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    Rear axles

    Hello,
    What are my options to source these? I don’t want anything that will break in two weeks but also don’t have $1000+ in the budget. Any help would be appreciated.

    #2
    There are many options. Someone on FB R3v was selling rebuilt GKN axles for $260 a pair, shipped. He's in San Diego.


    Last edited by reelizmpro; 02-08-2019, 09:51 AM.
    "I'd probably take the E30 M3 in this case just because I love that little car, and how tanky that inline 6 is." - thecj

    85 323i M TECH 1 S52 - ALPINEWEISS/SCHWARZE
    88 M3 - LACHSSILBER/SCHWARZE
    89 M3 - ALPINEWEISS II/M TECH CLOTH-ALCANTARA
    91 M TECHNIC CABRIO TURBO - MACAOBLAU/M TECH CLOTH-LEATHER

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      #3
      I literally just went through this shopping experience, as it was time to PM the race car axles.
      I googled this 100 different ways, read a million forum posts from all different forums and car types.
      The choices are basically (3) when you distill it down.

      (1) Cardone rebuilds which are a complete crapshoot.
      Even if they dont say Cardone, supposedly any axle that is sold as "rebuilt" (as in requires a core) no matter what brand / company label is on the box comes from the Cardone company. Apparently they are the only ones actually doing the rebuilds.
      With these rebuild you never know whats coming out of the box.
      I didnt even consider this option.
      I have never seen one that the splines were not just fucked.

      (2) A slew of "New" Chinese axles, all sold under about 20 different brand labels, but at the end of the day they all seem to be Chinese axles.
      It seems like the labels are endless GSP, FEQ, Sure Trak, DSS, etc, etc.
      Basically all seem to be under $100 and all come from China (my assumption was probably all from the same factory).

      (3) New GKN / Loebro which are the only ones that seem to be BMW quality.
      Best price I found was Turner / ECS @ $250 ea., buyer beware with those two as evidenced by my post in the Turner / ECS thread, they may as well have shipped them in a shopping bag. Two expensive, heavy axles with easily damaged threads and splines just chucked in a box with literally 2 thin strips of air pillows as packing. Assholes. I literally wanted to get in an airplane, go to their warehouse and pick a fight I was so mad when I opened what was left of the shipping box.


      Since this set of axles I was shopping for was intended for my race car and DNFs cost way more than the cost of the broken parts, I did the GKN option.

      For one of my 100% street cars, I might gamble on trying a set of Chinese axles just to see what they are all about.
      Or at least buy one just to hold one in my hand and see what they are all about.
      Last edited by JimmyP; 02-08-2019, 09:31 AM.
      Jimmy P.
      87 E30 M3 Prodrive British Touring Car
      88 E30 M3 Zinnoberot - Garage Queen
      88 E30 M3 Lachsilber - SCCA SPU #98
      92 M Technic Cabrio - S14 Powered!
      98 318Ti Morea Green
      04 Ford F350 Dually Tow Machine

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        #4
        When I rebuilt the drivetrain and suspension on my E30 a few years ago I went with the GKN Loebro ones. At the time I got them from RM European and they seemed to be packaged a little better than what JimmyP describes. Each one was in its own GKN-branded cardboard box (a box that was properly sized and obviously intended for the product), and those were packed into the larger box with the rest of my stuff.

        I have no idea who owns RM European or of they are independent or what, but they are one of the few remaining places I still like. They do not have the lowest prices, but they are reasonable.

        Transaction Feedback: LINK

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          #5
          I purchased 2 new GKN. Fcp has lifetime warranty but if the originals last almost 30 years these might too and who knows what 2050 will look like. I chose OE as I’m planning road trips and I’m not getting stranded from a crap axle.

          That being said I think GSP is the main Chinese manufacturer for all the e30 axles. Most others seem to be repacked.

          Issue is new Chinese ones historically have had weak cages and break as well as non forged axles. You could buy 2 new GSP ones from ECs, but 2 nasty used ones and get new hardware from the GSP and the used “cores” from donors. I’ve seen that route. Beware new GKN are slightly different design (no hump in center) and made in Spain. That said they are still OE quality replacements.


          Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
          OBD1 S52 E36 Compact
          84 318i M10 Zender

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            #6
            I rebuilt my factory ones. Details in my build thread. I can elaborate if helpful
            _______________________________________________
            5 Year M3 Build, In Progress
            RMT200 Retrofit

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              #7
              I thought about rebuilding mine and I still have the cores, but when the balls or cages wear or develop play, there is no amount of "rebuilding" we can do as users.

              Us "rebuilding" them is just a re-grease with new boots (which is the same thing I think Cardone does, thats what I have heard}.
              Jimmy P.
              87 E30 M3 Prodrive British Touring Car
              88 E30 M3 Zinnoberot - Garage Queen
              88 E30 M3 Lachsilber - SCCA SPU #98
              92 M Technic Cabrio - S14 Powered!
              98 318Ti Morea Green
              04 Ford F350 Dually Tow Machine

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                #8
                Yeh, my internals were fine, just needed re-packing and a good cleanup. Noticeable improvement in mobility after i did the rebuild
                _______________________________________________
                5 Year M3 Build, In Progress
                RMT200 Retrofit

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                  #9
                  just put two GSP axles in our 325is race car. they came packaged nicely. I didn't take them apart before putting them in, but externally they looked ok and the CVJ's were tight with no play. we will see how they do on first race weekend, but for the price..worth a try.

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                    #10
                    I ordered the “Chinese” ones, and will roll the dice since it’s street use only. Thank you all for the comments! Very helpful.

                    Comment


                      #11
                      do not. DO NOT :) .

                      use chinese axles.
                      i bought 2 autozone duralasts and snapped the passenger side one maybe 10min out.
                      on the street. with street tires...

                      put in some old torn greasy oem ones from the junkyard. Holds fine.

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                        #12
                        GKN are far superior and worth the $$ over Chinese axles. As mentioned, for ~$500 you will never have to buy another pair.
                        john@m20guru.com
                        Links:
                        Transaction feedback: Here, here and here. Thanks :D

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                          #13
                          Look into Indianapolis Rack and Axle http://www.indianapolisrackandaxle.com/index.html

                          I have their rebuilt axles in my NSX (yes - I know different car). The axles have many track days on them and are still going strong. I think the pair were less than $300. (2016 prices).
                          1990 M3

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                            #14
                            Click image for larger version

Name:	diff & axle3.jpg
Views:	797
Size:	84.2 KB
ID:	9952778 I have an '89 e30 Touring & i've installed a '98 Z3 LSD diff. When I went to bolt the rear axles to the diff I noticed the difference in the flange diameters. The existing rear axle flange is approximately 98mm where the diff flange is 113mm.

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                              #15
                              Originally posted by EastCoastErik View Post
                              Click image for larger version

Name:	diff & axle3.jpg
Views:	797
Size:	84.2 KB
ID:	9952778 I have an '89 e30 Touring & i've installed a '98 Z3 LSD diff. When I went to bolt the rear axles to the diff I noticed the difference in the flange diameters. The existing rear axle flange is approximately 98mm where the diff flange is 113mm.
                              Use the stub axles from a medium case e30 diff and sell your z3m stubs to an e46 m3 dude building a centered locking unit setup.

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