After 188K miles, they both went

So I need to fix this. I was just thinking getting some replacement axles at the local Autozone or Pep Boys.

I replaced the CV axle on my 88 Camry, so I figure this one isn't too much harder.

I read some articles on this, and it refrerred to replacing the transmission seal.

I was wondering if anyone remembered which part it was? I am guessing it's 38342P and 38342Q Thanks

 

Yeah, that looks like the seals, but if they are not currently leaking I would leave them alone. They are usually good about holding up if not abused during axle installation.

Oh, and BTW, I've done axles on a Camry. Maximas are way easier.

 

replace the seal, it's better to do it while you're doing the axle than to curse yourself later when you'll have to pull the axle again.
the seal should be less than $10 even at the dealer.
you have a GXE so your stuff is easy to find.

 

Definitely get rebuilt axles, much less hassle and effort, plus the old ones have to be worn as well. I think I paid about $130 total for both of mine locally. Installation was fairly easy but the passenger side is a PITA to get the carrier out. Just get a decent prybar or very solid large screwdriver and some wd-40 and work both sides til it comes free. 2 prybars, one on each side would be the ideal method and good luck getting out the top bolt that holds it, its nearly impossible to get to it with the exhaust in the car. (I said nearly, obviously it can be done.)

 

why mess around with rebuilts when you can get new ones for the same price roughly???

 

The dealer's preference is to leave the axle seals alone unless they are already leaking. I don't necessarily disagree with it after dealing with mine. There are quite a few different part #s depending on the tranny, too. (For example on the manual transmission there are 4 different axle #s on each side.) We got held up when not only I was sold wrong axles, but a wrong axle seal on the passenger side as well. (2 different stealerships)

If you are gong to do the job, you might want to pick up 2 pieces of pvc with the same or barely less outside diameter. We welded some up with pipe, but the pvc would work fine.

 

PVC pipe is to change the seals or?

 

Well if its a decent rebuilder, its practically new anyway. You get new bearings, races and boots, its not a complicated part like a fuel injector or alternator. Some things are not that big a risk. Besides, I dont see it being that close of a price, seems to be about 50% more expensive.

 

all the rebuilder does is reboot it and tumble the ***** so they are smooth again.

tolerances aren't there like there is on new ones.
rebuilts typically run about $60
the new ones run roughly the same $60 around here.

 

To be able to bang them in evenly.

 

Then I stand corrected.............

 

Autozone gave me mine for $90, with 30 core charge, so 60 for me.
if they're rebuilt, so-be-it. I couldn't find new ones, and the dealership is a last resort for me (i think they wanted 100 ea. no core charge?) also with new ones, you end up with halfshafts laying around for no good reason...

 

Raxles.com is the place where you can get some of the best axles around. Good for me they are only about a 15 min. drive from here. Bad for me is that they are a little over $100 each, but come with a lifetime warranty. And I only need the driver's side, since I replaced the passenger side just a couple years ago.

 

I'm gonna have to disagree for once. You'll curse yourself when you decide to change good seals and end up getting a new transmission later because you couldn't get the seal in properly. Take it from experience lol

If they dont look wet AT ALL dont touch em, if they do...then get yourself a helper, a socket the size of the seal, a 4-5 ft extension to go in the socket then go under the car and hold the socket and seal straight while the other person hammers from the outside cuz with that Y pipe in the way, you're not hammering in anything.

 

If you decide to buy new boots, make sure that you don't get the split boots. They're easier to install but almost always fail prematurely. Also, those ties that hold down the boot aren't re-usable even though they look like they are...so make sure you get it right the first time. Just a bit of info for ya...

 

Once you pull the axles the seal will leak!