1.8T Axle, Raxles VS OEM Price difference!!!

[woolveren]

Hi,

I replaced my car's(98 Auid A4 1.8T, AEB, 5 spd, FWD) Passenger side axle with a cheap axle some 4 months ago (another mistake from my side). At that time, I didn't think too much and just wanted to cut down the cost. So got an axle for $60 and the brand was 'Replacement'. Now the P/S side is clicking badly whenever I turn the wheels.


So today I called ECS Tuning and thay gave me a price for the OEM Audi/VW Passenger side Axle assembly for $129.

I also called raxles and they gave me a price of $1899 with core) and $270 without returning the core.


Why this much price difference between OEM and raxles?

As far as I know, raxles remanufactures the OEM core and why I should pay extra 100 dollars for the raxles axle when I get the OEM axle assembly for a cheaper price??

[murdered APR a4]

Raxle's are different they are stronger and built to last way longer that is why so many people choose them.

[Scientist]

Regarding axles, many outfits get the cores (bad axle) and repack them with grease and sell them as "remanufactured." Spend the extra money on a guaranteed axle. Ask your mechanic where he gets his, they are the most reliable source since it would cost them money installing a POS that will break under warranty.

Same goes for steering racks.

[woolveren]

Regarding axles, many outfits get the cores (bad axle) and repack them with grease and sell them as "remanufactured." Spend the extra money on a guaranteed axle. Ask your mechanic where he gets his, they are the most reliable source since it would cost them money installing a POS that will break under warranty.

Same goes for steering racks.

My mechanic usually gets the OEM axles from dealer. He said the OEM will be little more costly from him compared to buying from an online shop like ECS. So he told me to get a better one such as OEM, Raxles or Lemforder(if they make any axles)..

So I think its better to get the OEM Audi axle from ECS Tuning. And I hope it will last at least for some 40k miles(more than enough for my car with 220K miles..).

[TCHUN003]

OEM is the best for the axles..I got my OEM axle at autozone for $100 after giving them my core. It has a lifetime warranty so when it breaks again, take it back for a new one free.

[walky_talky20]

I don't know what brand ECS was telling you out about, but you can be DARN sure it isn't new genuine axle at $129. A New Genuine Audi right front axle for a '98 1.8T FWD lists for $450. The best price you could probably get would be about $390. Even a genuine reman lists for $300.

The bargain prices of chinese new and reman axles has made the price of perfectly good genuine used axles at junkyards almost nothing. I got 2 genuine Audi axles from a junkyard, $50 for the pair. Way better quality than you could ever hope to find at a parts store. Genuine stuff is the way to go, there is a reason they cost so much. Keep good boots on them and they last almost forever.

[catbed]

It was my understanding that raxles don't break. And if they do, they are warrantee'd.

[woolveren]

I don't know what brand ECS was telling you out about, but you can be DARN sure it isn't new genuine axle at $129. A New Genuine Audi right front axle for a '98 1.8T FWD lists for $450. The best price you could probably get would be about $390. Even a genuine reman lists for $300.

The bargain prices of chinese new and reman axles has made the price of perfectly good genuine used axles at junkyards almost nothing. I got 2 genuine Audi axles from a junkyard, $50 for the pair. Way better quality than you could ever hope to find at a parts store. Genuine stuff is the way to go, there is a reason they cost so much. Keep good boots on them and they last almost forever.

I asked him twice whether its genuine Audi/VW axle and he said YES. He confirmed with somebody putting me on hold and said its Genuine VW axle.


Do you think that ECS sells crap axles saying its genuine?


I bought parts from them 5 times and they were all genuine Audi/VW ones. Maybe, you guys will know more ..

[andyrew]

Biggest issues with cheap axles are the boots.... They crack after a short period of time..

[vwblackb5]

Anything labeled EMPI or FEQ would be in the 90-110$ range are non OEM ones. They are the cheapo ones that either snap or have a cheap boot design. GKN/Loebro is the brand OEM Audi uses, so you can either purchase OEM VW/AUDI or GKN/Loebro branded axles. Originally they were priced at around 350-450$ depending on side, but now the price has gone down, so you can purchase an OEM one or GKN/Loebro branded one for <250$ a side.

check out www.germanautoparts.com, perfect example of GKN/Loebro for 242$. At the time, when i needed to replace mine, boot was torn but no clicking, i went with Raxles, since it was cheaper than OEM at the time, but they did not skimp on CV joints, they only reused the shaft/core but everything else was new. Gimme them a call, Marty @ Raxles is a good dude.

and just incase anyone questions other OEM VW/Audi brands, an example would be our Control Arms are sourced from either TRW or Lemfroder, but they are labeled OEM VW/AUDI. You can buy the same parts directly from TRW/Lembfroder and place them side by side w/ the one you get from the dealer and they will be exactly the same. Hope this helps.

[10kredline]

HAHAHA!!!! No wonder, the guy at ECS tuning said I called like 3 times regarding about their axle. Now I know who also called them...it was YOU! I just ordered the same thing just now. I also called Raxles and quoted me $199 but I ordered from ECStuning instead. Raxles are re manufactured but seems like good quality and a lot of people buy from them. I've been buying from ECStuning for a long time and I trust their products and quality. Plus I had remaining balances in my account. =)

[mtg729]

What about DSS ( The Driveshaft Shop) axles? Anyone use them?

[EUR Mechaniker]

I run a shop... unless a customer requests otherwise i use GSP axles for 70 bucks ea... they are 100% new material and i have not had a single issue with them going bad or tearing boots. my old a4 ran em for 150k not a single crack to be found in the boots.

SOMETIMES .... just sometimes... cheap isnt always bad...

[Scientist]

I run a shop... unless a customer requests otherwise i use GSP axles for 70 bucks ea... they are 100% new material and i have not had a single issue with them going bad or tearing boots. my old a4 ran em for 150k not a single crack to be found in the boots.

SOMETIMES .... just sometimes... cheap isnt always bad...

As I mentioned above, ask your mechanic. If he installs a cheap POS it will cost him so he knows where to get the good stuff.

[the_pirate]

Raxles has a lifetime warranty I've used it a couple times. Their axles are worth the money if you are super low or building for HP. If you're neither I'd just go with an EMPI or GSP.

[woolveren]

HAHAHA!!!! No wonder, the guy at ECS tuning said I called like 3 times regarding about their axle. Now I know who also called them...it was YOU! I just ordered the same thing just now. I also called Raxles and quoted me $199 but I ordered from ECStuning instead. Raxles are re manufactured but seems like good quality and a lot of people buy from them. I've been buying from ECStuning for a long time and I trust their products and quality. Plus I had remaining balances in my account. =)

LOL, I called ECS Tuning again to confirm whether the price of the OEM axle is really $129 ( as per walky_talky's suggestion). And yeah Walky_talky is true.

ECS guy said that its actually an EMPI brand and not OEM.. What???

Earlier when I called them, I asked twice whether you are telling me the price for OEM axles and they said YES.....The guy even confirmed with somebody putting me on hold..

Anything labeled EMPI or FEQ would be in the 90-110$ range are non OEM ones. They are the cheapo ones that either snap or have a cheap boot design. GKN/Loebro is the brand OEM Audi uses, so you can either purchase OEM VW/AUDI or GKN/Loebro branded axles. Originally they were priced at around 350-450$ depending on side, but now the price has gone down, so you can purchase an OEM one or GKN/Loebro branded one for <250$ a side.

check out www.germanautoparts.com, perfect example of GKN/Loebro for 242$. At the time, when i needed to replace mine, boot was torn but no clicking, i went with Raxles, since it was cheaper than OEM at the time, but they did not skimp on CV joints, they only reused the shaft/core but everything else was new. Gimme them a call, Marty @ Raxles is a good dude.

and just incase anyone questions other OEM VW/Audi brands, an example would be our Control Arms are sourced from either TRW or Lemfroder, but they are labeled OEM VW/AUDI. You can buy the same parts directly from TRW/Lembfroder and place them side by side w/ the one you get from the dealer and they will be exactly the same. Hope this helps.

Thanks for this info. I am considering the GKN/Loebro axles since it's much cheaper than buying OEM axle from the dealer ($420 without the core). And I don't have the OEM axles to exchange the core.. (:


So final call..Raxles or GKN/Loebro. Which one to get??

[TConklin821]

I bought brand new ones at AutoPart International and I've had no issues yet.

[EUR Mechaniker]

get the GSP ones... like i said all new materials and havent had a single issue... they are lifetime warrenty and dont have a core charge. if you have an advance auto parts near your house 95% chance they are sittin on the shelf waiting for you anyhow...

[woolveren]

get the GSP ones... like i said all new materials and havent had a single issue... they are lifetime warrenty and dont have a core charge. if you have an advance auto parts near your house 95% chance they are sittin on the shelf waiting for you anyhow...

http://forums.maxima.org/4th-generat...gsp-axles.html

I see lot of people suggesting it as a very low quality..(:

[M-Hood]

Anything labeled EMPI or FEQ would be in the 90-110$ range are non OEM ones. They are the cheapo ones that either snap or have a cheap boot design. GKN/Loebro is the brand OEM Audi uses, so you can either purchase OEM VW/AUDI or GKN/Loebro branded axles. Originally they were priced at around 350-450$ depending on side, but now the price has gone down, so you can purchase an OEM one or GKN/Loebro branded one for <250$ a side.

check out www.germanautoparts.com, perfect example of GKN/Loebro for 242$. At the time, when i needed to replace mine, boot was torn but no clicking, i went with Raxles, since it was cheaper than OEM at the time, but they did not skimp on CV joints, they only reused the shaft/core but everything else was new. Gimme them a call, Marty @ Raxles is a good dude.

and just incase anyone questions other OEM VW/Audi brands, an example would be our Control Arms are sourced from either TRW or Lemfroder, but they are labeled OEM VW/AUDI. You can buy the same parts directly from TRW/Lembfroder and place them side by side w/ the one you get from the dealer and they will be exactly the same. Hope this helps.

I have been running a EMPI front axle from Purems for about 8+ years now and plenty of drag racing in that time. Seems to be holding up just find with drag radials and 600+whp. lol

[vwblackb5]

I have been running a EMPI front axle from Purems for about 8+ years now and plenty of drag racing in that time. Seems to be holding up just find with drag radials and 600+whp. lol

Purems is a great store btw, mike's an awesome guy. As for you mr. mike2ptzero, lol everything you own or experience on your monsterous b5 is/should not be considered a normal data point for us lowly non monsterous b5 owners. Everything seems to always work or always goes above and beyond performance spec. (compliments to you and your wealth of experience, not at all sarcasm if you can read between the lines)

[M-Hood]

Purems is a great store btw, mike's an awesome guy. As for you mr. mike2ptzero, lol everything you own or experience on your monsterous b5 is/should not be considered a normal data point for us lowly non monsterous b5 owners. Everything seems to always work or always goes above and beyond performance spec. (compliments to you and your wealth of experience, not at all sarcasm if you can read between the lines)

Well I guess that is true seeing my original transmission held together for 9 years of drag racing and 3 of my original axles are still going strong ofter 12 years of drag racing. lol

[nunya]

Well I guess that is true seeing my original transmission held together for 9 years of drag racing and 3 of my original axles are still going strong ofter 12 years of drag racing. lol

No offense mike but i think we hear all the good and not the bad. Sorta like a gambler.... :-)

There has to be more to it. Hell i have been through so many motors at this point using the best companies and known quality parts, i still get shat on. What's your lucky charm? I need to get one.

--dillon

[M-Hood]

No offense mike but i think we hear all the good and not the bad. Sorta like a gambler.... :-)

There has to be more to it. Hell i have been through so many motors at this point using the best companies and known quality parts, i still get shat on. What's your lucky charm? I need to get one.

--dillon

I guess my good luck with my A4 comes at having bad luck with other stuff in life. I seem to have good luck with my hobbies. lol

[woolveren]

I am getting the Gkn loebro axle from Germanautoparts. I get the new Gkn axle for a lesser price compared to the remanufactured axle from raxles. So going with GKN.


No EMPI/ aftermarket. Done with aftermarket parts for axles..Never again!!

[woolveren]

Quick question:

I was about to buy the P/S side axle from Germanautoparts.com

In their website, axles are listed only as Left and Right. Is this "Right" side the P/S side axle?

http://www.germanautoparts.com/Audi/A4/Drivetrain/8/1