EMPI Axles - Cheap replacement?

**dr_sharp** · #1: 10-31-2012, 09:44 AM

Whats up with this? Chinese knockoff?

http://www.partsgeek.com/gbproducts/...FUWnPAodnxkA6w

Every subaru parts website I can find has them listed anywhere from 325 up to 350 per axle.

**dr_sharp** · #2: 10-31-2012, 09:54 AM

Also, DTA even cheaper

DTA SB2043 New Premium CV Axle (Drive Axle Assembly) : Amazon.com : Automotive

**alex843** · #3: 10-31-2012, 10:06 AM

I have one of those EMPI axles in my car right now. Front passenger side. It works, no fitment issues, but was a little bit heaver than the OEM. Think I paid 80 at a local parts store.

**doctorbrody** · #4: 10-31-2012, 10:25 AM

I have an EMPI front axle as well - great axle, no issues after 40k miles.

**Max Capacity** · #5: 10-31-2012, 11:57 AM

I paid $80 bucks for some 100% new axle for the wagon over 2 years ago at the local Advance Auto parts. I have no idea what brand it is.

Works great.

**ragman** · #6: 10-31-2012, 03:47 PM

Yes...EMPI = cheap Chinese knock off.

They have been making vintage VW parts for years. Some of their stuff is just fine. Other stuff can be garbage. It seems that mainly their Quality Control is to blame. Sometimes parts get thru to the customer that should have been rejected....at least in the VW world.

Not sure how their subaru stuff is.

**dr_sharp** · #7: 10-31-2012, 04:17 PM

Thanks for the input guys. I think I'm leaning toward this company at this point:
http://www.raxles.com/

**zachste** · #8: 10-31-2012, 07:31 PM

Raxles (Marty is a great guy) is a great company. I used them when I owned my passat, and had multiple friends that used them as well. Marty only uses OEM axle shafts, and all new cv joints, no re grinds, and uses high quality boots. Highly suggest them, never heard one complaint from a vw guy. He even sends a shipping label for you to send your core back to him

**Drift Motion** · #9: 11-01-2012, 12:35 AM

they have a pretty big booth here at SEMA

If I have time tomorrow, I'll drop by their booth and take a closer look

**planelazy** · #**10:** 11-01-2012, 05:33 AM

My front passenger axle needs to be replaced due to a torn boot that I have no idea how long it's been torn. I was quoted around $80 at Autozone, a few people here have said they have the Autozone (whatever brand it is) part and there are no issues.

What is Raxles charging?

**zachste** · #**11:** 11-01-2012, 07:05 AM

I want to say for my passat, I paid around $190 or $200 shipped, plus $100 core if you don't have an OEM axle to ship back for a core. He doesn't charge the core up front though, he gives a couple weeks to ship the core back. If it's beyond that, I believe you can still send the core back and get the charge back.

**zachste** · #**12:** 11-01-2012, 07:07 AM

just looked it up on my bank statement, it was actually $219.80 shipped

**dr_sharp** · #**13:** 11-01-2012, 11:03 AM

he quoted me $150 which already includes a core charge. but he said that they include a prepaid ups sticker to ship the core back.

**Nrw** · #**14:** 11-01-2012, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dr_sharp

Thanks for the input guys. I think I'm leaning toward this company at this point:
http://www.raxles.com/

These guys do great work. Used their axles on my old car.

**sactojesse** · #**15:** 11-01-2012, 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ragman

Yes...EMPI = cheap Chinese knock off.

They have been making vintage VW parts for years. Some of their stuff is just fine. Other stuff can be garbage. It seems that mainly their Quality Control is to blame. Sometimes parts get thru to the customer that should have been rejected....at least in the VW world.

Agreed. Back in the 1960s and 70s, the original EMPI was known for high-quality aftermarket parts in the air-cooled VW world and, to this day, the original EMPI products still fetch top dollar. However, sometime during the late 1970s, the EMPI name was acquired by a company known as Mr. Bug and the new "EMPI" is just not the same. In fact, it's gotten much worse in recent years with some of their Chinese made parts. Here's a photo of a Chinese-made EMPI 1,700 lb. pressure plate that failed after less than 1,000 miles in my 1966 VW Karmann-Ghia: