Got under the car to change the oil and had a blob of grease drop on my shoulder and found a split in the boot. The soonest I can get one is June 4th next Thurs. How long can I drive before it comes apart? Also looking for one with the bearing carrier attached what is the best aftermarket out there? A1-Cardone?

 

I wouldn't worry about driving another week. Be sure you request the passenger side axle. Yes, Cardone A-1 are respectable, at least in my experience (I have replaced both sides on my 2004 R53 with them.)

 

Recently replaced the axles with DTA branded ones. Since this car is a commuter, I wasn’t looking for a heavy duty super high HP capable set.

So far after 6K miles all good. I did have an issue with the outer boot on the new passenger axle, but the warranty support was great and the seller shipped out a new replacement axle in just a few days. (Purchased from the giant rainforest store.)

 

I just ordered a passenger side drive shaft from Mini Mania, their Value Line brand.

I asked, they said they’re remanufactured. So they probably aren’t Chinese cores.

Since they’re in the business of selling to Mini owners who likely do their own work, I don’t think they’d offer cheap stuff to pursue a higher profit margin.

I’ll find out...

 

For hard-driven cars, I prefer to leave the axles as the weak point. Cheaper and easier to replace than a transmission. Advance Auto lifetime replacement has done me well in the past.

 

Well I was interested in who could get me the one the fastest and all the store chains around here were a week or more so I bought a Cardone A-1 from Parts Geek and will have it on Tues. Already have the other one out.

 

If you're not experiencing vibration on acceleration, you can reboot the axles as well.

Just another option.

 

is that hard to do? I was told the needle bearings will go everywhere.

 

I would highly recommend NOT using the aftermarket axles as we've never seen anything good come from them as they are NOT reliable like the stock axles.

We actually rebuild the Original MINI axles here as that has been the only reliable and cost effective option. We redo any rollers, new needle bearings as necessary, repair any grooves, replace bearings, boots, grease, and even straighten them if needed.

Otherwise go with an Original MINI axle as they are the best.
https://www.waymotorworks.com/cv-axl...-cooper-s.html

 

Ok thanks what do you charge to rebuild passenger side? Only thing wrong is the boot just split and leaking grease.

 

No, it’s not hard to do. To be fair though, I am a dealer technician and have rebooted many axles in my time. I have the tools and experience to make the job easy and profitable for me to do it.

I took a lot a pictures when I rebooted my CV axle a couple years ago but they’re off my phone now. Maybe there are You Tube videos showing the process so you can see how to do it.

To mitigate any issues with needle bearings I wrap duct tape around the tripod where the needle bearings are before I remove it from the axle. I’ve never had an issue with the needle bearings doing that.

 

ok thanks I’ll try it. What brand do you recommend going with? Mini brand is $63 compared to a Rein for $13. Does it make a difference?

 

Without seeing it I'd have to guess $300, but won't know until we see it and open it up.
But EVERY rebuild we do gets new boots and grease on both ends no matter what in addition to whatever else we find it needs.

 

How can I tell if my axles are original? The passenger side bearing bracket has a pink stripe on it about a 1” wide. Other than that I see no other markings.

 

OP: I also noticed this on the Passenger side of my R53 (w/ 6spd and LSD) and recently I’ve noticed that wheel doesn’t hook up and the traction control keeps kicking in. Roads are warm and dry and I’m not even mashing on it.

Have you noticed this as well?


ps: Anyone with any ideas please pm me as I dont want to hijack the thread.

 

If its the outer boot that's split, you can change it without pulling the whole axle out. When you get the splined shaft out of the steering knuckle, you have to tap the CV Joint off of the inner (second on passenger's side) shaft after you pull the circlip (IIRC). I used a 1" X 1/4" piece of brass and it was pretty easy. BUT, if you don't have the proper crimp pliers for the clamps, it can be a problem later as they need to pulled down tightly or they'll fly off at the most inopportune time.
No needle bearings in the outer joint, its a tulip joint, not a tripod, so just big ***** to deal with.

 

I have everything apart and cleaned up and looks great but need a new dust shield and can’t find any. I am going to replace the bearing as well but don’t have any numbers on them to cross reference to buy?

 

That's the problem I had when I changed my boots. I dropped one of the caps with the needle bearings...lol I was on the ground for 2 hrs trying to find those lil suckers. Found them all, cleaned them up and replaced them. I tried to find the parts to rebuild them myself, couldn't find any parts. Hopefully you're have better success.

 

Well, I got my Value Line axle from Mini Mania.

DDS brand, new, Made in China. Looks like the original, guess I’ll find out.

I’m keeping the old one, Cardone may be able to rebuild it for me.

 

I removed my aCardone one and bought a DDS as well just because it came with the axle carrier bearing housing and dust shields. Just received my carrier bearing from Way Motor Works and waiting on my dust shields to put back my original one.

 

Do you know of a supplier for the intermediate shaft bearing? Not removed yet but possibly a 35mm id 72mm od 25mm wide.