rear axle woes... .015 too big
 

I tried installing a set of GSP or GXP (spelling?) axles from Advance Auto and it was not fun.

The removal was somewhat easy maybe 5 out of a 10 scale. Jeesh that gear lube stinks :( Just pulled the driver side to see how the whole process goes and then planned to pull the passenger side.

Went to install the new driver side axle and the outboard axle stub won't go into the hub no more than 1/2" or so. Even tried to force them in a little but no go. I took it out and used my calipers to measure and it seems the aftermarket axles are about .015 too big. The splines also appear to be slightly higher, as in more raised. The difference would be hard to show n a photo but clearly visible upon visual inspection. The diff. side went in fine.

Took these back, went to AutoZone and ordered a new (not rebuilt) set of Duralast brand axles. AZ matched AA price of 69.99 from 129.99, we'll see if they are any better when they show up on Wed. I hope they are not GSP/GXP just rebranded.

Anyone ever have this problem before?

The worst smell in automotive repair for sure... and if you get it on your clothes it will be there forever.

Use the search and read up on axles.

I think you will find any 'new' axles to be machined wrong unless they came from MB.

I've read just about every axle post out there. I must have missed the ones where they discussed axle diameters being off. Can you provide a link?...it would be very much appreciated.

I threw up a little when I got it on my shirt.

I didn't see that you tried this, but did you jack up and lower the differential at all? I found I had to lower it up and down randomly to be able to fit it in correctly.

Gear lube is an instant vomit ticket. Worst smell ever.

Anyone try the Duralast axles from Autozone?

Search for my post regarding aftermarket axles. I have found all of them to have a radius machining on the inner stub where the spacer needs to lay flat. Also, most have too large of a retaining clip groove.

If your original axles only need CV boots then look for the Astoria FB-3001 stretch boots which cost around $17-20 each.

If you read all the axle posts, you would have come across mine not recommending the GSPs. I put a set in and they immediately made noise when I went for a test run. I took them out and just rebooted my axles.

Advance took them back.

my axles are probably shot ... too much noise and vibration for me to take a chance and reboot

are your findings specific to the Duralast axles or just aftermarket axles in general?

I've also read posts where the GSP axles have performed well. My process is to read posts, look at everyone's opinions and results and roll the dice after as much research as I can digest.....and hope for the best. Not much else to do unless you have a crystal ball :)

I might have prematurely ended my GSP experience by not trying to pull the axle stub into the hub with a length of all thread and washers...in essence duplicating the Mercedes tool mentioned in some posts. I only found this technique after subsequent re-research. I also might have been lapse in not trying to raise and lower the diff more or spent more time trying to fanagle and coax the parts more than I had.

I was impressed with the build quality of the parts as much as I could see from an external viewpoint. I did not pull the parts apart for an internal inspection or analysis. I just wish I could have had the parts installed in the afternoon that I had planned :(

I too was quite impressed with the GSP appearance. They appeared very well built. Although I did notice the splines were not perfect.

If your axles are shot and you don't want to spend the money for new or rebuilt axles, find a salvage yard that has a W123 and grab the axles to reboot.

X2 on the salvage yards. I have pulled several 126 and 123 axles in very good condition.

I pulled one off an old rusty beat up 240D, that was "Brand New" for $25. :D hardly had any dust on it.

Now with the Clunker program, there are a ton of low milage axles available. though most II generation.

Can`t hurt to look.

Charlie

I have about 10k on my GSP's in the 82 with no problems so far.
I did have to surface grind an axle spacer to fit since the gap was way too small for the original spacer thickness.

Well the new, not reman, auto zone axles showed up today at the store and I stopped by after work to pick them up. Nice packaging, but emblazened on the Duralast box in big letters is "REMANUFACTURED". I open one box and it looks brand new :) I close it up and off I go confident that the other is the same and they were just misboxed. Whats the old saying when you assume, you usually end up as an A**. Well it rings true. Got back to the house and opened the other box and it was clearly a reman, it was stamped "REMAN" on the in board can which and was different in style from the "new" looking axle in the other box which after closer inspection was stamped reman but in much smaller letters. Put them back in their boxes and went back to AZ along with one of my old axles to compare to.

Manager places a new order for a set of CarDone reman axles that look exactly like my old axles. Their CarDone axles are pictured at http://www.autozone.com/autozone/catalog/parts/partsProduct.jsp?itemIdentifier=447012_0_0_3399&skuDescription=Cardone+Reman+/+CV+Halfshaft&brandName=Cardone+Reman&displayName=CV+Halfshaft&categoryNValue=11299999&sortType=&sto re=472&isSearchByPartNumber=false&fromWhere=&fromString=search&counter=3&itemId=512-0&navValue=11200512&filterByKeyWord=cv+axle&productId=447012&searchText=cv+axle&categoryDisplayName= Drivetrain&parentId=12-0 Posted the link not as an advertisement, just showing it for the reference. Supposed to be reman'd in the USA. I'll see what the packaging and materials show when they arrive.

Should have a matching set of remans on Friday afternoon. Keeping my fingers crossed. If these don't work out then I am going to order a set through Pierre who hosts the Central FL GTG's.

I just sent a question through www.cardone.com asking if the axles were reman'd in the USA. I'm looking forward to their response.