Rear Axle Shaft from Autozone
 

Has anyone ever bought axle shafts from Autozone? Don't need it myself but I asked them the other day and they have them for $99.99 lifetime waranty plus $30 core charge....

W123

I've heard they are hit or miss in terms of quality. The best place to get them is from CVJ axles. They cost more but are OEM in terms of quality and reliability.

I have never bought CV axles for my Mercedes from AZ, but:
1. The rebuilt CV axle for my Pathfinder had no balls in the joint. When I went to engage 4wd the shaft would spin within the boot.
2. After 3 tries, they could no get the right axles for my Saab.

My vote is to stay away. You truly get what you pay for.

I had this same dilemma a few months ago. You get what you pay for is right!! It's nice that the Autozone axles have a good warranty, but it would still require me climbing underneath the car to do the same job AGAIN!! The CVJ axles are only a bit more money but a lot more on quality.

I set out on a 1700 mile treck to my sister's house but had to turn back after an hour because my t-stat chose that moment to fail closed and make my car overheat. Good thing it did because I was so close to home, also because when I was taking off from the first stop sign after getting off the interstate, I heard this clacking sound from the rear of the car. When I got back home I looked under there and one off my boots had completely torn and slung all the grease out quite some time ago. I needed the part in a hurry, the price was right, so was the lifetime warranty, so I went with an axle from AZ.

I was really suprised how easy the job was. The hardest part was cleaning off the diff cover to get to the bolts. Seriously, 1 hour of the two it took me was spent on cleaning it was that easy. Its been about 5k and they're still doing great. If it fails again in two or three years, no big deal. I can get new ones for free and would not mind in the least to do that job again.

According to them, CVJ remanufactures used MB axles so, in a way, you are getting an oem product. A 300D axle is around $142 + $50 core + $30 shipping, 1 yr wty.

They also reman secondary air injection (smog) pumps for the gassers...

Advanced Auto (parts america) got mine NEW for 89\\$89, so no core charge. They seem good so far. If there is an advanced auto in your area, check them first, but be ready, 'cause their computer won't list them. If you PM me, I can get you the right p/n, so that the counterperson can manually look them up.

Carquest & NAPA are good places to check too. I believe they also offer lifetime wty

I got a pair of the Cardone ones from Checker, which I think is the same as Autozone (?) back in October 06. These were something in that range- the total came out to about $300 for the pair with the core charge of about $60 each, I think, so $70 each or something.

After driving all winter (2-3k miles), the clacking just came back (March 07'). I took a look under there, and one of them had flung grease out from the seal in the "can." The other had issues too, and was actually the one making the noise, I think.

I got the free replacements (lifetime warrantee), which are now installed on the car, but personally, if I had the choice to go back, I would have just bought the CVJ ones for the little bit of extra money, and avoided the hassle of replacing them again. If it happens again, I will quit before I get any further behind and get the CVJs...

CVJ is hands down the best option.

I've got around 100K miles (just a guess, I don't remember the exact mileage, it may be more) on a pair of CVJs without any problems. I would buy them again. A "lifetime warrantee" on cheap parts is worthless if the labor to install them is equivalent to the value of the parts.

I just realized my math is really bad in the post up there, so I must have the core charge off... but anyway, you get the idea... it was around $300 for the pair.