heynow

iTrader: (1)

I went for my state inspection today, and my mech said that i'm leaking ATF thru my driver's axle seal. He told me that we could just replace the seal, but the're a slight chance that it might leak again if there's play in the axle. He told me that the labor would be the same as replacing the axle, so that's an option as well.

Now, i really don't want to spend $$$ for labor in just replacing the axle seal (which might leak again). So i want to get a new axle. Now my question is:

-Which do i need in my case, a half-shaft assembly, or a "full" assembly?
-Do they come with seals? How much would that be @ raxles.com?

67whitegoat

iTrader: (4)

There is no full assembly. Its just called a 1/2 shaft or a 1/2 axle (left side, right side). The axle has to come out to replace the seal. The seal does not come with the axle shaft, but it's not very much. One axle distributor is not better than the other (Auto zone, Car quest, Advance). All about the same price($60.00-$75.00)w/ lifetime warranty.

jp_cout

I recently changed my axles on my 99 max (both) and got 2 jobbers from a shop here in quebec city....did anyone experienced it before?? the left replacement axles is not long enough to fit in it so, when you're bolting it into the wheel hub(left) the axles comes out of the tranny....???I've had my car on jack stands for one whole week because of this...I tried 3 different axles company and that's all the same: jobber axles are too short (left side only) so I had to get back my old axle at the shop and rebuild it instead of changing the whole thing...BTW my Max is 5 spd with lsd diff...

J-P

dgeesaman

iTrader: (10)

Replacing the axles (1/2 axles) will not help you.

Axle seals are not part of the axle. They are part of the tranny. You just remove the axle, replace the seal, and reinstall the axle. Sometimes, tranny bearing wear causes play in the axle that results in seal leakage - this is a much more expensive repair. Hopefully your mechanic can recognize excess axle play instead of just replacing the seal and guessing.

Dave

heynow

iTrader: (1)

You guys are FREAKING AWESOME!!!!!!

Dave, the play you speak of would be in the tranny itself, as opposed to the axle? Axle play, wouldn't affect the seal? (i have an auto tranny, btw)

So, you're suggesting to just replace the seal. I just thought that for the labor involved, i might as well replace the axle, because i wouldn't want to pay for this labor, and then have the axle crap out on me and pay for labor again (i've had LCA bushings replaced, only to have the LCAs replaced a couple of months later)

Thanks for all of your suggestions!!!

dgeesaman

iTrader: (10)

Well that's up to you about the axle. If the car has high mileage and is on original axles/axle boots, it might be a good idea to change them now.

Actually there is another aspect to replacing the axle - the oil seal rides against the axle. If by chance dirt has gotten under the seal lip and ground out a groove in the axle, then changing the seal alone won't help. You'll need to replace the axle or have the shop install a speedisleev over the groove. If your mechanic is talking about replacing the axle for this reason it's not blowing smoke.

Dave

heynow

iTrader: (1)

Obviously the longer i wait, the bigger are the chances of that happening I figure if the labor cost is the same, might as well shell out some cash for a new axle. It might be a good chance to do it, because sometimes when i engage in D, i feel like the axle is skipping a bit (makes a clunk). The tranny engages well though.

SO would raxels.com be the best place to buy a half-shaft?

67whitegoat

iTrader: (4)

Just go to your local (nation wide) parts store. That way if you have any issues or need warranty down the road, you don't have to worry about mail order. I don't think you'll save much with axles.com.

heynow

iTrader: (1)

supposedly, no one here has ever had any issues with RAXLE's axles. Which is why i wanna go that way. Does anyone know how much it would be? and What's that seal called (so that i know what to order)

pmohr

iTrader: (26)

It would just be an axle seal. I believe there are members who have snapped raxles, but there are many threads around here about auto parts store vs raxles. Honestly just go with a parts store, they're cheaper and local if you need a new axle.

heynow

iTrader: (1)

what about "Axle Differential Seal" ?

dgeesaman

iTrader: (10)

Yep.

10char

heynow

iTrader: (1)

here's a better question, which one of these do i need if i'm doing the driver's side?

http://www.courtesyparts.com/betasit...-p-189636.html

http://www.courtesyparts.com/betasit...-p-189637.html

heynow

iTrader: (1)

.....bumpski

dgeesaman

iTrader: (10)

The second one. (drivers side of a non-LSD A/T)

heynow

iTrader: (1)

thanks, bro!!! Umm....on a unrelated note, as i was driving to the train station this morning, my BATTERY, BRAKE, & ABS lights went on. So as a precaution, i turned off my lights and stereo. The lights went out soon and then lit up again when i reached the train station only to go out again as i was idling before turning the car off. ALTERNATOR for sure? I'll also check to see if my belt is slipping when i'm gonna be coming back home.

dgeesaman

iTrader: (10)

Get it tested. Probably alternator, but getting it tested is free.

Don't buy a cheap alternator either. Have you checked to see if your car is covered by the alternator recall? If not, call Nissan and the replacement might be free.

Dave

heynow

iTrader: (1)

Mine was built in January '97, so i've misssed the recall criteria by a couple of weeks. I'll just have advance auto test it, and get a rebuilt 140A HITACHI.

heynow

iTrader: (1)

I had a guy @ advance auto bring out his tester. He had me turn on my stereo/high beams, and blowers to full blast and the voltage always stayed @ about 13.5V. He said that everything tested out fine, but when i turned the car off to just test the battery, the voltages were good, but the battery came up as bad. I've had no trouble since yesterday morning.. I'm hoping that it's just the battery which we'll see during the cooler months.