Axle Shafts & Parts

The axles are where the wheels are attached that support, move, and steer your car or truck. There are beam axles, stub axles and spindles to which non-drive wheels are mounted, and solid axles and halfshafts for drive wheels. A solid axle houses the differential and axle shafts in a live axle suspension system, while halfshafts are used to transfer power from the transaxle or differential to the wheels on vehicles with independent suspension.

Solid axles are most often found on trucks and older RWD cars, but are also used at the front on heavy-duty trucks. The axle shafts may be retained inside the differential with C-clips and rotate on roller bearings pressed into the axle tubes, or bolt to the axle tubes and have bearings pressed onto the shafts. The inner ends of the axles are splined to the differential side gears. The differential housing may bolt on or be integral with the axle housing.

Halfshafts have splined shafts that project from the CV Joints at each end and fit into the side gears of the differential or transaxle on the inner ends and the wheel hubs at the outer ends. On some vehicles there is an intermediate shaft between the transaxle and halfshaft. Halfshafts can need repair because of worn CV Joints, indicated by noise and vibration, or torn boots, which allow the joint to become contaminated and wear prematurely. Axle bearings and differential components on solid axles can wear and cause noise and vibration, and worn axle seals can result in loss of lubricant and brake parts contamination.

From minor repairs on axle bearings and seals to major jobs like complete rear axle replacement, we have all your axle service needs. However, even routine service can become more involved. The bearing contact surface on some axle shafts can wear, axles can become bent from wheel/tire contact with obstacles like curbs, and axle shaft splines can twist when exposed to excessive loads, complicating what started out as a bearing and seal replacement. We have time and money saving solutions like direct replacement axle shafts that include the bearing, seal, and even wheel studs and nuts.

Our complete halfshaft and rear axle assemblies are the ultimate time and money savers. Instead of spending a lot of time and effort disassembling and inspecting CV Joints once the halfshaft is removed, just replace your old shaft with our complete replacement halfshaft assembly. You’ll not only save time and money but also have the security that comes from knowing all wear parts have been replaced. And instead of tackling rebuilding and setting up a ring and pinion and bearing preloads, install a complete replacement rear axle assembly that’s been set up by professionals and had all common wear parts replaced. It is going without saying that more horsepower produced by a high-performance engine can significantly increase the forces that you axle shafts have to deal with, and cause their damage. That's why if you're going to tune up your engine, don't forget to replace your axle shafts with high-performance ones we offer.