GSP Axles (Advance) - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Archdukeferd · #1 11-29-2009, 07:51 PM

I installed a set of new GSP axles for the rear of my 300D on nov 15th. That was against the advice of some members on the forum who had reported bad experience with GSP axles before. I'd used their axles multiple times in subarus with no ill effect but those are simpler shafts (despite seeing steering angles).

All the bolts in my left side shaft came unthreaded and I was left with no propulsion this afternoon. Luckily I was in a parking lot close to home and just crawled under, threaded them back in then tightened with some channel locks (all I had with me at the time). Got home and tightened them down with the proper allen key.

Since I've heard of this same thing happening to other members and noticed that none of the bolts had any threadlocker on them...

I started this thread to suggest that anyone going the el cheapo route at least remove the bolts and loctite them before installing the shafts. You get what you pay for but if the GSP shafts are your only option, help yourself with this at the time of install.

For my case, the boots are all still fine and I'm going to add some threadlocker and some grease to the joint then bolt it up and run it until it breaks. I'll take the bolts out of the other side and give them the loctite treatment just as a precaution too.

cook · #2 11-29-2009, 08:56 PM

My GSP axles have both failed within 8 months. The outer joints were leaking grease.

As I was in the process of replacting them, I decided to email GSP about the problem. In the course of the emails, we talked about the loose bolt problem on the inner joints. I was asking if there was a way I could tell from the numbers on the box if an axle would be one of the ones they had a problem with. Their tec said that was a problem they had a few years ago, and they recalled the problem axles from the dealers, and that I should not worry about getting an axle with that problem. I think I will email the tech. again to let him know it happened again.

I was wondering...
Where did you get the GSP axles from (Advance Discount Auto, right?)
When did you purchase them?

And do you still have the box? If so. was there a number like this on the box?... GSP770E27097 If so, what was your number?

Also, are there any other numbers on the box except for the barcode and NCV48998?

I want to forward that info to the GSP tech.

PM me if you would like the tech at GSP I have been talking with.

okyoureabeast · #3 11-29-2009, 09:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cook

My GSP axles have both failed within 8 months. The outer joints were leaking grease.

As I was in the process of replacting them, I decided to email GSP about the problem. In the course of the emails, we talked about the loose bolt problem on the inner joints. I was asking if there was a way I could tell from the numbers on the box if an axle would be one of the ones they had a problem with. Their tec said that was a problem they had a few years ago, and they recalled the problem axles from the dealers, and that I should not worry about getting an axle with that problem. I think I will email the tech. again to let him know it happened again.

I was wondering...
Where did you get the GSP axles from (Advance Discount Auto, right?)
When did you purchase them?

And do you still have the box? If so. was there a number like this on the box?... GSP770E27097 If so, what was your number?

Also, are there any other numbers on the box except for the barcode and NCV48998?

I want to forward that info to the GSP tech.

PM me if you would like the tech at GSP I have been talking with.

I'm in the market for new axles. This is good news. Did you do the return through GSP? If so did you reinstall the new axles? How are they holding up?

chasinthesun · #4 11-29-2009, 09:32 PM

Oreillys had a match price gaurantee when I did mine,theirs were $125 more than the Advance ones .I year and holding up perty good.

cook · #5 11-29-2009, 09:37 PM

I did the return via Advanced Discount Auto, the place I purchased them from.

These come with a limited liftetime warranty. It is lifetime because if they ever fail, you get another one at no cost. It is a limited warranty because you can only replace it once under the warranty. The replacement has no lifetime warranty. If it fails, you have to buy one to replace it.

Well, maybe the replacement will have a 30 day or 90 day replacement if it fails that fast, but I did not verify that with Advance. I do remember hearing one of the guys at Advance mention it though.

Anyway, I just got my replacements installed, and have not driven the car yet. I will do so tomorrow.

Ian White · #6 11-29-2009, 11:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cook

I did the return via Advanced Discount Auto, the place I purchased them from.

These come with a limited liftetime warranty. It is lifetime because if they ever fail, you get another one at no cost. It is a limited warranty because you can only replace it once under the warranty. The replacement has no lifetime warranty. If it fails, you have to buy one to replace it.

Well, maybe the replacement will have a 30 day or 90 day replacement if it fails that fast, but I did not verify that with Advance. I do remember hearing one of the guys at Advance mention it though.

Anyway, I just got my replacements installed, and have not driven the car yet. I will do so tomorrow.

I am facing a rebooting issue, how are they to remove and reinstall?

Archdukeferd · #7 11-30-2009, 08:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cook

These come with a limited liftetime warranty. It is lifetime because if they ever fail, you get another one at no cost. It is a limited warranty because you can only replace it once under the warranty. The replacement has no lifetime warranty. If it fails, you have to buy one to replace it.

I'd check on that, the advance where I purchased mine told me the warranty was limited to manufacturing and workmanship defects. Things like joint failure and boot failure after a certain amount of time (a year I seem to recall) would not be covered.

As for my joint that unthreaded its bolts, I do still have the boxes and they were purchased from advance 11/14/09. I'll PM you because I would like to send my information to the tech.

BHutch · #8 11-30-2009, 09:45 AM

Not to hijack, but does anyone have an opinion on FEQ axles?

swheele2 · #9 11-30-2009, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Archdukeferd

I installed a set of new GSP axles for the rear of my 300D on nov 15th. That was against the advice of some members on the forum who had reported bad experience with GSP axles before. I'd used their axles multiple times in subarus with no ill effect but those are simpler shafts (despite seeing steering angles).

All the bolts in my left side shaft came unthreaded and I was left with no propulsion this afternoon. Luckily I was in a parking lot close to home and just crawled under, threaded them back in then tightened with some channel locks (all I had with me at the time). Got home and tightened them down with the proper allen key.

Since I've heard of this same thing happening to other members and noticed that none of the bolts had any threadlocker on them...

I started this thread to suggest that anyone going the el cheapo route at least remove the bolts and loctite them before installing the shafts. You get what you pay for but if the GSP shafts are your only option, help yourself with this at the time of install.

For my case, the boots are all still fine and I'm going to add some threadlocker and some grease to the joint then bolt it up and run it until it breaks. I'll take the bolts out of the other side and give them the loctite treatment just as a precaution too.

Welcome to the club! (previous thread: http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=262186)

Make sure you didn't lose the gasket that fits between the two flanges of the inner joint. I found my gasket sitting on top of the rear trailing arm when this happened to me. I returned both axles to AA for a store credit.

Some day one of these is going to self-destruct when someone is barreling down a busy road. I'm glad this happened to you in a parking lot. Everyone with GSP axles really should go check the integrity of that inner joint.

I'll definitely second the recommendation to add some thread-locker to the bolts before installation for anyone going to GSP route.

cook · #10 11-30-2009, 09:55 PM

Just as I was finishing up my install, I noticed that both boots on one of the axles are not on tight enough. The metal strap that holds the boot on is too loose, and you can easily pull the boot so it moves off its mounting area. This is the strap on the joint, not the one on the shaft.

Ugh!

So Advance Auto is checking with GSP on how they want to handle this.

I told him that I imagine I could re-do the metal strap and get it on tight, but I would need a tool to help get it tight enough and lock it down.

We shall see what happens.

Here is my score card so far: out of 4 axles, 3 have been bad.

If I had known this beforehand, I would have had my originals rebuilt. All they needed was new boots. They would have fit right, the spacers would have been right, and I would have been done with the whole thing 1 time, a year ago. I still have my original axles, and may still end up doing that, but $$$ is tight at the moment, so I need to see how the GSP axles play out.

One thing I also noticed, is that Advance Discount Auto did not ask for any information about what failed with my axles. Which means they just go back to GSP with no explanation about what was wrong. I wonder if GSP keeps track of what has failed? -- This is something that I hope I can talk about with their tech, just to see how it all works at GSP with the returns.

Stay tuned. It will be a few days before I have any results though.

Archdukeferd · #11 12-02-2009, 12:02 AM

Fixed one side today with red loctite and while I was at it decided to check the other side. Wasn't hand loose but got several turns on the bolts with the allen on ratchet.

So both joints would have come apart, that's out of control. I'm thinking about just tacking each bolt to the flange to be dead sure...

cook · #12 12-05-2009, 03:14 PM

Don't forget to send me the info from your axle boxes. The tech at GSP would like that info. I was encouraged that he wanted to know about the problems we have had.

I must admit, GSP and Avdance auto are doing all they can to help me get a good set of axles on my car.

pmckechnie · #13 12-05-2009, 05:55 PM

We will never use GSP axles in our shop again. The quality has gone the way of most things in this country. GSP was a US company and had a good reputation and good products. When the economy started going down, they sold out to a Chinese company and manufacturing went to China.
Enough said.
Paul