EMPI Axle Assembly

Your car needs nothing but an axle assembly that is robust enough to carry an enormous amount of load. When you and your passengers ride your car, this axle assembly is what bears that load along with the existent weight of the car body. Aside from being a macho component, the axle assembly must also keep the wheels of the vehicle at the right distance from each other all the time. These functions make the axle an important component that needs to be chosen well when you are seeking for a replacement. There are also a lot of shopping considerations, from the number of splines and surface diameters to the overall axle length and spindle nut size and thread, among others. Before buying a replacement, check out first if an axle assembly from EMPI is worth your trust.

Features

• Heat-treated and machined center shafts and axle bars for durability
• Cold-rolled threads and splines for overall strength
• Molybdenum grease-treated joints for smooth operation
• OE specifications for the number of splines for the inner and outer boards
• Constant Velocity (CV) joint type
• Includes boots, axle nut, and stainless boot clamps
• New, direct-fit, and original equipment replacement
• Carries a year or 12,000-mile EMPI limited warranty

We tested this component on a Mazda 2 and a Nissan Infiniti, and here is what we have to say:

Thumbs up

• We were very happy with the speedy installation since all of the parts needed were provided. The process took only about thirty minutes.
• No vibrating and shuddering was experienced around the front transmission area when driving the 2 and the Infiniti for half an hour each. This was due to the CV joints that perfectly fit together and responded smoothly whenever the steering wheel was turned to any direction and degree.
• There was no growling or humming heard from the axle joints, which could be attributed to them being well-greased that made them contribute to the smoother operation of both vehicles.
• We tried to vary driving speeds during the thirty-minute test for each vehicle, but we never heard any noise related with part incompatibility or damage. The axle was very solid.

Thumbs down

• There was an intermittent sound at the driver side of the axle, which we found out later to be due to the said axle part hitting the steering shaft when turning. Some readjustments of the component on the Infiniti slightly made the noise less annoying, but that on the 2 did not improve.
• Although the price of the axle assembly is along the middle range, the one-year or 12,000-mile limited warranty offering is a bit unimpressive; AutoTrust offers an unlimited warranty for five years, while A1 Cardone offers a lifetime limited warranty.

Verdict

Based from the tests we did using the 2 and the Infiniti, this EMPI axle assembly was able to function properly (the hitting-the-steering-shaft noise was actually a minimal issue, which we considered to be installation-related). Although EMPI does not give a longer warranty for such a structural product, the price is good enough for it to be a worthwhile replacement part. But in the end, only time will tell if you will love it or hate it.