Cheap chinese CV axle won't fit into wheel hub? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

bobman006 · #1 06-26-2011, 11:21 PM

I replaced one of the CV axles on my 85 300d with one of the 70$ Chinese axles. It's in the diff, all ready to go but I cannot get the axle spindle in to the hub all the way. There is about a 1/4 inch gap left. I tried to tap it in but no success. I reused the spacer from the old axle and I'm certain there is enough give in the axle to get the last 1/4 inch in. The hub is very rusty and have spraying it with spray lubricant and been cleaning it out with rags. Also, the axle looks to have been machined poorly with fuzzy metal shavings sticking out on the axle spindle.

I'm thinking I should sandpaper the axle spindle and wire brushing the wheel hub. Should I do one of the above or both? Potential damage down the road?

pawoSD · #2 06-27-2011, 01:23 AM

I think I'd have bought the non-Chinese slave produced part and had it fit properly.....

compress ignite · #3 06-27-2011, 01:28 AM

of Buying Slave Labor Produced Parts from the PRC,
Is importing a Whole container full of 7 year old Chinese Machinists to "Make" the Axle "Fit".
You don't have to worry about returning them to Mainland China,as soon as they finish your Axle work they'll "Dematerialize" into America.

whunter · #4 06-27-2011, 01:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobman006

I replaced one of the CV axles on my 85 300D with one of the 70$ Chinese axles. It's in the diff, all ready to go but I cannot get the axle spindle in to the hub all the way. There is about a 1/4 inch gap left. I tried to tap it in but no success. I reused the spacer from the old axle and I'm certain there is enough give in the axle to get the last 1/4 inch in. The hub is very rusty and have spraying it with spray lubricant and been cleaning it out with rags. Also, the axle looks to have been machined poorly with fuzzy metal shavings sticking out on the axle spindle.

I'm thinking I should sandpaper the axle spindle and wire brushing the wheel hub. Should I do one of the above or both? Potential damage down the road?

You need to file the corrosion out of the hub splines.

12-Piece Swiss Pattern Needle File Set (General)
http://www.wholesaletoolcompany.com/?gclid=COyOjvKh1akCFcrDKgodBC5hNQ

Die Sinker Riffler File Sets (WT)
http://www.wholesaletoolcompany.com/?gclid=COyOjvKh1akCFcrDKgodBC5hNQ

Jeremy5848 · #5 06-27-2011, 02:19 AM

I had the same problem with one of my CVJ axles (rebuilt in Denver, rumored to be part of the US of A). The splines on one axle just would not go into the hub all the way. I finally bought a bunch of washers and a long bolt threaded the same as the one that holds the axle in the hub and made from them a crude puller. I oiled the splines well and used the bolt to gradually pull the axle into the hub, gradually adding washers until the splines were fully mated.

bobman006 · #6 06-27-2011, 09:37 AM

Thanks for the great responses! First I will file the hub spines as whunter suggested and will try jeremy's method with the long bolt and washers if need be.

Also, its easy to take my frustrations out on Chinese parts and with good reason. But I thought it better to use such a product because my 85 is closer to the "great parking lot in the sky" than most of the member's cars. My 87 300d would not receive such parts.

bobman006 · #7 06-27-2011, 09:56 AM

How are you doing with the project. I will have to do the same thing on my car soon so if you could give me a input I will really appreciate it.[/QUOTE]

Procedure was straight forward. I had to do it in the driveway, so it was a lot of on my back-style grunt work. Took me maybe 4 1/2 hrs before I discovered I could not "seal the deal". Once i get the axle spline in, I just have to put the wheel back on for the most part. dmorrison's DIY article was a big help.

As to where to buy, they are all over. Though your link did not work, you can even find them at the chain auto parts stores. Look for a price between 60 and 80 dollars. If your car is nicer than mine (which I presume is), buy an OEM or re-manufactured axle. Search for some CV axle threads. This isn't a job you want to do many times, especially if you don't have a lift.

MNBenz · #8 06-27-2011, 05:06 PM

Glad you got them in but....

Likely I have some bad news. I bought those exact cheap axles from a chain store. I paid $65 each, thought I was getting a deal.

Within 1,000 miles they were spraying oil all over and the allen bolts were starting to back out. I was afraid one was going to break and take off an SLS line (like what happened to another member) I went out and bought new German made axles. I think I paid $299 for a new pair.

Not a job I wanted to do twice by any means, but the new pair has been in for several thousand miles and are working excellent. The cheap Chinese axles will go bad very very quickly.... unfortunately I had told my friend who has a VW Rabbit about the cheap axles before I found out how bad they are. He swapped his and same story...started leaking nearly immediately

winmutt · #9 06-27-2011, 07:10 PM

Cant use the spacers on the chinese axles. Take it back and get a replacement.

I was the member whos axle took out the SLS.

charmalu · #10 06-27-2011, 11:55 PM

I just pulled two Annular axles out of an 82 300D today. looked fairly new, little dirty, maybe went through the winter.
anyway there is a sticker on the center of the axle with some numbers.
A153151020062
190716
22.11.2005

Does your Chinese axles have this number, or are these MB axles. i don`t see any other ID on the axles.

But for $78 for 2 axles, can`t go wrong.

Iam wondering about the Chinese axles that had the bolts come loose, couldn`t you have removed them, blew out the holes with some brake clean and a air hose, then lock-tited them?

Charlie

Diesel911 · #11 06-28-2011, 05:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by charmalu

I just pulled two Annular axles out of an 82 300D today. looked fairly new, little dirty, maybe went through the winter.
anyway there is a sticker on the center of the axle with some numbers.
A153151020062
190716
22.11.2005

Does your Chinese axles have this number, or are these MB axles. i don`t see any other ID on the axles.

But for $78 for 2 axles, can`t go wrong.

Iam wondering about the Chinese axles that had the bolts come loose, couldn`t you have removed them, blew out the holes with some brake clean and a air hose, then lock-tited them?

Charlie

I am sure who ever bought them expected the Bolts to already have been tighted down properly so they never thought it was going to happen.
Taking apart a new Part voids a warranty.

The Made in China Axles come in Annular (with the Bolts) and Homokinetic (no Bolts but what I call Cans on each end). Since the Homokinetic ones have no Bolts to loosen they donot have a problem with that.

The Homokinetic ones still sometimes have the fitment problems that can be found in the do-it-yourself section. Things like the Spacer not being able to lay flush against the Axle, C-clip groove too wide and the previously mentioned Spline issue.

oldsinner111 · #12 06-28-2011, 06:42 AM

Parts I depend on,I bite the bullet,and buy from here.

Jeremy5848 · #13 06-28-2011, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldsinner111

Parts I depend on,I bite the bullet,and buy from here.

Well said. We all have different comfort levels when it comes to saving money vs. getting a known good part that will work the first time, especially parts for jobs that you really don't want to have to do again. Axles would seem to fall in that category for me although I was a little put off by the cost of new ones and ended up buying rebuilts from CVJ in Denver.

Jeremy

vstech · #14 06-28-2011, 04:47 PM

Keep this VERY important fact in mind...
the ORIGINAL MB axles are the absolute best you can buy. for ANY price.
if you go to a salvage yard and there are original axles there with undamaged boots, or cracked boots that have not yet failed. PULL Them and install fresh Mobil1 75w90 gear oil, and new astoria boots, and you will have 100,000 miles of trouble free use!

layback40 · #15 06-28-2011, 09:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vstech

Keep this VERY important fact in mind...
the ORIGINAL MB axles are the absolute best you can buy. for ANY price.
if you go to a salvage yard and there are original axles there with undamaged boots, or cracked boots that have not yet failed. PULL Them and install fresh Mobil1 75w90 gear oil, and new astoria boots, and you will have 100,000 miles of trouble free use!

Or if you are in the USA & want a good set of change over ones, best you contact our DD mod !!!