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  #11  
Old 10-03-2018, 10:29 PM
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Well Fuuuuck meeee.

So you're not going to believe this because I hardly can. After resolving the additional seal collar issue with the rebuilt axle, guess what happened to me yesterday morning? If you guessed the inner axle became unseated again you would be right. I knew it was nothing I had done to cause it. It was in as far as it could go but this time it cost me a $120 towing bill and a lost day of work. I'm a home inspector and clients and their agents don't like it when you call and tell them you can't make it.

I get the thing home, I grab a drift and hammer and I seat the inner assembly until it's kissing the diff. I reach in with my hands, give a tug and the inner shaft pops out. WTF?

Eventually I come up with the brilliant idea of replacing their inner shaft assembly with my old one. Yeah I could have just replaced the spring clip but the BMW boots have more ribs and are just higher quality. Besides, there was nothing wrong with inner shaft and joint and I like using my BFH. After assembly and installation I'm happy to report that the old shaft will not come away from the diff with a simple tug. Not even a hard tug.

Do you want to know what tops all of this? The replacement axle nut they sent was the wrong thread. I'm just flabergasted. I sent the Detroit Axle customer service department a nice long letter letting them know what I think of their product, quality control and that I lost a day of work, a contract and $120 for towing not to mention 3 days of frustration. I cannot wait for their response. I believe you get what you pay for. This axle was cheap but damnit, I was really hoping an American company would come through for me. I had so much hope. Lesson learned. Stick to OEM. I've never had a issue with any OEM product in my life. I hate learning lessons like this at my age.
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Last edited by 1BADM6; 10-03-2018 at 11:52 PM.
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  #12  
Old 10-05-2018, 08:17 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 1BADM6 View Post
e39 touring you nailed it! The CV axle assembly wasn't engage with the diff. I tried seating it again with no love so I pulled the assembly and compared it with the old one. What I saw made me scratch my head. The shaft, where it mates to the diff, has a steel collar or spacer that the diff seal seats against. The collar on the new(rebuilt) shaft was twice as thick as the previous. I removed the old collar and installed on the new shaft and put everything back together. I cleared the codes and off I went. Zero issues.

My guess is after disassembly these guys stack those collars and grab them when needed for reassembly. Some moron grabbed two and installed them onto this shaft. I'm pretty disappointed because when I was looking for a replacement assembly it made me feel good to support an American company with American workers. The name of the company is Detroit Axle and I will never use their parts again. The CV boots were of poor quality as well. I anticipate another torn boot within I couple of years, if I could be so lucky they last that long. What a bummer but all is well. Now on to the Depo headlights installation. So grateful to you members of this board. Great job diagnosing!
Detroit Axle may have a USA sounding name and you would be inclined to assume that the parts are manufactured in the good old USA, but that is where you are WRONG. Most parts are made in CHINA.
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  #13  
Old 10-08-2018, 09:53 AM
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^This - pay the extra bucks for the GKN axle and "do it right or do it twice"
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  #14  
Old 10-09-2018, 12:34 AM
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Then this won't surprise you. I sent them an email voicing my displeasure and asking for a refund but do you think I've heard back from them? There also seems to be some friction in the outer joint. It does not rotate smooth and gets hung up when rotating by hand. I noticed this when it was on the bench. I'm going to order another axle but not from them.
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  #15  
Old 10-09-2018, 09:04 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 1BADM6 View Post
Then this won't surprise you. I sent them an email voicing my displeasure and asking for a refund but do you think I've heard back from them? There also seems to be some friction in the outer joint. It does not rotate smooth and gets hung up when rotating by hand. I noticed this when it was on the bench. I'm going to order another axle but not from them.
Nope to answer your question.

What was wrong with the OEM BMW axle? A torn boot can be rebooted and a clicking outer CV joint can be replaced. I would rather reboot an OEM BMW axle instead of replacing with a made in China axle.
__________________
2006 Infiniti G35
2001 BMW 3.0I E53 X5 Build date 08/2000 SOLD
Lotus Europa 1970 Destroyed by fire
Lotus Europa 1970 S2 Renault Powered
Lotus Type 52 1970 Twincam Webers Powered
PORSCHE 911 Targa 1982 The Garage Queen
Audi Avant donated to Kars for Kids
BMW 525IT Sold
Audi 4000CS Quattro Sold
Jensen Healey Lotus Powered Sold
Opel 1900 Sold
Triumph Spitfire 1971 Sold
Triumph Spitfire 1968 Sold
Plymouth "Cuda" 340 Six pack SOLD
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