Raxles Thoughts?

B6/7 S4/RS4
#1

Looking for insight from anybody that’s used Raxles.

I found a torn outer boot on my driver’s front side axle (~75k miles). There were no noises, no steering issues. I had new tires installed and the tech showed me it was torn and spraying grease everywhere. I’ve had good experience with raxles on a previous car so ordered one.

About a month after I installed it, I was doing some other work and happened to notice the clamp was missing on the outer boot (small one) and there was grease all along the shaft. Raxles had me put on a new clamp myself, and a week later it came off again. Told them I wanted a refund or a new shaft and they sent me a new one saying that in hindsight they shouldn’t of had me put a new clamp on because the grease would cause it to keep coming off.

Couple weeks later I get the new shaft. Install it and now a week later I checked it and the clamps are all fine, but now the outer boot is completely twisted on itself.

Anybody have experience with what could be causing this? Is this a me problem? Could something specific to my car be causing this? I’m about ready to ask for a refund and order a genuine axle, but I don’t understand why this is happening… :-\

Pics:

#2

well I wanted to post pics, but it’s telling me the upload folder is full…

#3

I run axles on my S4 and never had any issues. they held up fine for race use last year.

I did have some billing issues with them, but they sorted it out

#4

http://audirevolution.net/image_uploader.php to upload your pictures (once you’re logged in).

Click the link there its how you can load pictures up to the site. Its actually very easy.

Post up the pictures and we can see

#5

I’ve been running Raxles for my front CV axles for at least 60k miles, probably closer to 80k.

No problems with ordering, billing, shipping, install, or performance yet (knock on wood). :stuck_out_tongue:

#6

Think I got it now:

http://audirevolution.net/addons/albums/images/931229101.jpg

http://audirevolution.net/addons/albums/images/377445604.jpg

#7

Here’s what it looked like right after I installed it:

http://audirevolution.net/addons/albums/images/862962352.jpg

http://audirevolution.net/addons/albums/images/797723915.jpg

#8

holy shit…lol

#9

Agreed, I can’t believe I’m spending so much time dealing with what should be a plug and play part.

I believe that the first axle had the same problem, I believe the boot became twisted on itself to the point where it ripped the small clamp off. I just took a pair of pliers and twisted it back in place, and I can see the small boot clamp is getting closer to the edge of the boot with little to no material outside of it.

#10

are you lowered? stock suspension parts?

#11

slightly. I have 19" wheels with the old stasis ohlins sl coilover kit. It’s 25.5 inches ground to fender, so I don’t consider it excessive.

One thing I noticed is that the raxles boot has 7 accordions, while my original Audi axle only had 5, seems excessive and prone to more going wrong. Also, JHM replacement boots only have 5 accordions.

#12

I used Autozone axles. Lifetime warranty, can’t beat that.

#13

I’ve used Raxles on a few cars, always very happy I’ve done so. Marty has always been very helpful, straightforward and honest with me.

Have you tried asking him the same questions you’re posting here (that’s a real question, not a sarcastic pot-shot)? He’s likely to have some thoughts on the /number of accordians/boot config, and also on why you’re having these problems. Guessing if he’s stumped, he’ll tell you that, too.

Best of luck sorting this, as I have one of his axles at the driver’s side front, and would like to know if there’s anything I need to watch out for.

#14

He’s been very helpful and quick to respond. On the first axle he recommended replacing the clamp myself, which I did but kept coming off, then said he didn’t send me a new one as once the clamp comes off it needs to be cleaned up and re-done for it to work properly.

Would you be able to check yours and see if it has the same boot, accordions on yours? Would be good to know in case they changed it.

#15

I think the spring perch is contacting the clamp end of the CV boot.

#16

THIS

#17

Maybe from the picture that looks feasible, but it really isn’t. There is a good bit of room between the 2, and they move in tandem with each other (if the mount goes down, so does the axle).

I’ve had the coilovers for 3 years now, I think they would’ve ruined the original axle that lasted for 75k miles (the inner boot finally tore open, outer was fine).

#18

I know it may not look like they would come in contact with each other, but remember that when you turn the wheel, those lower control arms move quite a bit and the geometry changes to the point where it wouldn’t surprise me if the axle was getting pushed into that lower perch. Turn the wheel full lock in both directions and look under the car to see if it’s getting close, then factor in any heavy bumps or extra suspension travel (such as going into a parking lot with the wheel cranked).

#19

I know it may not look like they would come in contact with each other, but remember that when you turn the wheel, those lower control arms move quite a bit and the geometry changes to the point where it wouldn’t surprise me if the axle was getting pushed into that lower perch. Turn the wheel full lock in both directions and look under the car to see if it’s getting close, then factor in any heavy bumps or extra suspension travel (such as going into a parking lot with the wheel cranked).
[/quote]
I have to give you credit. I didn’t think this would be possible, but I tried it just to see. Sure enough when I cranked the wheel to the left the boot itself is contacting the lower spring mount. I couldn’t get the clamp pinch point to hit it, but I didn’t quite have it at ride height and any amount of bump would probably cause it.

Having said that, I spoke with Marty and he said their boots are better than stock boots (I believe that) and something about increasing turning radius with the longer boot with more accordions.

I’m going to see if he can replace the boot with a shorter one, similar to stock, because on the passenger side where I have my original axle, the outer boot is much shorter and the clamp doesn’t come nearly as close to touching the lower spring mount.

Thanks for the suggestion (even though I doubted you at first ;))

#20

I have to give you credit. I didn’t think this would be possible, but I tried it just to see. Sure enough when I cranked the wheel to the left the boot itself is contacting the lower spring mount. I couldn’t get the clamp pinch point to hit it, but I didn’t quite have it at ride height and any amount of bump would probably cause it.

Having said that, I spoke with Marty and he said their boots are better than stock boots (I believe that) and something about increasing turning radius with the longer boot with more accordions.

I’m going to see if he can replace the boot with a shorter one, similar to stock, because on the passenger side where I have my original axle, the outer boot is much shorter and the clamp doesn’t come nearly as close to touching the lower spring mount.

Thanks for the suggestion (even though I doubted you at first ;))
[/quote]
No worries! Glad the mystery is solved.