WARNING Z06 axle shaft from O'Reilly Auto Parts
11-29-2009, 06:46 AM
#1
Racer
Thread Starter
Member Since: Feb 2004
Location: Harriman Tennessee
Posts: 400
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
WARNING Z06 axle shaft from O'Reilly Auto Parts
Just wanted to pass along my experience/nightmare with replacement axle shafts from O'Reilly Auto Parts.
It all begins with me doing something stupid and damaging a boot on the stock right rear axle shaft. Called around and O'Reilly has a remanufactured one in stock so I go pick it up and install it.
Haul the car to Barber and the second session of the weekend the outer boot starts throwing grease. So I get the car home and remove the offending axle shaft. Cleaned it up and could not find where the grease is coming from. I took it back to O'Reilly and they replaced it under warranty. Install the second O'Reilly axle shaft. Checked clearance and made sure nothing was hitting the boot.
Haul the car to NJMP and the second session of the weekend the outer boot starts throwing grease. So I get the car home and remove the offending axle shaft. Cleaned it up and found a 1/4 inch split in the boot where the grease is coming from. I took it back to O'Reilly and they replaced it under warranty. Install the third O'Reilly axle shaft. Checked clearance and made sure nothing was hitting the boot.
Haul the car to VIR the second session of the weekend my wife nearly kisses the wall in turn three. Looking at the video starting in turn two anytime she tries to turn left the car just starts to rotate. She does a good job finally of looping it and coming to a stop in the grass. When she comes in and we look under the car the inner band clamp on the inner boot on the O'Reilly axle shaft has slipped off. The flopping boot has collected the right side brake line and wiring harness and wrapped them around the axle shaft!
OK so now I am really going nuts with this. I have checked all the clearances, diff mount, hub, everything I could think of. I also had some others more knowledgeable in Corvettes look it over and we are all stumped. So I but a GM axle shaft from a Z06 being parted out by a friend. I installed it and have now had two great track weekends in a row with no axle shaft issues.
Comparing the boots on the O'Reilly axle shaft with the GM the difference in the stiffness of the rubber is amazing. The O'Reilly boot you can easily squeeze it from both sides all the way into the shaft. The GM boot you cannot do this too. Also the GM boot has a distinct V shape to the folds where the O'Reilly has more of a U shape.
I did talk the third shaft back to O'Reilly and showed them a GM shaft also. They gave me a full refund and apologized. The store manager wrote a report up and sent it in with the third shaft. Maybe they will change vendors or get a better boot on their replacements. I will never know because it is only GM for me now on these!
It all begins with me doing something stupid and damaging a boot on the stock right rear axle shaft. Called around and O'Reilly has a remanufactured one in stock so I go pick it up and install it.
Haul the car to Barber and the second session of the weekend the outer boot starts throwing grease. So I get the car home and remove the offending axle shaft. Cleaned it up and could not find where the grease is coming from. I took it back to O'Reilly and they replaced it under warranty. Install the second O'Reilly axle shaft. Checked clearance and made sure nothing was hitting the boot.
Haul the car to NJMP and the second session of the weekend the outer boot starts throwing grease. So I get the car home and remove the offending axle shaft. Cleaned it up and found a 1/4 inch split in the boot where the grease is coming from. I took it back to O'Reilly and they replaced it under warranty. Install the third O'Reilly axle shaft. Checked clearance and made sure nothing was hitting the boot.
Haul the car to VIR the second session of the weekend my wife nearly kisses the wall in turn three. Looking at the video starting in turn two anytime she tries to turn left the car just starts to rotate. She does a good job finally of looping it and coming to a stop in the grass. When she comes in and we look under the car the inner band clamp on the inner boot on the O'Reilly axle shaft has slipped off. The flopping boot has collected the right side brake line and wiring harness and wrapped them around the axle shaft!
OK so now I am really going nuts with this. I have checked all the clearances, diff mount, hub, everything I could think of. I also had some others more knowledgeable in Corvettes look it over and we are all stumped. So I but a GM axle shaft from a Z06 being parted out by a friend. I installed it and have now had two great track weekends in a row with no axle shaft issues.
Comparing the boots on the O'Reilly axle shaft with the GM the difference in the stiffness of the rubber is amazing. The O'Reilly boot you can easily squeeze it from both sides all the way into the shaft. The GM boot you cannot do this too. Also the GM boot has a distinct V shape to the folds where the O'Reilly has more of a U shape.
I did talk the third shaft back to O'Reilly and showed them a GM shaft also. They gave me a full refund and apologized. The store manager wrote a report up and sent it in with the third shaft. Maybe they will change vendors or get a better boot on their replacements. I will never know because it is only GM for me now on these!
11-29-2009, 09:16 AM
#2
Premium Supporting Vendor
Glad you finally got this sorted out.
I have the two that I think I mentioned when you were picking up the trans from Advanced that I will compare to the stock ones from my car.
Hope all is going well.. not a lot of progress on my car...
Talk to you later.
I have the two that I think I mentioned when you were picking up the trans from Advanced that I will compare to the stock ones from my car.
Hope all is going well.. not a lot of progress on my car...
Talk to you later.
11-29-2009, 04:09 PM
#4
Instructor
Member Since: Jun 2007
Location: Dallas TX
Posts: 146
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Always be cautious of the parts you get from a "retailer" such as Advance, AutoZone, O'Reilly's. There sales are generally based upon the cheapest price, thus you get what you pay for.
My best luck has been the local CARQUEST store. They sell more to installers and repair shops, thus higher quality parts. Note, they are also have a cheaper line to compete with the retailers, just ask for the "blue" or "gold" premium lines used for their wholesale business.
My best luck has been the local CARQUEST store. They sell more to installers and repair shops, thus higher quality parts. Note, they are also have a cheaper line to compete with the retailers, just ask for the "blue" or "gold" premium lines used for their wholesale business.
11-29-2009, 07:47 PM
#5
Racer
Thread Starter
Member Since: Feb 2004
Location: Harriman Tennessee
Posts: 400
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Take a close look at the boots. You will notice how stiff the stock ones are and how angular the folds are. If the aftermarket ones are softer and have a more curved fold in the boot I would return them ASAP! Do not install!
The trans feels great!!
Remember my question about the fitting for the remote bleeder and wanting a tapered like the original. I called RPM a couple of more times and they said they were going 100% to the tapered fitting to cut down on leaks. They also said they had mailed me one. Well I gave up waiting and finally put the car back together and followed your advice...so far no leaks!! Oh and of course the new fitting in it's ripped envelope arrived the next day!Any way thanks for all your help!!!!!!
12-01-2009, 12:57 AM
#6
Premium Supporting Vendor
You have got to get that car back together!
Take a close look at the boots. You will notice how stiff the stock ones are and how angular the folds are. If the aftermarket ones are softer and have a more curved fold in the boot I would return them ASAP! Do not install!
The trans feels great!! Remember my question about the fitting for the remote bleeder and wanting a tapered like the original. I called RPM a couple of more times and they said they were going 100% to the tapered fitting to cut down on leaks. They also said they had mailed me one. Well I gave up waiting and finally put the car back together and followed your advice...so far no leaks!! Oh and of course the new fitting in it's ripped envelope arrived the next day!
Any way thanks for all your help!!!!!!
Take a close look at the boots. You will notice how stiff the stock ones are and how angular the folds are. If the aftermarket ones are softer and have a more curved fold in the boot I would return them ASAP! Do not install!
The trans feels great!!
Remember my question about the fitting for the remote bleeder and wanting a tapered like the original. I called RPM a couple of more times and they said they were going 100% to the tapered fitting to cut down on leaks. They also said they had mailed me one. Well I gave up waiting and finally put the car back together and followed your advice...so far no leaks!! Oh and of course the new fitting in it's ripped envelope arrived the next day!Any way thanks for all your help!!!!!!
Glad it worked out for you and if you need anything, let me know.
12-01-2009, 12:55 PM
#8
Tech Contributor
Member Since: Dec 1999
Location: Anthony TX
Posts: 32,736
Received 2,180 Likes
on
1,583 Posts
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
You have got to get that car back together!
Take a close look at the boots. You will notice how stiff the stock ones are and how angular the folds are. If the aftermarket ones are softer and have a more curved fold in the boot I would return them ASAP! Do not install!
The trans feels great!! Remember my question about the fitting for the remote bleeder and wanting a tapered like the original. I called RPM a couple of more times and they said they were going 100% to the tapered fitting to cut down on leaks. They also said they had mailed me one. Well I gave up waiting and finally put the car back together and followed your advice...so far no leaks!! Oh and of course the new fitting in it's ripped envelope arrived the next day!
Any way thanks for all your help!!!!!!
Take a close look at the boots. You will notice how stiff the stock ones are and how angular the folds are. If the aftermarket ones are softer and have a more curved fold in the boot I would return them ASAP! Do not install!
The trans feels great!!
Remember my question about the fitting for the remote bleeder and wanting a tapered like the original. I called RPM a couple of more times and they said they were going 100% to the tapered fitting to cut down on leaks. They also said they had mailed me one. Well I gave up waiting and finally put the car back together and followed your advice...so far no leaks!! Oh and of course the new fitting in it's ripped envelope arrived the next day!Any way thanks for all your help!!!!!!
Thanks for any information you can provide.
Bill
12-02-2009, 12:14 PM
#9
Le Mans Master
There are more than a few parts on these cars that are best purchased as OEM's Funny thing is many times they're less expensive than the no-name replacement parts.
12-03-2009, 11:49 AM
#10
Racer
Thread Starter
Member Since: Feb 2004
Location: Harriman Tennessee
Posts: 400
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I used thread sealer on it and really tightened down on the crush washer. Two weekends at the track so far and no issues. I would prefer to have the tapered fitting which you can now get from RPM!
