Driveshaft/Axle replacement choices - help?

8R6 · 9 June 2017

Hey Prime,
So for the past week, I've been doing daily research online (mainly here on prime) to find new replacements options for my rear left axle. So far the only two options I can find are either the InsaneShafts or surtrack brand, both found available on ebay and surtrack also being listed at other online auto parts retailers.

As great as the InsaneShafts are (with a few users having defective units that were promptly sent replacements) and as decent of a deal it is for $600/pair compared to the $1k/side for OEM, I'm interested to see if I can find other OE replacements that don't need to be rated for higher hp. Which led me to find the Surtrack brand... but these seem to have a lot more instances here of where brand new units would still have some play even before ever getting installed. Price point for Surtrack is currently under $100/side! Seems like one of those times where if it's too good to be true, then it usually is. So now trying to find if anyone can help inform me of other choices I might've somehow missed during my search. I'm pretty sure I've read almost every thread about axles and CV boots lol.

TL;DR - besides InsaneShafts and surtrack, what other choices are there for OE replacement axles?

Old Guy · 10 June 2017

It might be interesting to start a poll to determine the number of positive and negative results with the Surtrack driveshafts. RockAuto lists the left side shaft for $57 which does seem to be too good to be true!

solidol · 10 June 2017

Not aware of those choices. My insaneshafts are holding up well for around 7k miles.

8R6 · 11 June 2017

Old Guy said:
It might be interesting to start a poll to determine the number of positive and negative results with the Surtrack driveshafts. RockAuto lists the left side shaft for $57 which does seem to be too good to be true!

haha yeah im all for finding good deals, but something just seems way too sketchy at those prices. plus the several people here that already had not-so-great experiences upon receiving "new" ones makes me even more uncertain about buying it.

solidol said:
Not aware of those choices. My insaneshafts are holding up well for around 7k miles.

good to know some more data points of these lasting so far. thanks for the input!

haveblue · 12 June 2017

My insaneshafts are holding up great after 10k. Replaced my OEM ones that started clunking.

8R6 · 12 June 2017

haveblue said:
My insaneshafts are holding up great after 10k. Replaced my OEM ones that started clunking.

nice! yeah my driver-side rear is starting to clunk at acceleration. CV boots all still look good though, and we can replicate the slight clunk sounds with the rear up in the air and play in the axle :/

htmachine · 9 July 2017

Don't waste your time. I ordered a DS from the "Parts Geek". Because of problems others have had with DS purchases I clamped one end in a soft jaw vise and twisted the other end. Had more play than my original Honda unit with 236,000 miles on it. Sent that back (parts geek makes you pay shipping for returns even if part is defective). Ordered one from Auto Zone. Same play but I could return to any store. Then ordered from Amazon and same play again. Ended up I just repacked with grease and put new boots on my old one while I research an alternative.

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8R6 · 9 July 2017

htmachine said:
 Don't waste your time. I ordered a DS from the "Parts Geek". Because of problems others have had with DS purchases I clamped one end in a soft jaw vise and twisted the other end. Had more play than my original Honda unit with 236,000 miles on it. Sent that back (parts geek makes you pay shipping for returns even if part is defective). Ordered one from Auto Zone. Same play but I could return to any store. Then ordered from Amazon and same play again. Ended up I just repacked with grease and put new boots on my old one while I research an alternative.

which brand was the one you were buying from partsgeek/autozone/amazon?

htmachine · 10 July 2017

Surtrack was the parts geek and Amazon supplier. Not sure on the Auto Zone but might have been rebranded.

integrals · 11 July 2017

I am two seasons into a set of Insane Shafts. They see nothing but insane abuse and have held true... about 3800 miles on them so far.

8R6 · 11 July 2017

integrals said:
I am two seasons into a set of Insane Shafts. They see nothing but insane abuse and have held true... about 3800 miles on them so far.

sweet! no clicking/clunking/thunking sound ever?

pbishop · 13 July 2017

Here is another vote for Insane Shafts! I've only had mine for about 300 miles so I can't rate long term performance.

Driveshaft/Axle replacement choices - help?

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