EMPI axles

keith · Post by **keith** » Sun Feb 25, 2007 9:22 am

Drivers side EMPI axle available. Passenger side not listed yet

http://replacement.car-stuff.com/parts/ ... c=true#top

I just ordered one, I'll keep you informed on how it works out. 92 and change plus tax, free shipping.

waynehoc · Post by **waynehoc** » Sun Feb 25, 2007 10:43 am

Keith, the passenger side is also listed on the same page, but they are described as "Remanufactured Like New"? Doesn't seem to be any info indicating that they are EMPI, or that the use new EMPI inner and outer joints? Is there something I am missing?

Had a peek at the Rock Auto catalogue, and they list the same CVU4494 and CVU4495 - indicate that they are remanufactured. The CV Unlimited website shows the same part #'s?

Typrus · Post by **Typrus** » Sun Feb 25, 2007 1:07 pm

EMPI's site has the axle assy's listed as 80-6137 and 80-6138 for 83-86 Tercel's. Whether that applies to 4wd's or not I dunno.

waynehoc · Post by **waynehoc** » Sun Feb 25, 2007 1:57 pm

I think it is worth restating that the halfshafts are identical for '83 thru '86 hatchbacks and '83 thru '88 wagons (2Wd and 4WD).

keith · Post by **keith** » Sun Feb 25, 2007 6:48 pm

The CVU axles are remans. They are listed at many sites, The EMPI catalog lists the axle part numbers, but according to a rep at EMPI, they were still in development in January. This was the first time I've seen an EMPI axles for our Tercel's listed in any web site, and only the left side was listed here. I placed my order this morning and I'll keep an eye out for the right side to become available.

neonsport · Post by **neonsport** » Mon Feb 26, 2007 9:30 am

I spoke with a the axle rep at Empi last week, and both part numbers were in stock. Unfortunately, they don't sell direct, and there's not a distributor in Arkansas. I haven't yet found an online source to buy them.

keith · Post by **keith** » Mon Feb 26, 2007 6:32 pm

They confirmed my order, but I don't see it listed anymore. Wonder what happened.

waynehoc · Post by **waynehoc** » Mon Feb 26, 2007 6:58 pm

neonsport, have a look at my post here
viewtopic.php?t=2235&highlight=empi
You could contact John - highly recommended - and see what the cost would be for him to drop ship directly to you. You pay him, he ships from within the US directly to you.

If you go this route, let us know how it works out.

Wayne

neonsport · Post by **neonsport** » Thu Mar 01, 2007 3:39 pm

As of today, both Empi axles are listed as being available. It's time for me to bite the bullet and drop $185 on a pair.

Post by **ARCHINSTL** » Thu Mar 01, 2007 4:58 pm

Please keep us posted on this; at $185 the pair, the price is only $20-30 more than O'Reilly, AutoZone, Advance, et al. And this is for totally new everything - nothing remanufactured?
Tom M.

neonsport · Post by **neonsport** » Fri Mar 02, 2007 10:42 am

The Empi axles are totally new, with a redesigned outer joint. The old joints were a fixed tripod design, which meant they couldn't be rebuilt. The durability of the outer joint on the "remanufactured" axles depended entirely on a good outer joint to start with. If it was making any noise before it was rebuilt, it was going to make noise again in short order.

Now if I could only get a refund on the AutoZone axles I've been running for the last couple of years. I'm getting tired of replacing them every few months.

coltarms · Post by **coltarms** » Fri Mar 02, 2007 12:34 pm

Anyone run these? I called Raxles in florida and Marty (great guy) said that they're pretty good but that they source a lot of their parts from china. I've also read some negative writeups on other forums, but not enough to form an opinion.

I'm in need of new shafts.

Typrus · Post by **Typrus** » Fri Mar 02, 2007 4:39 pm

Everyone I know who runs EMPI's loves them.

Not everything out of China is bad. Hell, my bowl I'm eating chips and salsa out of right now is made in China and these suckers are tough as nails. They don't like to break.
I'm not saying its all good either >.<

coltarms · Post by **coltarms** » Fri Mar 02, 2007 6:46 pm

I meant nothing against china manufacturing. I called Raxles and asked if he had shafts for our tercs and he said no, he wouldn't build 'em because he couldn't get new outer joints and he refused to grind joints. He said that if he couldn't build a part to his own personal quality levels, he wouldn't put his name on it. When I asked about EMPI, he said that he knows of them and that he's never heard anythig bad, but he personally doesn't use their parts because they source from China and he likes to stay homegrown.

When I mentioned to him that I was on my second clicking remanufactured shaft he asked who built it. I told him ARI and he started laughing. He knew about their filing for chapter 7 AND chapter 11 last summer. Said he knew a few people who worked there, and that they were a-holes. Said that they handed out surprise pink slips with paychecks to their employees, and that their quality sucks. Marty is quite a character......check out his web site Raxles.com.....

-Dave

keith · Post by **keith** » Fri Mar 02, 2007 8:45 pm

Mine is due to arrive Monday and I'll put it in next weekend. If its as good as I've heard, I'll order the other side and then let you all know. Personally, I just want good axles, and if no one is making them here at all, then I'll get mine from China. It won't be like someone here lost his job if no one here had the job in the first place.