Lower on 186,000 mile old Axles = violent shaking

EclipseTrbo420A · Jan 11, 2006

After a long process of trial and error on many different parts of the car, I have found my problem. I guess since the axles have worn at stock ride height for so long the angle they have now from the recent suspension work and lower is not agreeing with their internalls.

My question is could I rebuild the axles with a kit or maybe replace the bearing inside them?

Should I just try to replace CV Joints? If so would Inner or outer be stressed because of this lower?

Where should I look to buy the CV Joints?

If not CV Joints, where is the best place to get some replacement axles. I only need the front two.

Aftermarket and OEM suggestions welcome, but I dont really want to break the bank if I dont have to, meaning OEM is fine if its much cheaper.

Lastly at what mileage do you think I should stop considering used axles as an option due to the fact that they them selves would also have stock wear characteristics.

Please guys give me your suggestions also if you know anything else that would fix this let me know thanks ! - Matt

Old Mitsu Tech · Jan 11, 2006

Remanufactured axles at my O'Reilly auto parts stores are around 60.00 wholesale. I would replace both axles and with that you get 2 brand new boots, 2 rebuilt cv joints per axle. No greasy boots to handle and joints to clean and repack which will undoubtedly give you a repeat performance in the near future.

Do the complete axles. Also, stay away from speedy boots.

Good Luck

mr95gst · Jan 11, 2006

O'rielly axles are good if you lower the car to much the boots will rip. Make sure the angle of the axle is not to great. You can also solve this problem with a replacement boot that has wider ridges for flexing.

EclipseTrbo420A · Jan 11, 2006

Up here we dont have an Oreillys. So do they have an online ordering location ? Also the drop is not too excessive. Its only like 1.75. is there anywhere else that is like oreillys ? Maybe autozone would have them to order? thanks

**edit** OldMitsuTech is that YOUR store ? If so maybe we could work something out through paypal. Thanks for yout help.

Old Mitsu Tech · Jan 12, 2006

Oh, I could only wish. I would be a multimillionaire. But, any parts chain store should have the axles. One thing I keep forgetting is the dropping of the suspension. You might let your parts house know that is what you have done so if there's any other alternatives, they can employ them.

Good Luck

spyder97gs · Jan 12, 2006

Advance Auto is the same.

EclipseTrbo420A · Jan 12, 2006

Well I officially hate being a poor college student, but they have been purchased. Left and right axles 264.00 dollars Thanks to the addition of moms wallet

I owe her 100 some, but I got OEM re-manufactured to spec axles. Ill get 63.00 back each alxe + tax when I take them back in for the core charge. NAPA I found, had the best customer service, and prices! He also is rushing them in for me free of charge. On top of all that I think I got a job as a driver on monday and wednesday nights to go along wiht my current pizza delivery. Thanks for the help guys, and Ill let you know how it works out.

DarkSeraph · Jan 24, 2006

How did it work out?!?

I have the same problem, and I've been worried it is my axles. Was it just your front axle that you fixed? I'm also pretty new to working on cars, and I don't think I'd be comfortable messing around with my axle, how much would labor be on this :cry:

Strm Trpr · Jan 24, 2006

I just recently lowered my car too, and my drivers side axle is about 35k miles old, but my passenger side is 110k miles old and vibrates when I accelerate hard, but only after driving for 30 or so miles.
I have a Clutch Mart that will install a 2yr warranty axle with lifetime labor warranty for $149 + tax. :thumb:

My wife is driving a rental as we speak.
My T-Case on my 97 Tahoe decided to take a dump, so once she get's that back, I'll drop off my GST for 2 new axles.

jackstandracer · Jan 24, 2006

Thats weird that this is happening to you guys with dropping your cars, i have personally dropped both of my dsm's with cheap ebay coil-over which are difinatally worth the price =P and ive dropped them over 2" and ive never got any results like that of vibration or worn boots. how much are you guys lowering your cars?

DarkSeraph · Jan 24, 2006

Mine isn't lowered at all, and 96k on the car. Mine isn't a constant vibrating either, it goes in rotations, closer together the faster you go. It makes it very noisy in my car though

A 2 yr warranty axle for $150?!? Man, I need to find a deal like that! Almost worth driving up there for that deal...

Strm Trpr · Jan 24, 2006

Yeah, that's what I said...
I'm sure once we get down to it, and he realizes that I have a GST, I'm sure that figure will go up.
They've done work on my car before for a leaking drivers side axle seal.
Get this, Mitsu did some warranty work on my car, replaced the drivers side axle, but not the seal, installs the new axle, knicks the seal, and I've got gear oil in my garage.
Call up the dealership the following Monday, and they were no longer in business, I wonder why.... LOL

Dream On · Jan 24, 2006

$150 to do an axle? I hope that includes the part and everything. Its not even that hard. Hell, it only would take a hour or two, depending on the rust. I've done both of my fronts, I think anybody who could do minor mechanical work could do this. All it takes is a 32 mm socket, breaker bar, pickle fork/tie rod removal tool from Autozone (doesn't rip the tie rod boot), and a 19 mm wrench I believe. Just unbolt the axle nut (32 mm) , tie rod (19mm) and ball joint (19 mm) , and pull the axle out of the trans. Then, depending on if its stuck in the hub or not (which it most likely is), pound the shit out of it until it comes out, or take it to a shop and have it pressed out. It wasn't as bad as I was expecting, and this is the first car I've ever really worked on.

Strm Trpr · Jan 24, 2006

That's what the guy at Clutch Mart told me.
new part installed for $150
If it's as easy as you say it is, then I may look into it a little better.

DarkSeraph · Jan 24, 2006

He said it's installed for that much, but how much is the actual part?

Strm Trpr · Jan 24, 2006

I just got off of the phone with Ken @ Clutches & More 209-478-8331 and asked them about a passenger side axle for a 97 Mitsu Eclipse 2wd Turbo.
He said a brand new axle not a reman, installed parts and labor $149.95 + tax, with a lifetime warranty on the axle, and 2 yr warranty on labor.

I asked him repeatedly are you sure that's correct, and he then told me that the awd and 2wd turbo models have the same front axles (well, I'm not too sure about this) but the GS and RS don't use the same axle as the turbo models.
So, with that said I guess they're good to go.
Hell, Mitsu charged my warranty company $500+ to install a new Mitsu drivers side axle.
I guess the price is a little low, but if I get decent parts that are going to last a such an attractive price, then why not.
But on the other hand it the CV's exploded after one 1/4 pull, well then I guess I get another axle for free right, lifetime warranty....

Strm Trpr · Jan 24, 2006

According to this link, <a href = http://www.automotivearticles.com/AWD_Conversion.shtml>GST - GSX</a> I'm not sure if the GSX and GST share the same front axles.

DarkSeraph · Jan 24, 2006

Why are you only doing the passenger side? I haven't been able to narrow down where my problem is yet... I just suspect the axle.

Strm Trpr · Jan 24, 2006

Yeah, that's what my good friend said too, he's also a mechanic.
His dad own's a Napa, he said call my dad, have him order you both new axles, come on out to my shop and we'll install them in less than an hour.
I may have to check into this....

My drivers side was replace about 30k ago, and I can feel the vibration coming from the passenger side just like it did a year ago but from the drivers side.
But I'll probably do both.

EclipseTrbo420A · Jan 24, 2006

Ok heres how it was. I got working on the driverside first. THe alxe would not come out of the hub so I took it to a machine shop and they tried to press it out wiht 50 tons for 2 days. Nothing budged so I ended up buying a new hub $128.00 :notgood:

got it on with the new alxe. All is well there. Now the pass side. The axle come right out of the hub after one sledge swing. got the new one in, and fired it up......moved 10 feet and the axle from napa fell apart! I was pissed anyways after 11 days and 3 alxes i finally got the right pass axle, and drove home 30 minutes ago. My casr doesnot shake or shudder at all. All i need is an alignment.

My advise if you doing this job is....if you can get the axle out with out rounding off its threads take out the suspension and take it to a shop. If the press cant get it out...your not going to. Goodluck.

EclipseTrbo420A · Jan 24, 2006

DarkSeraph said:
Why are you only doing the passenger side? I haven't been able to narrow down where my problem is yet... I just suspect the axle.

The real problem is the way they rotate at stock height for so long then when you change that by lowering and messing with angles, all the worked in grooves are shifted and the cv joint is spinning on dents and such. I could not pin point the vibration so I just got the 2 new ones. I happy I did because both of mine were bad.

Strm Trpr · Jan 24, 2006

So, where did you get both of your axles from, and how much?

EclipseTrbo420A · Jan 24, 2006

Strm Trpr said:
So, where did you get both of your axles from, and how much?

Napa 264.00, 67 for each core and I still have to get them the driverside one. The machine shop just got it out after a week of 50 tons and glowing red. I wanted that 67 for the driver saide back hahah

fr33b1rth · Jan 25, 2006

go to your local auto sore (advance, autozone o'riley etc) and ret the entire axle. not hard to install, and they all are quality products.

EclipseTrbo420A · Jan 25, 2006

fr33b1rth said:
go to your local auto sore (advance, autozone o'riley etc) and ret the entire axle. not hard to install, and they all are quality products.

I did that and would be happy if they hadnt given me the wrong axle 3 times. Its all good now so I cant complain.

The Central Hub for DSM Community and Information

Lower on 186,000 mile old Axles = violent shaking

EclipseTrbo420A

Old Mitsu Tech

mr95gst

EclipseTrbo420A

Old Mitsu Tech

spyder97gs

EclipseTrbo420A

DarkSeraph

Strm Trpr

jackstandracer

DarkSeraph

Strm Trpr

Dream On

Strm Trpr

DarkSeraph

Strm Trpr

Strm Trpr

DarkSeraph

Strm Trpr

EclipseTrbo420A

EclipseTrbo420A

Strm Trpr

EclipseTrbo420A

fr33b1rth

EclipseTrbo420A

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