So I'm in need of info to replace my driver's side axle after the outer CV joint blew on me. I've been meaning to purchase the Bentley manual ever since they included the MY 2006 cars, but from Amazon's reviews, it sounds like their quality has suffered a bit and I'd just as soon avoid the cost if possible. (Dependent on the amount of info on the job I receive here, ie. torque specifications, etc.) Bentley manual currently costs $75 on amazon. What about the Haynes?

About all I've found applicable so far is this thread:
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...t-removal.html

Also, I am assuming at this point that I'll need to replace the entire half axle. Yes?

And what's the typical service time this would take if taken to a dealer / mechanic?

The car's going on 3 years, 59k miles. I'm your typical shade tree mechanic, learning by doing.

TIA guys.

 

I've been using a Haynes shop manual, and have been happy so far. $75 for the Bentley is a pretty good deal, they were going for $100. It walks you thru the whole replacement process pretty well.

As for replacing the whole half shaft - I wouldn't think so, unless you've been running it dry for some time. You can buy "kits" from the mini dealers that have the boots, grease, and clamps. I've bought mine from Classic Mini (ad in vendor section) for ~$45. I've replaced inner and outer cv boots at least once on mine. There is only one tricky part, (separating the axle) but with some persistence, and an extra hand it can easily be done at home. Usually takes me a couple of hours - but I work kinda slow.

The one tool I didn't have, but is very helpful is a cv clamp tool, otherwise it is very hard to get that clamp tight enough.

Good Luck!

Nik

 

I'm not sure they have Mini axles (probably do), but some of the BEST axles are from Raxles (www.raxles.com). Talk to Marty, he is super helpful and nice. They cost a lil more but are WELL worth it. I've f**ed around with "remanufactured" axles that click and clank when they are brand new and I won't ever go anywhere besides Raxles now.

 

The removal and installation for an axle is no more than two hours (not sure if you have to drain the gear oil or not, as that may change things). Don't settle for less with a haynes. Like everything else, it comes down to "yopu get what you pay for". My bentley has only let me down once, when it said I couldn't change my fuel filter when you asctually can. Otherwise, it has been a major help. If you get a new axle, it is something that you can do on your own if you can do your own brakes.

 

Thanks very much guys. The cv axle failed only 100mi after I discovered the boot blown, so I'm going to need to replace the whole thing.

I discovered the raxle website yesterday but wasn't sure how wide a selection they carried. I will give them a call and price-compare to OEM.

 

Seriously, call them and talk to Marty (he'll probably be the one who answers). He's the nicest guy ever.

 

Marty did seem to be in the running for nicest guy ever, but there aren't any raxles for the MINI. And I wasn't in the most talkative mood since it was just after calling the local dealer, $516 for the axle. Advanced / NAPA say "dealer only." So maybe Classic / Morristown MINI, but..

I'm doing some more googling..

 

Ah dang that sucks.

Good thing you can't get NAPA axles for the MINI anyway because they SUCK. I've bought several that make more noise than a bad stock axle fresh out of the box! All they do is take cores, spray paint the shafts black, grease the CV, and put a new set of boots on. Not good enough.

It looks like getting OEM might be your only choice. Sometimes dealers have horrible markup on OEM parts though so yeah check classic MINI to see what they can do. Let us know how it goes.

 

I know this thread is two months old, but I thought I'd add a tidbit of information. There is a site I've ordered brakes off of once when I had a Saab, called ips-parts.com

Really not much of a storefront, but there are oem, reman'd, etc parts there that are hard to find sometimes, and at prices that seem to be hard to beat... says they have axle assemblies for around $100. They also have lots of other parts like oil filters, steering racks, wheel bearings. Check it out.

 

Ah, good find Max. They have a "FEQ" brand axle for $92. Quickie google search finds a lot of negative feedback.

update: My DSS from fcpgroton lasted three months and a few thousand miles. 3-4 autox and 2 track days.

Going to cash in on the lifetime warranty for now, might luck into one that actually lasts. Search for alternatives.

 

Pelicanparts has OEM ones for $425.

 

They do? Because I can't find it on their website, only thing they have after I narrow it to an R53 in the axles section is boot kits..

 

I punched in the P/N from RealOEM but, they show it for $525.

Not much better at ECS Tuning either, $500.

 

Can't tell it's a BMW, huh?

 

I just checked it out last week. Got the p/n off RealOEM, and priced it at Pelican Parts, but I cannot find it again now. Let me try and find it.

 

uh, it says "Genuine BMW Part: BMW OEM Part"...

 

DO NOT USE THE $100 FEQ axles, you'll end up replacing them again soon. Those fail all the time, especially if you have a lowered car.

 

What about EMPI?

 

I have a bad right side axle. The brands I've seen are OP Parts and EMPI. Does anyone have any experience with either of these?
Pelican is selling OEM axles for $503 per side. Way has racing axles for $900 each.

Are there any decent aftermarket axles out there? Should I just get the racing axles?