# Bad axle? Help! **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Created:** [June 8, 2012, 2:45am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/bad-axle-help/72934 "2012-06-08T02:45:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![mattT](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/46a35a/32.png) [@mattT](https://community.cartalk.com/u/mattT)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2012, 2:45am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/bad-axle-help/72934/1 "2012-06-08T02:45:09Z")
'90 Nissan Maxima…i replaced my passenger side axle a few weeks ago (boot was torn) with no problem. The other week i replaced the drivers side (it was clicking) which caused problems. After installing, I heard metal clanking sounds, the car vibrated while accelerating and felt like something was “loose”. I reintstalled that axle after turning it 90 degrees, which i heard may fix it, but it did not. This axle was a “new” EMPI brand. I figured the axle was bad, so i ordered another one (remanufactured from NAPA). I installed it the other day and it is much better, however I still notice some vibration/shaking while accelerating (around 2000 rpm)…something still feels wrong. What could it be? I have to believe it is one of the axles, not the motor. Thanks for your help. ---
**Author:** ![RemcoW](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/remcow/32/2471_2.png) [@RemcoW](https://community.cartalk.com/u/RemcoW)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2012, 2:49am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/bad-axle-help/72934/2 "2012-06-08T02:49:39Z")
Just from experience with stuff EMPI makes for Aircooled VW’s I can say it is mostly junk. Did the original shaft have a harmonic balancer installed? It looks like a fat hockey puck that the half shaft goes through. ---
**Author:** ![mattT](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/46a35a/32.png) [@mattT](https://community.cartalk.com/u/mattT)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2012, 3:10am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/bad-axle-help/72934/3 "2012-06-08T03:10:14Z")
i didnt see a harmonic balancer…I replaced the EMPI with a oe remanufactured, it is much better but still vibration under acceleration sometimes. ---
**Author:** ![keith](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/keith/32/5518_2.png) [@keith](https://community.cartalk.com/u/keith)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2012, 3:38am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/bad-axle-help/72934/4 "2012-06-08T03:38:46Z")
I’ve had really good luck with the EMPI axles. Did you return it for a refund? ---
**Author:** ![WesternRoadtripper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a698b9/32.png) [@WesternRoadtripper](https://community.cartalk.com/u/WesternRoadtripper)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2012, 5:06am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/bad-axle-help/72934/5 "2012-06-08T05:06:57Z")
@ MattT I bought an axle from Napa (sorry, don’t have the mfg) that failed in about 10k / 13 months on my 90 Dodge Caravan. The guy I usually deal with at the store admitted they’d had some bad axles, so he warrantied it without hesitation. Now I have a peculiar subtle shake _under acceleration_, like you describe. It’s a side to side motion, which I first noticed a few months after installing the replacement. I’m not sure I can blame that on the axle but it resembles a problem I had six or so years back, shaking on acceleration, which was solved by replacing an axle. This car is now mostly retired, so I probably won’t pursue repair. Hope this helps you judge your situation. ---
**Author:** ![mattT](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/46a35a/32.png) [@mattT](https://community.cartalk.com/u/mattT)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2012, 5:39am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/bad-axle-help/72934/6 "2012-06-08T05:39:53Z")
I am returning the EMIP one…I will probably also return the NAPA one…is it better to go reman or new axle? I am just suprised I can’t get a decent axle. I have heard of raxles…anybody use them? ---
**Author:** ![RemcoW](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/remcow/32/2471_2.png) [@RemcoW](https://community.cartalk.com/u/RemcoW)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2012, 6:10am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/bad-axle-help/72934/7 "2012-06-08T06:10:02Z")
I’ve had good luck with this place in Groton, CT. ([http://www.fcpgroton.com](http://www.fcpgroton.com)) Initially I picked it because they are relatively local and can get the shaft in two days shipped for cheap. Their quality has been good so been using them since whenever I need a drive shaft. ---
**Author:** ![Big\_Marc](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/9d8465/32.png) [@Big\_Marc](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Big_Marc)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2012, 5:03pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/bad-axle-help/72934/8 "2012-06-08T17:03:50Z")
Have dyou checked the engaine mounts? ---
**Author:** ![mattT](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/46a35a/32.png) [@mattT](https://community.cartalk.com/u/mattT)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2012, 4:37am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/bad-axle-help/72934/9 "2012-06-09T04:37:16Z")
Yeah…engine mounts are good…i bit the bullet and ordered from Raxles…costed 150.00, but i dont want to take the chance on another bad one. Guy from Raxles said a lot of the cheap axles are made in China and arent very good quality. I really hope this fixes the problem. ---
**Author:** ![shadowfax](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/shadowfax/32/13026_2.png) [@shadowfax](https://community.cartalk.com/u/shadowfax)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2012, 8:16am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/bad-axle-help/72934/10 "2012-06-09T08:16:02Z")
I’ve had really good luck with Raxles. I get them whenever I can (they don’t make 'em for all cars).