FWD Halfshafts - new or rebuilt ?
FWD Halfshafts - new or rebuilt ?
(OP)
Hi,
I need to put new halfshafts on the wife's '02 Passat. Given that the price, from the same manufacturer, is about the same, would you go for new or re-built ?
Of course re-built has the small inconvenience of returning a "core", but I'm thinking the base materials will be of higher standard.
I need to put new halfshafts on the wife's '02 Passat. Given that the price, from the same manufacturer, is about the same, would you go for new or re-built ?
Of course re-built has the small inconvenience of returning a "core", but I'm thinking the base materials will be of higher standard.





RE: FWD Halfshafts - new or rebuilt ?
How much longer will you keep the car.
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RE: FWD Halfshafts - new or rebuilt ?
As the wife really likes the car, I think she'll be happy to keep it for another 40k.
RE: FWD Halfshafts - new or rebuilt ?
RE: FWD Halfshafts - new or rebuilt ?
Ck a book before you pull the axle...it comes apart a bit different than most.
As an aside, I don't quite understand why some, not all, of the German and almost all of the Japanese rubber is so crappy...just cheap!
Rod
RE: FWD Halfshafts - new or rebuilt ?
RE: FWD Halfshafts - new or rebuilt ?
RE: FWD Halfshafts - new or rebuilt ?
Lucky you! Ain't gonna happin out here!
Rod
RE: FWD Halfshafts - new or rebuilt ?
To the OP...If you are a racer, especially an IT Vdub, why even ask such a question? Are ya just pullin our leg?
Rod
RE: FWD Halfshafts - new or rebuilt ?
They identify the piece and put it into the line.
They disassemble, "inspect", and re-grease it, new boot, etc.
Ship it to a distributor.
Distributor ships to local store.
Mark-ups on costs 25 - 30% at each stage.
At the retail level it's $70. How much of that cost is shipping, and how much is actual "remanufacturing"? Very little, I'd say. Yes, a local shop can do the work themselves for less on a piece that's carried in.
NAPA prices for reman are well over a $100 and I believe they may actually have some new parts in them. At that price a brand new axle is a real alternative.
RE: FWD Halfshafts - new or rebuilt ?
I do my own work and a CV assembly for my 63 Mini Cooper is currently $99.95 plus $34.95 for the boot from Mini Mania, sans axles (Competition axles are ~$600) I have stock axles laying about.
You can bring an axle to me and I'll look it over. As long as it's not dry or damaged, I'll re pack it and put on a new boot for $70 but I give the standard 30/30 guarantee!
Rod
RE: FWD Halfshafts - new or rebuilt ?
The guy I take shafts to (haven't been there since I stopped buying Chrysler products!) tells me straight out what condition each component is in after he cleans them up, and what's worth replacing or is good for another 50k miles. He gives me a warranty against the boot leaking or splitting, nothing else, unless I pay him extra for a complete new joint. BTW he will R&R the shafts at his shop for an additional $75, which is a bargain on some cars.
I would also say that I would make a point of NOT buying a VW OEM shaft if their boots only last 60k miles, that is miserable! My '93 Saturn had the original boots/shafts at 167k miles, and not a crack or weep from them. I find that kind of life is much more typical these days. It implies to me that VW is letting the front wheels turn a tighter circle at the expense of the boots.
RE: FWD Halfshafts - new or rebuilt ?
I haven't yet found a local shop that works to my expectations to trust with an honest rebuild - but that's another subject....
Anyway - Ive learned that remanufactured part may be either new but in a different box - or used with a new boot - and probably not the machine/oversize item I had thought it meant. New AM is questionable Vs OE but the new OE is $395.
So - I'm back to getting my hands dirty....Thanks for all your input...
RE: FWD Halfshafts - new or rebuilt ?
Like you said, those were the days (c1982)
Rod