Replacing Front Left Axle. OEM or aftermarket? Anything else to replace?
I've been looking at replacement front axles and the best options I have found for my manual is the genuine volvo at like $450 or the aftermarket DSS for like $95.
From the research I did when I replaced my front right axle I know a few things: 1. the aftermarket axles are pretty crappy 2. GKN is supposedly the manufacturer of the genuine volvo axles Back then I was able to find a GKN right axle but for some strange reason GKN makes the front left axle for the automatic c30s (36000550) but not the one for manual c30s (36000546). How different can they be?! So the other popular option is DSS for only $95, which I am leaning towards, because there's no way it can be 4-5 times worse than the OEM version, right? Does anyone have any experience with DSS axles? Also, is there any easy suspension maintenance I should consider performing while I am replacing the axle? My car has 110k miles and I figure its due. FWIW, I am a complete rookie repairman, I have only ever replaced two things on cars so I don't know how to diagnose suspension issues nor would I want to undertake anything extensive. How do I diagnose any suspension issues? Bonus Question: A few months after replacing the right axle and the boots on the left axle my steering wheel would start to shake while braking at higher speeds. Wouldn't happen at lower speeds. This sorta went away after a few weeks though. I assume this may have to do with the axles, but could it be something else? Is there anything else that can be causing this issue that I can take a look at while replacing the axle? |
The automatic and manual axles are slightly different lengths, which make a huge difference as someone with an S40 in these forums found out not long ago. I would get a set of GKN axles if you need to replace them. For the suspension parts, you don't really have any of the suspension completely apart when you do this job. For mine, pop the nut off the tie rod end and rotate the knuckle to get the axle out. As far as shaky braking, you probably have warped rotors in the front since you feel it in the wheel too, that would need to be machined/replaced to properly fix. Try FCPEuro to find proper axles for your car. You can always call them for really good help.
Your post is very hard to read, idk what you did to the text color but its awful. |
Originally Posted by Dingus
(Post 498040)
The automatic and manual axles are slightly different lengths, which make a huge difference as someone with an S40 in these forums found out not long ago.
Originally Posted by Dingus
(Post 498040)
I would get a set of GKN axles if you need to replace them.
Originally Posted by Dingus
(Post 498040)
As far as shaky braking, you probably have warped rotors in the front since you feel it in the wheel too, that would need to be machined/replaced to properly fix.
Originally Posted by Dingus
(Post 498040)
Try FCPEuro to find proper axles for your car. You can always call them for really good help.
Originally Posted by Dingus
(Post 498040)
Your post is very hard to read, idk what you did to the text color but its awful.
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It looks fine now, must of been something on my computer and loaded the page wrong. You can always try to find some junk yard ones to save cost. I agree the volvo ones are very expensive.
Check out rockauto.com they have very good prices. I am not sure on the exact year and engine on your car so I couldn't see exactly if yours were there, but they do have auto and standard axles listed. |
I think I may have found the gkn part for a manual driver side cv axle. Strangely it is only sold in Europe, despite the automatic LH axle and both automatic and manual RH axles being available in America.
Initially I used GKN's online catalogue tool to locate the parts they make for my car. I found that the part number is GKN 305778. Searching for that part number shows only European sites and the sites list all the corresponding OEM part numbers, 36000546 being one of them. Now, I need to figure out if there would be any issue if I bought one of these parts from overseas. Wondering if it even make economic sense. |
Whats the year make a model on your car?
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Originally Posted by Dingus
(Post 498278)
Whats the year make a model on your car?
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https://www.ipdusa.com/products/1215...6000546-125498
Not GKN, but IPD has one available, they ship out of oregon or washington. However I do not know much about the Protech brand. |
Regarding new vs aftermarket, quite often the aftermarket axles are rebuilds of OEM parts. Volvo friendly sites like IPD and FCP will tell you the details about the after market parts.
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Originally Posted by Dingus
(Post 498282)
https://www.ipdusa.com/products/1215...6000546-125498
Not GKN, but IPD has one available, they ship out of oregon or washington. However I do not know much about the Protech brand. |
I would give FCP a call when you can, there's gotta be a reason you can get the right but not the left from them. And you are correct, GKN is OE
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