CGT Axle info-Rebuilt axles

[John Larson <jdlarson@ix.netcom.com>]

Good morning. I mulled over this subject this morning while in the
shower, and I can't write what I thought. It amazes me that people buy
"rebuilt" drive axles. You cannot successfully "rebuild" a worn out CV
Joint. Period. These guys take the OK (not the word "OK") ones from a
huge pile of cores, wash them pretty well, paint the shaft, and replace
the boots that are too shabby to get by the customer. I've seen axles of
a so called "reputable" brand with early Rabbit CV Joints welded on a
later axle because the snap ring groove isn't there on the later axles.
I've seen Asian car axles with snap ring grooves that would no longer
support the use of the retaining ring. and I've taken apart low mileage
"rebuilts" and seen 100K mi wear that I wouldn't have put in a customer
car. The new grease is often the only thing preventing a rattle or
clunk. 
Maybe on a 150K Dodge Colt, or a car where there is no way the person
could EVER afford a proper repair, but not a performance car.
I've read vigorous defenses of the practice by so called "reputable
rebuilders", but without replacing the joints, I fail to see how they
can repair the broken cages, grooved races, and pitted balls., as well
as the other snap ring and shaft problems that can be present.
Furthermore, most mass marketers operate to a price rather than a
quality standard. NAPA doesn't particularly fall into this category, but
they have had a difficult time adjusting to lines of cars not made in
"Detroit". We frequently run into problems with the traditional auto
parts industry dividing the market into "Domestic", "Imports", and
"European". Parts availability and expertise is often far behind the
others for European cars.
Sorry if I rambled, We're just getting open and the phone won't let me
think. Thanks for listening to my rant.
John