Axle too short??? Help!!!

jackmarkgrafjackmarkgraf Band Wagon
in Engine & Drivetrain
Hey everybody,

I've got an '88 Honda Civic Wagon RT4wd that I'm trying to replace the front d/s axle on. I've gone to advance auto twice and both axles they've given me are about 1 inch to short and the axle keeps pulling out of the half-shaft. Any ideas?? Maybe using an integra axle instead? It's stock engine etc... Thanks.

Comments

  • White&NerdyWhite&Nerdy Senior Wagonist
    Advance will NOT get you the correct driver's side axle. They got me two, and both were too LONG (for a FWD, not RT4WD).

    I don't have a suggestion for you, unfortunately, because I never did manage to get a replacement. Fortunately it was only my passenger side axle that was bad.
  • judebertjudebert familEE
    I had problems getting the right axle from AutoZone. Our problem wasn't the overall length, but the splines in particular.

    The AutoZone computer didn't know the difference beween a Civic and a Wagon. The Advance computer did, when we eventually checked later. Sorry to hear you're having such trouble with it.

    The right axle fits with no problem; it doesn't require anything more than a firm shove to seat it. For the love of whatever you worship, don't hit it with a hammer! You'll shatter the bearings.

    Good luck getting the one you need. Maybe somebody else here has a part number.
  • evol911evol911 familEE
    When I'm at the parts store and I'm looking for a Wagon(usually RT4wd) specific part, I make the parts jockey look up their part number for a wagon and their part number for a civic/crx... if its the same then you know its wrong. If its a different part number you should be good. Although getting the part is a different story... just recently I ordered valve locks for my ZC, 32 to do all the valves. They come in bags of 8 so I would need 4 bags, I show up 2 days after ordering them and they only send one bag to AutoZone so the parts guy orders 3 more bags to complete my order, I wait 2 more days then only get one more bag. 2 bags shy of completing my head, so I return what I have and get my money back ($47 dollars for valve locks WTF!!!) then go to Schucks and order the same 32 valve keepers for $12!!! I have an account at Schucks :D Might have them today 8)
  • fettcolsfettcols Wagonist
    I love it when you tell them it's a civic wagon... they look at you like you're the dumbass and say "are you sure it's not an accord"
  • jackmarkgrafjackmarkgraf Band Wagon
    Yeah, I'm at a complete loss... The only thing I can think of is that they are giving me a p/s axle from a regular civic/crx or something... The splines fit fine and it went into the hub/half-shaft fine. But after 1 turn it pulls out of the half-shaft and I get under there and it's sticking out just over an inch... This is frustrating...

    The d/s and p/s are the same length since it has a half-shaft right?? (same axle pretty much)
  • White&NerdyWhite&Nerdy Senior Wagonist
    Hmm, I never had both of my axles out at the same time to measure them. Interesting point, though - and the purpose of the intermediate shaft is to equalize the lengths of the half shafts. No torque steer from this beast. :)
  • alupso1alupso1 Wagonist
    I still have my old axles from when I replaced them last year, when I get home from work I can try and measure them to give you an idea.

    I bought them from http://www.rockauto.com/ and didn't have any issues putting them in. Only bad part is no warranty because I wouldn't want to ship them back.

    Have you also check the rings at the end of the axle? Sorry I forgot the name of it. I know last time I bought some axles from AutoZone the rings were seriously f*cked and I had to swap them with the old ones to get the axles in.
  • fettcolsfettcols Wagonist
    Are your lower control arm bushings good? Maybe worn out motor mounts giving some movement? Has the car been hit before?
  • jackmarkgrafjackmarkgraf Band Wagon
    The lca mounts are good, the motor mounts are a little worn but I wouldn't think to the extent of pulling the axle out... The snap ring on the axle is good as well...

    If somebody could give me the measurement of what the axle should be I'd greatly appreciate it.
  • jackmarkgrafjackmarkgraf Band Wagon
    I finally got this straightened out. Stupid Advanced Auto Parts was giving me the axle for the regular 4 door civic. Thank God for O'Reilly's who had the right one. Advanced Auto Parts has forever lost my business and O'Reilly's just obtained it.
  • HaydzHaydz Moderator
    Any chance you guys that got the right axles could post up the appropriate part numbers for anyone else searching int he future? :)
  • White&NerdyWhite&Nerdy Senior Wagonist
    Oh, yes please!!! I replaced my passenger side axle but still haven't done the driver's side because I can't find one. Fortunately it's still perfectly good.
  • teamolsteamols New Wagonist
    i use the cv shaft from a 1990 da teg non abs application and with a manual trans.and they always send me one with a abs reluctor on it but it works fine. the axles are equal length because of the intermdiate shaft.
  • dalowdadalowda New Wagonist
    so recently ive got my wagons stance where i want it and i so decided to replace the cv's while i was at it.

    Napa!!!! is the only one that can get correct length and correct spline count shafts for the rt4wd fyi!!!!!!
    dont bother with advance, pep boys, oreilly, auto zone or what ever eles.
    I missed the summers first big honda meet in my area do to the wrong axles being sent to me :x

    however in the near future i will be going to an equal lenght shaft set up with modified inter shaft :)
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