CV Shaft Horror (WARNING: may contain photos not suitable..)

[Northern Ontario]

Greetings,

I have recently had a catastrophic failure of “CV DRIVE SHAFTS” which were purchased Feb. 13 2013 from CV Joint Aust Pty Ltd (License Number MVRL49185) http://stores.ebay.com.au/suzukisuper a company from Australia

The whole experience has been nothing short of horror.

Here is the rundown.

13/2/2013 Purchased 2 new CV Drive Shaft for $585.55 CAN with shipping
(Stated warranty 12 months or 20,000km)

23/2/2013 Installed (Odometer 154001 km)

23/4/2013 Discovered 3 ripped cv boots (See attached photos)
(Odometer 163454)

Well under warranty. The dealer refused to refund my money or send new parts. Claimed that the boots could not live up to Canadian climate. He claimed, too much heat, and too much freezing caused the problem. (huh?) Offered to send new boots (same as the defective ones which already claimed would not last in Canada). I declined the offer.

I explained that once the boots had been ripped and full of sediment that the life of the shaft was greatly reduced. I also explained that the cost to strip, clean, rebuild, reboot and reinstall, would cost more than the new parts. I felt I should not have to pay to repair faulty parts out of pocket.

Dealer refused to honor warranty.

I had my mechanic reboot them with boots purchased in Canada and paid for this out of pocket.

18/08/2013 Drive shaft destroyed (odometer 170594)(photo attached)
Note:Still well under warranty 1 year/20,00km

My mechanic said he has never seen this in all his years on any vehicle.

Contacted the seller. No response. 3 email notices sent. I am being Ignored.

I have contacted Fair Trade in NSW AUS. I have grounds to sue if I choose to proceed.

So just a WARNING please consider my situation if you are considering parts from
http://stores.ebay.com.au/suzukisuper

I am now in the market for CV Shaft for L400 Delica 1996

Anyone have any parts?

Any leads would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks for taking the time to read this.

N.Ontario

[MardyDelica]

hi, that's sad,
do you have a higher lift in your delica.
if you do have that could always be the problem all the time
boot will damage every 2 or 3 month even new.
but actual drive shaft could be made in china not good quality one or just defective don't know.
have some good used one come from japan on my scrap delica if you need some
cheers;

[Rattlenbang]

That's one of the problems with ebay; there are some very shady vendors out there. I would raise this with ebay as your purchase should be covered by their insurance, and if the vendor is found in the wrong and won't refund, they will shut them down.

I'm not sure what's going on with aftermarket CV joints, but I have yet to find any that last any amount of time. I had a 91 Acura integra; those joints lasted 20,000k. With a VW Westy, I went through 3 in one year, and we're not talking same manufacturer. In the long run the only worthwhile option is to source OEM, even used, with a new boot kit installed. I've seen German axles last almost 400K (with boot replacement of course). You wouldn't think it would be so difficult to engineer good aftermarket CV joints, but I know of no brand that does.

[Northern Ontario]

After finding them on e-bay i called them to check specs and stuff. The only way for me to purchase them shipped to Canada was through a paypal request.

They seem like a pretty large company. They assemble them and sell them. Customer Service not included.

[Rattlenbang]

Ebay goes through paypal. You didn't go through the ebay checkout? If they told you you couldn't go through ebay but had to pay outside of ebay, that's against the ebay terms of service. It's likely too late now, but if you report them, ebay will shut them down. Vendors do this to avoid ebay fees and to avoid ebay getting involved in disputes. Basically they're crooks, but you already know this. That's really crummy dude, and an important to reminder to all of us to never pay outside of the ebay system, and if a vendor asks you to, run away fast (after reporting them). At this point your best bet is to pick up a pair of used ones, licking your wounds.

For what it's worth, I've done several thousands of dollars worth of transactions online and only once have I ever been screwed, and that was dealing, like you did, directly with an a-hole. Ebay actually is your surest source, as long as you follow their directions to a t.

[Big-Bird]

I have seen a CV joint grenade like that but it was a lifted IFS Nissan pickup. The joint couldn't handle the increased drive angle and it snapped off just like yours did. I am sure that his 33" tires also contributed to the misery. What a pain in the a$$, he only had 2wd and an open diff so had to be towed out most of the way

If Mardy has used shaft's with boots that are good condition and the joints are also good then get a set. Delica CV boots can also be purchased closer to your home from Toronto. I doubt he has cv axles.

http://www.rightdrive.ca/

[Northern Ontario]

I truly appreciate all of the support and suggestions.

PM sent to Mardy for parts (as suggested).

Complaint filed with E-BAY in regards to issuing payment off site as suggested) (re: terms and conditions violation).

[thedjjack]

you could get new OEM boots for the used shafts and install when you get them...

I just did a CV on my Subaru I give it a year maybe two...why do we settle for this junk...problem is you cannot figure out good from bad anymore...

any lift in that thing?

[Rattlenbang]

There is no good in aftermarket axles. OEM, used or new, or go home

[macro]

Brutal!! I just replaced most of my boots, but the replacements I got from RMI seem to be a little too long. I'm hoping that with the lift it will actually increase the life of the boot because they'll have a little more flex to them . Just a thought!

[Northern Ontario]

I have rebooted cv's on the way and some manual hubs, so hopefully no more problems!

I Really appreciate all the support and help everyone has provided.

Thanks again..

N. Ont