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2-3 months ago, I installed new remanufactured A1 cardone axles.

After installation, I noticed that the axle shafts did not spin perfectly true compared to the OEM units I pulled out. I didn't notice much vibration while driving, except a very slight amount in the steering wheel at speeds of 60mph+.

Coincidentally, the front passenger side wheel bearing went bad a few weeks after installing the axles, and that made we wonder if the axles are slightly bent and prematurely wearing out the bearings.

In the video below (2min), you can see the axles in action. The driver side axle has a very slight wobble while the passenger side has a more noticeable imbalance.


Can anyone comment on this? Am I being too picky? I'm just afraid of keeping these in and risking damaging the bearings again.

I haven't turned in my OEM axles yet for core credit, would it be legit to ask O'Reilly's Auto Parts for a refund? As an alternative, I'm considering going with Raxles, but those require the OEM cores.

 
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You're being too picky.
All axles wobble to a certain extent, especially when it isn't held perfectly straight. Your old ones did it too.
They didn't cause your wheel bearing to go bad--unless you left the big nut too loose.

Axle wobble is not imbalance.
Your shake at 60, this is imbalance.-- probably needs the tires balanced.

 
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Thanks for taking the time to respond, Ezone. Your response does make me feel better about the situation.

What causes them to not be held perfectly straight? Is it because the car is lifted and the wheels are lower than normal?


I torqued down the axle nut to 140 ft-lb. What order of magnitude of looseness are you talking about? If my torque-wrench was slightly mis-calibrated and the actual torque I delivered was only 130 ft-lb, would that affect the bearing?

 
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geez,

you are alot braver then i am, did you not see any potential dangers while taking this video?....if not, a stuntman might be a good career for you

 
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Yeah thank god the two scissors jacks I had supporting the car didn't fail from the vibration of the car.



Just kidding...

I had it supported with jack stands. The car wouldn't budge when I threw my entire weight at it.

 
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You'd have to study how various constant velocity joint designs operate. There are a few. The shaft between the joints must be free to move and change as needed in order to keep the outer ends moving at the same speeds when operating at an angle.


Zero or finger tight would have been too loose.

10ft-lb less than spec wouldn't be an issue IMO.

 
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i wasnt meaning the support of the car,

i meant getting too close to moving parts

 
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Good to know. Thanks again!

 
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It may look like I do it all the time, but I have a stunt double.

 
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LOL...

I can see how the camera angle makes it look like I'm getting really close to the wheel. Actually, one time as I brought the camera into the wheel-well to get a view of the inner part of the axle, my arm brushed the spinning wheel but it didn't really hurt.