Hi All -

I was just wondering if anyone else has had trouble finding a proper replacement CV axle for an '11 base Countryman.

I've got 215K on it and was starting to hear a clicking, so I ordered a drivers side shaft from Autozone and it was a bit shorter than the original. They assured me it was the right one, but it wouldn't install without pulling the joint apart inside the boot.

I then ordered one from O'Reillys, which showed to be a bit longer in the book than Autozone's, but once it came in, I found it is also too short.

Looking around out on Amazon, I was surprised to see their axle listed with a 1-star review saying it was worthless because it was too short!!

The axle out of my car is about 25 to 25 1/2 compressed. The car has the automatic transmission.

I can't figure out why everyone is selling too-short axle driver-side joints! I'd almost think there was a serial number break or something where it might changed, but the passenger side shaft that I ordered at the same time from Autozone fit perfectly.

Thanks for any advice or comments,
Howard

 

Did you reach out to ECS or go to a MINI dealer and pull the part number by your VIN?

 

Yes, you wont find one aftermarket. Have been dealing with a bunch of CV bullshlt for weeks now. I have taken them out, relubed, and clamped. It helps a lot, but not perfect

It is GREAT to hear the passenger side one does fit...I think that it my main problem, though I was fighting the driver-side in the beginning.

 

https://www.ecstuning.com/Mini-2011-...vetrain/Axles/

We have them here^^ But just in OEM, I have to contact some people and might have good rebuild solution soon.

 

OK - thanks for the info. Yes, I've bought quite a bit of parts from ECS in the past and always happy. How long is the OEM shaft that ECS sells??

Its just puzzling to me why so many vendors are selling that part and it is too short!?? Is some factory making them wrong? Did Mini tell everyone the wrong size in some database spec somewhere?

It is just puzzling to me.

In fact, the one I took off my car has a press fit flange about the size of a soup can lid on the trannie side that mates up next to the trannie within about 1/8 of an inch, but doesn't touch. It looks like it is designed to protect the tranmission seal from flying rocks, etc. But I've not even seen a picture anywhere on the internet of a purported CV axle with the axle stub machined to take that flange. I know these R60 models are nowhere near as common as the more traditional Minis, but still - that seems like a pretty big mistake somewhere...

In the meantime, I just put my old one back on. The boots were good - and the shaft feels good and tight - despite being able to hear an occasional light clicking while turning sharp at slow speeds.

Howard

 

Just regrease it. Very very easy to pop the clamp, throw a packet of CV grease in, then reclamp. Will probably stop the clicking at least for a good long while