Drivetrain Transmission, LSD, Clutch, Driveline, Axles...

Best quality axles?

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Old 08-17-2015, 11:38 AM
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Best quality axles?

So I need to replace the boots on my current axles soon, they're the originals with 9 years and almost 100k on them, and very cracked. I'd rather fix it procactively than having to clean grease off of things underneath the car.

I've already done a few axle replacements in other cars, and my main concern is that the axles are properly made and balanced, it would annoy me if the replacement axles caused a vibration.

The options I see are:

Replace the boots
($75 with grease?)

ZZP Stage 1 axles ($150)
ZZP LSJ Axles-Stage 1 - Transmission & Drivetrain

OTTP Stage 1 axles ($150)
OTT Stage 1 Axles

GM Stage 1 axles ($400)



I guess what it comes down to... is does anybody have experience with the ZZP or OTTP Stage 1 axles?
Old 08-17-2015, 11:40 AM
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GM axles from the wheel hop kit would be the best quality out of the options you listed.

I'd replace the axles rather than frig with axle boots. Take it as a reason to upgrade while ur at it.
Old 08-17-2015, 12:51 PM
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Best quality axles?

Best quality will most likely be the gm axles like staged said. I have ottp stage 1 axles on my lsj and have no complaints.
Old 08-18-2015, 09:12 AM
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the zzp GM Wheel Hop axles are going to be the bomb diggity ... thats what im going to with one of these days. GM LSJ Upgraded Axles - Transmission & Drivetrain

The stage 1 axles are better than stock for sure but still have their downfalls.

Do you plan to drag race the car ? If so, id go with the GM ones. If not the stage 1 will be fine.
Old 08-18-2015, 09:25 AM
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sub'd because I've been looking to pick up a pair of axles. I was leaning towards GMs.

I've had absolutely terrible experience with OTTPs in-house parts (mounts, CABs) and I probably won't buy their axles because of this.
Old 08-18-2015, 09:27 AM
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there axles are the same as zzp's .... ill message you about it lol
Old 08-18-2015, 09:52 AM
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Drive shaft shop make the best axles hands down. They do cost the most though.




Originally Posted by CobaltSS 16
sub'd because I've been looking to pick up a pair of axles. I was leaning towards GMs.

I've had absolutely terrible experience with OTTPs in-house parts (mounts, CABs) and I probably won't buy their axles because of this.
We had some bad bushings for the mounts, the design was updated a couple years ago to a solid bushing. Since then not one has failed. It is a much better part but they won't last forever because rubber breaks down. White lithium grease on them protects them and helps them last. New bushings are about $9 each and I would say have about a 5 year lifespan of 4 season driving.

As far as the cabs, you must be talking about the spherical joints as the delrin are bullet proof. I have seen 2 set to date that have torn boots on them, customers complained of a clunk on both and when I warrantied the parts the clunk was still there so the cabs weren't the problem. The first 50 sets or so of cabs that shipped out had a different boot on the joint, this is the style that has failed twice. The newer style is a better design. Pay shipping to and from us and I will repair or replace your cabs for free.
Old 10-15-2015, 10:26 PM
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A little update on this, I ended up going with the ZPP axles because they had the axle seals on their site.

Heres a few pic of the OEM axle and the ZZP unit.

After a few hundred miles, a mix of city and highway, I haven't noticed any vibrations or wobbles. Can't comment on their strength because I haven't been to the strip, and it's getting cold so first won't hookup on the street anymore... not expecting to be able to put them through any kind of real test as I only have a header + cat right now.
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Old 10-16-2015, 07:21 AM
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Originally Posted by Viperoni
A little update on this, I ended up going with the ZPP axles because they had the axle seals on their site.

Heres a few pic of the OEM axle and the ZZP unit.

After a few hundred miles, a mix of city and highway, I haven't noticed any vibrations or wobbles. Can't comment on their strength because I haven't been to the strip, and it's getting cold so first won't hookup on the street anymore... not expecting to be able to put them through any kind of real test as I only have a header + cat right now.
I have the same axles.... they are basically NAPA axles.

They are good axles, and I've had no issues with them.

The larger bellows in the boots will prevent future issues with splitting and leaking.
Old 10-16-2015, 08:59 AM
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Originally Posted by Staged07SS
I have the same axles.... they are basically NAPA axles.

They are good axles, and I've had no issues with them.

The larger bellows in the boots will prevent future issues with splitting and leaking.
they don't look much stronger then the stock ones. same thickness it looks like??

Do they offer a good warranty with them?
Old 10-16-2015, 09:05 AM
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Originally Posted by CobaltSS 16
they don't look much stronger then the stock ones. same thickness it looks like??

Do they offer a good warranty with them?
The center shaft is larger, not by much, but they have updated cages, heat treated splines, and high quality grease. Not to mention the updated neoprene boots with larger bellows to resist cracking.

Depends who you buy from... I know NAPA has a free replacement warranty.

They are def an improvement over the factory LSJ axles. They are no GMPP upgrade axles, but for the price, they are great.
Old 10-16-2015, 10:14 AM
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yeah those gmpp axles that zzp has are beef cakes !

gotta get me a set of those but there is this voice in my head that keeps yelling at me to stop modding the damn car already lmao
Old 10-17-2015, 04:08 AM
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a number of years back i had to change axles in my car (had been lowered a little too much without rotated mounts, axle bind) and i put in a pair of mevotech axles. they are just parts store replacements. think they cost me $80 each (canadian). they look identical to the zzp and ottp axles. its been at least 4 years, i think maybe longer, and they are still holding up just fine. ive been 250+ hp and lowered the whole time too.
Old 10-17-2015, 08:29 PM
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I took the plunge on the gmpp axles and no regrets. I dont do hard launches though but it does spin in 2nd often. Drivetrain feels solid
Old 10-21-2015, 02:00 PM
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Originally Posted by Staged07SS
The center shaft is larger, not by much, but they have updated cages, heat treated splines, and high quality grease. Not to mention the updated neoprene boots with larger bellows to resist cracking.

Depends who you buy from... I know NAPA has a free replacement warranty.

They are def an improvement over the factory LSJ axles. They are no GMPP upgrade axles, but for the price, they are great.
This, the updated boots do have larger bellows which should last longer as they would be stressed less.
Old 04-13-2016, 04:39 PM
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I broke an axle and replaced it with one from O'reillys. Now the car has a slight shake under acceleration. Need to take it back off and see if another replacement fixes it.
Old 04-19-2016, 11:36 AM
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Originally Posted by jdeshong
I broke an axle and replaced it with one from O'reillys. Now the car has a slight shake under acceleration. Need to take it back off and see if another replacement fixes it.
I feel like I get just a little shake under WOT now, but it's nothing really worth mentioning. Could be something else too, like a light misfire.
Old 05-11-2016, 10:40 AM
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This POS o'reilly cv axle just came apart this morning and had to tow the car home. Don't waste your money on these. Think I'll try the NAPA ones next. Never heard of any issues with theirs.
Old 05-11-2016, 02:16 PM
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Ordered a set of new not refurb Cardone axles through a Canadian dealer $120~ CAD+free shipping, they looked exactly the same as the Napa part. Slightly larger shaft, the cup for the bearings were much more robust with bigger tougher looking bellows and could tell the splines had been heat treated.

No issues after about 1000km with any types of driving.
Old 05-12-2016, 08:47 AM
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been running the zzp stage 1's for about 7 months now, car hasn't been under 500whp and I drive it like I stole it. I haven't been to the track yet, but the fact they've held about 20 40-140 pulls at 630+whp and a few launches on the street on dr's makes them a good purchase.
Old 05-12-2016, 11:40 AM
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Originally Posted by taytoe
Ordered a set of new not refurb Cardone axles through a Canadian dealer $120~ CAD+free shipping, they looked exactly the same as the Napa part. Slightly larger shaft, the cup for the bearings were much more robust with bigger tougher looking bellows and could tell the splines had been heat treated.

No issues after about 1000km with any types of driving.
I've had those installed on my car for 3 years now.

They work great.
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