Civic Axle Shaft Replacement Nightmare

WaterWatcher wrote:
> This has been the most frustrating of the many car repairs that I've done
> over the years. I've replaced the passenger side drive axle on my '90 Civic
> four times and apparently I'm not done yet. The first three were ARI brand
> reman shafts which either were noisy or vibrated. Finally, I had the parts
> store order me an A-1 Cardone axle and I thought my problems were solved.
> But, now I've found that the seal is leaking. When I installed the axle I
> noticed it was considerably harder to insert into the transmission than the
> others but I was thinking the circlip in the end that retains it in the
> trans was hanging up. Now, I'm thinking they gave me the wrong shaft (yes I
> know how that sounds) that did not fit the seal correctly. Does anyone know
> if there are differences in the shafts for Civics, such as having a larger
> diameter where the seal fits?

there's different overall diameters - not sure if there's any
differences specific to the seal. chances are, as stated by the others,
it's a damaged seal. just replace it & you'll be fine.

> I noticed the Cardone axle was different from
> the others where the big nut is staked. It had a flat spot to flatten the
> nut against rather than a keyway.

don't worry about it - still works the same.

> I thought this was strange but I know
> that Honda frequently makes production run changes. Does anyone out there
> have a clue to what the problem might be? Wrong shaft? Bad mechanic?
> Phase of the moon wrong?
>
> BTW, this is an indie parts store that has an excellent local rep, but I'm
> frustrated beyond belief with them now.
>
> Thanks for any help,
> WW
>
>

The seal could be damaged, but on my 87 prelude,
there are like 3 different sizes of shaft, i
found that out while trying to find a new seal.
and they are cheap, like $10 a side, so you
might as well get them.

t

This has been the most frustrating of the many car repairs that I've done
over the years. I've replaced the passenger side drive axle on my '90 Civic
four times and apparently I'm not done yet. The first three were ARI brand
reman shafts which either were noisy or vibrated. Finally, I had the parts
store order me an A-1 Cardone axle and I thought my problems were solved.
But, now I've found that the seal is leaking. When I installed the axle I
noticed it was considerably harder to insert into the transmission than the
others but I was thinking the circlip in the end that retains it in the
trans was hanging up. Now, I'm thinking they gave me the wrong shaft (yes I
know how that sounds) that did not fit the seal correctly. Does anyone know
if there are differences in the shafts for Civics, such as having a larger
diameter where the seal fits? I noticed the Cardone axle was different from
the others where the big nut is staked. It had a flat spot to flatten the
nut against rather than a keyway. I thought this was strange but I know
that Honda frequently makes production run changes. Does anyone out there
have a clue to what the problem might be? Wrong shaft? Bad mechanic?
Phase of the moon wrong?

BTW, this is an indie parts store that has an excellent local rep, but I'm
frustrated beyond belief with them now.

Thanks for any help,
WW

After being replaced 4 times, I think that it is more likely that the seal
is just worn out or damaged.

"WaterWatcher" <replytogroup@donotmail.com> wrote in message
news:z-qdnXBXmN9l1trfRVn-og@comcast.com...
> This has been the most frustrating of the many car repairs that I've done
> over the years. I've replaced the passenger side drive axle on my '90
> Civic four times and apparently I'm not done yet. The first three were
> ARI brand reman shafts which either were noisy or vibrated. Finally, I
> had the parts store order me an A-1 Cardone axle and I thought my problems
> were solved. But, now I've found that the seal is leaking. When I
> installed the axle I noticed it was considerably harder to insert into the
> transmission than the others but I was thinking the circlip in the end
> that retains it in the trans was hanging up. Now, I'm thinking they gave
> me the wrong shaft (yes I know how that sounds) that did not fit the seal
> correctly. Does anyone know if there are differences in the shafts for
> Civics, such as having a larger diameter where the seal fits? I noticed
> the Cardone axle was different from the others where the big nut is
> staked. It had a flat spot to flatten the nut against rather than a
> keyway. I thought this was strange but I know that Honda frequently makes
> production run changes. Does anyone out there have a clue to what the
> problem might be? Wrong shaft? Bad mechanic? Phase of the moon wrong?
>
> BTW, this is an indie parts store that has an excellent local rep, but I'm
> frustrated beyond belief with them now.
>
> Thanks for any help,
> WW
>