Axles for a 96 GT

[dlascoskie]

I need to replace 1 axle in my 96 GT. The car has 120 miles on it, but mileage was not the cause of the bent axle. The original one was snapped in an accident, the current one was bought used from a "reliable" source and it's not straight, so I'm purchasing a new one(s). I'm staying with the stock 28 spline. A few quick questions for you guys:

1. Is it a problem to just change out 1 axle, or should I swap both out while I'm in there and start brand new across the board?
2. What companies do you recommend, and what companies (brands) should I stay away from?
3. Anything else I should consider?

Thanks for the help.

 

[squares98]

While you are in there i would replace both for peice of mind. I know superior, currie, ford, and strange make good axles.
Have your done any rear end maintnence latly, if not you might want to do a bearing refresh while you are in there.

 

[tomustang]

i think i have an axle laying around somewhere

 

[dlascoskie]

how much are you asking?

And Square, thanks for the advice. I noticed that most new axle pairs include new bearings and seals. I definately plan on change the bearing and seal on the driver side, and I'm leaning towards doing the passenger side too because, like you said, it will give me peace of mind.

 

[tomustang]

well first i'd have to ask you if you have ABS, if not it'd be a pain in the ass taking the ABS ring off your old axle, you'd probably end up wrecking it

 

[ab 281 gt]

I have two axles for sale. I sent you a pm.

Let me know if you're interested.

 

[tomustang]

I have two axles for sale. http://forums.************.com/showthread.php?t=88842

Let me know if you're interested.

 

[ab 281 gt]

Haha yeah. Oh well, I sent him a pm instead.

 

[Gearbanger 101]

Haha yeah. Oh well, I sent him a pm instead.

Way to hump all over Tom's sale.

 

[ab 281 gt]

Way to hump all over Tom's sale.

Way to hump Tom's nuts. I'm not making the kid buy anything. I'm just letting him know that I have some for sale.

 

[dlascoskie]

I do have ABS, so we shouldn't have any problems there, and I see that you're from Allentown, which is also good news, being that I'm from Reading, so shipping shouldn't be an issue.

 

[dlascoskie]

Anybody have any issues with Superior Axles? I'm gonna go with 2 new axles and all new bearings, seals, etc.

 

[d98gt]

I might possible have a bent on my passenger side. The car was put through a semi-spin but ended up catching really hard towards the end of it which just didn't feel right to me. I did avoid the wreck however. My current passenger rear tire is ate up on the inner area

Dlas, Where are you looking at buying your axles and what are the prices? I'm a cheap bastard and of course want the best deal that I can find (which is probably why i'll buy used if I do have a problem)

 

[dlascoskie]

Tomustang can attest that I'm having a hell of a time locating the axles I want. I currently have a Jegs, Summit and CJ Pony Parts catalog open in front of me, the Ford Racing Performance Parts, Steeda, Moser and Superior sites open and I've been on the phone with Moser and CJ's twice each already today. I feel like
The problem I'm running into is that I want new 28 spline axles with lugs installed and the ABS ring on too and bearings and seals, and unfortunatly it's a serious pain in the ass trying to coordinate all of that!
Nobody includes the ring (or even sells it) from what I can tell, meaning you have to have access to a very large press so you can press your old one's off yourself. And I don't feel like doing 500 measurements of my housing and axles for Moser, especially when they have the damn part number right there on their sheet! Whatever, I'm sure they're trying to be careful, but jeez! if every company did that for every part no one would sell anything. And I wasn't able to find and 28 spline axles on FRPP's site. Still working on that.
Anyway, to answer your question, unless you're buying Strange, you can expect to spend about $250 for the pair of axles (some companies like Superior include lugs, bearings and seals with that price in their Evolution Series line) I would recommend changing all seals and bearings if you're going to install axles, as I am fairly certain that I caused this bearing to cease by not swapping it out when I replaced the last axle with a used one.
Speaking of used axles............if you can get one from a reliable source, I see no problem with saving yourself a few extra bucks. However, I will say this.......... put new bearings in so they mate with the axle or you run the risk of having problems similar to mine. (NO FUN) Also, when buying used, it's buyer beware. You might be spending a quarter to save a nickel when you find out that the used axle you purchased is out of round or doesn't seal because it's slightly corroded, or breaks because it has hard miles on it. Just some things to think about.

 

[d98gt]

$250 a pair isn't all that bad. I was expecting it to be worse

Thanks for the advice and I hope you fix your problem

 

[dlascoskie]

I agree, $250 isn't bad.............it's getting all the goodies you want that's the tricky part.
Glad to here you avoided the accident, and good luck with your repairs.

 

[dlascoskie]

Here's some photos of the damaged axle

And some of my BBK LCA's that bound up, in case any of you are thinking of getting serious about suspension. (Hint Hint, buy Maximum Motorsport extra duty arms with spherical bearings )

 

[Gearbanger 101]

Hmmm, those bushings look pretty dry to me. Are you sure you were greasing them often enough? If not, that would definitely be reason enough to make them bind up on you.

 

[dlascoskie]

Hmmm, those bushings look pretty dry to me. Are you sure you were greasing them often enough? If not, that would definitely be reason enough to make them bind up on you.

I cleaned them off so that you could see them. They were on the car exactly 2 months, filled with grease through the zirk fittings till it came out the bushings.