I just replaced both axles in my 03 s. it was a big job as my axle was rusted to the wheel bearing and would not come apart. long story short replaced them with FEQ axles off an internet store . they lasted less than a 1000 miles. CV joint blew apart on mine and a friend changed them the same time I did with even worse results , His axle twisted in half. and CV joint came apart on the other side. So when replacing axles DONT USE FEQ BRAND Chinese made axles the wont last and it will be very hard to get the vendor to replace. WARNING DO NOT USE FEQ BRAND NEW AXLES !!!!!

 

I wonder how common this problem with broken axles is?

Modded vs non modded cars?

Doesn't seem like autocross (very short runs) is the reason since my MINI with 5 seasons of autocross has no problems.

Maybe it is tracking (super lap) that is harder on the axles since both your MINI (previous owner) and DakineMINI did do more on the track.

 

These were installed a few weeks ago so they never saw the track. Also, my car is in DSP now, so non-modded.

 

What solution did you come up with and would you recommend it? I just started hearing the clicking from the CV joints, passenger side is worse than drivers side.

 

I had my axles rebuilt by a guy in queens ny, he said that there are no parts for them but then he was able to match the nternal parts to toyota parts perfectly, he said mini might be outsourcing there axles to toyota I have put 4000 hard miles on the rebuilt axles that used to creak like crazy with no problems whatsoever.

 

Breaks with the FEQ axles seem to be pretty common. I know of atleast 2 people with a total of 3 broken FEQ axles between them. With one of those owners, both FEQ axles broke within a small amount of normal (non-track, non-aggressive) driving.

 

It seems that the consensus is not to use FEQ. I sent an email to Raxles.com and Driveshaftshop.com and I am also looking for local shops.

 

I just broke my FEQ axle tonight. Had a little less than 30K on it. The left is still original with 182K. What other options for axles are there without spending $$$$$?

 

NAPA stores.....and you'll have their better warranties....

 

Thanks! I'll check with O'Reilly since we don't have a local NAPA. You're right, it would make returning a faulty axle much, much easier.

The following picture is brought to you by the letters FEQ and AAA.

 

Did you happen to find a decent axle for your MINI?

 

Napa has them for 92.91 list, 36 month 36k mile warranty. I haven't need them yet but will be buying mine from them.

 

Did you read all the commits in this thread?? These axles are JUNK. DO NOT BUY THEM.

 

All negative comments in this thread were about FEQ axles not Napa with no one having experience with Napa? Unless i missed a post some place?

 

I did. I went to O'Reilly auto parts and bought a lifetime warranty axle for around 90 bucks. So far so good!

 

dthurst, how are those O'reilly axles holding for you. I just starting getting the clunks today after driving around town. I will be replacing my driver side axle soon.

 

Some items should always be OEM!

 

unless OEM is going to cost around $400 per shaft

 

I had to replace the passenger O'Reilly axle after 40K miles because it started clicking when turning left (only a slight left), but it was covered under the lifetime warranty. Since my mechanic only charges me $25 bucks to replace axles, I still consider it a pretty good value.

 

sounds good, i about to go pick mine up. and 40k for me is around 2.5 years of driving for me so that may be just long enough for me

 

Is EMPI any good?

I like O'Reilly too, but they don't have any available online and no store in PA...

 

I have an EMPI on my passenger side with 3k that is starting to feel a little loose on the inner. I chose it over the other cheap China axles because of the lifetime warranty. I'll RMA it one of these days, but right now I'm pretty busy, so I'm living with the slack (no noise yet). If the next one doesn't last, I'm just going to plunk down for a new factory piece.

 

Yeah, I don't really want to be dealing with bum parts - warranty or no. Is it possible the installer didn't do a good job and it's not a parts issue?

 

I paid 375 shipped for a set of axles made by the driveshaft shop from Ultra Rev

 

Not likely, as the part that wore is a pre-assembled, greased and sealed unit - the inner tripod joint.

I'm the installer, which is why I took my chances with a questionable part to begin with. I bought this car for $1,500, and am trying to keep it cheap. But I'm quickly learning that you get what you pay for.