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Any feedback on EMPI Drive Axles? 850

posted by  daidnik on  Wed Oct 21 14:36 CST 2009
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last visit: Thu Jan 20 22:02 CST 2011
[RELATED]

In the course of replacing struts, ball joints, etc, I now find that the original drive axle boots on the left side have leaks.

I see a brand EMPI available at Eeuroparts that are very reasonably priced.

Has anyone had experience with these?

I am intending to replace the drive axle as opposed to replacing the boots.








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    Any feedback on EMPI Drive Axles? 850

    posted by  someone claiming to be fixit2002 on  Thu Oct 22 02:23 CST 2009 [RELATED]

    If your back is in reasonably good shape there's really no need to remove the axle. I've done mine twice now with the axles on the car. With all that grease the CV joint should slip off pretty easy once the C clip is removed. Just remove the A arm mounting and the anti-sway bar bolts and swing the hub out of the way.








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    Any feedback on EMPI Drive Axles? 850

    posted by  jadnhm on  Wed Oct 21 16:18 CST 2009
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    last visit: Tue May 22 18:03 CST 2012
    [RELATED]

    I can't speak to those axles, but I do know that it's not the end of the world to replace the boots. I did it not that long ago and it was really easier than I thought it would be. A bench vise is a necessity, but it was pretty easy, and there was no wear inside my joint at all. New grease and a new boot and she's probably ready for another 200K (haha I wonder...)

    It was only ~$15 a side for the boot kits. Good way to save some cash.
    --
    1998 V70 AWD Turbo 195k+








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      Any feedback on EMPI Drive Axles? 850

      posted by  daidnik on  Wed Oct 21 17:12 CST 2009
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      last visit: Thu Jan 20 22:02 CST 2011
      [RELATED]

      I'm getting more interested in replacing the boots.

      To do so requires disassembly of the CV joints. How hard is this?

      I'm looking at a procedure in Vadis, and it doesn't look too hard. It does mention grinding a punch into a square profile with rounded corners so as not to catch on a circlip groove.

      Any word of wisdom or insights on the procedure?

      Vadis also cites jimmy bar tool to get the axle shaft free from the transmission. Did you experience any trouble with this?

      One other question:

      I've already got the struts out and the hub assy is still attached to the drive axles. Do you think getting the axle nut loose from the axle might be tough without a good counterhold?

      Since I am going to replace the brake hoses as well, I think I could pull the axle out with the hubb attached, then clamp the axle in a vise and use an impact driver on it.

      Any ideas on this?








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        Any feedback on EMPI Drive Axles? 850

        posted by  jadnhm on  Thu Oct 22 01:33 CST 2009
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        last visit: Tue May 22 18:03 CST 2012
        [RELATED]

        I did the pass side so there was no bar required to pull it out of the trans. I think it's harder on the driver's side, but I don't think it would be that hard. Also you'll have to do this to replace the axle anyway...

        I didn't use a punch of any kind when I took mine apart, just lots of rags to wipe out the old grease, a pair of snap ring pliers, and a hammer. Set the shaft in the vise, hold the circlip open and bang on the joint. There are a few good videos on youtube that show this pretty well.

        I always take the axle nut off while the car is still on the ground - take the center cap out of the wheels, set the emergency brake, maybe have a friend sit in the driver's seat and hold the brake pedal - then just turn it with a long breaker bar. I have a 1/2" breaker bar that's about 3 ft long that I use for this.

        I think if I were you I'd bolt it back on the strut and put the road wheel back on and do it the way I described.... up to you of course...







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          Any feedback on EMPI Drive Axles? 850

          posted by  daidnik on  Thu Oct 22 07:51 CST 2009
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          last visit: Thu Jan 20 22:02 CST 2011
          [RELATED]

          Thanks, I came to the same conclusion about setting it back on the ground to crack that nut loose. I'm going to take an impact wrench as well as a long breaker bar.







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