 AM
#4
Registered User
Thread Starter
CV cups have been swapped and did not change the vibrations at all. I strongly suspect the axle itself is bad. I'm tired of messing with this and just wanted it fixed. The axle itself is not that pricey and I've wasted too much time on this problem already.
05-02-2014, 12:50 PM
#5
Billman bas stated emphatically to use only oem axles. That all aftermarket for this car will result in vibration.
Maybe thats even your issue. Maybe a PO replaced that axle and used aftermarket.
Maybe thats even your issue. Maybe a PO replaced that axle and used aftermarket.
05-02-2014, 01:24 PM
#6
Registered User
Thread Starter
The axles are both identical in appearance and from everything I can tell, they are OEM.
Will a remanufactured axle be robust enough? These go for about $125 vs almost $500 for a new one.
Will a remanufactured axle be robust enough? These go for about $125 vs almost $500 for a new one.
Trending Topics
05-05-2014, 04:29 AM
#9
You can buy a great quality factory OEM rebuilt axle set from Gator axle in Orlando Florida. Do not buy a aftermarket axle as most have had bad luck with them. Most aftermarket axles have a solid axle shaft and this maybe the issue with them not working out as the factory axle is hallo.
A simple cup swap works for some but it's best if you take the time to de-burr the ware inside the cups and use a high quality CV grease to repack. If you really want to step it up you can buy a CV cup rebuild kit from Honda that will replace all ware parts on the inbound side of the axle. You can also buy a factory rebuild kit for the outbound too.
Here is a thread I made on doing a refurbishing of the factory axle, there is some good info on what to do and what to use for grease.
https://www.s2ki.com/s2000/topic/106...#entry22945808
A simple cup swap works for some but it's best if you take the time to de-burr the ware inside the cups and use a high quality CV grease to repack. If you really want to step it up you can buy a CV cup rebuild kit from Honda that will replace all ware parts on the inbound side of the axle. You can also buy a factory rebuild kit for the outbound too.
Here is a thread I made on doing a refurbishing of the factory axle, there is some good info on what to do and what to use for grease.
https://www.s2ki.com/s2000/topic/106...#entry22945808
05-05-2014, 04:44 AM
#10
Registered User
Thread Starter
You can buy a great quality factory OEM rebuilt axle set from Gator axle in Orlando Florida. Do not buy a aftermarket axle as most have had bad luck with them. Most aftermarket axles have a solid axle shaft and this maybe the issue with them not working out as the factory axle is hallo.
A simple cup swap works for some but it's best if you take the time to de-burr the ware inside the cups and use a high quality CV grease to repack. If you really want to step it up you can buy a CV cup rebuild kit from Honda that will replace all ware parts on the inbound side of the axle. You can also buy a factory rebuild kit for the outbound too.
Here is a thread I made on doing a refurbishing of the factory axle, there is some good info on what to do and what to use for grease.
https://www.s2ki.com/...1#entry22945808
A simple cup swap works for some but it's best if you take the time to de-burr the ware inside the cups and use a high quality CV grease to repack. If you really want to step it up you can buy a CV cup rebuild kit from Honda that will replace all ware parts on the inbound side of the axle. You can also buy a factory rebuild kit for the outbound too.
Here is a thread I made on doing a refurbishing of the factory axle, there is some good info on what to do and what to use for grease.
https://www.s2ki.com/...1#entry22945808
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post