Front CV Half Shafts - Motorcraft? Or can I go cheaper?

[BrianDye]

When I had my 2009 Edge, the ABS Tone Rings had water freeze under them, and it snapped it off the axle so it spun freely. Decided to replace the whole half axle on either side, and Motorcrafts were nearly $400, while all other brands were anywhere from $40-100 each. I went with a cheaper one I think for $40 or so, and though it worked great, I had a bad vibration on acceleration afterwards. Only while accelerating, nothing else. Not while cruising, slowing down, etc. Had to be the half shaft because thats all I replaced at the time.

I would like to replace them in my Explorer because I very soon will be doing pads, rotors, ball joints, tie rod ends, etc and want to get it all done in one sitting. Im confused again, because there are half shafts starting at $25 on RockAuto, up to about $80, and then the Motorcraft's jump right to $370+ each.

Has anyone used a non-Motorcraft unit here? I wonder if I just happened to get a bad unbalanced unit when I did them on my Edge.

 

[Explorer_PL]

Why do you want to replace the CV shafts ? How many miles ?

I have all original ones at 220k miles and they are fine.

But if you do, I would go with aftermarket ones, I saw some one eBay from Detroit Axle, all they do is drivetrain parts. Pair for $ 100, worth the risk in my opinion.

 

[BrianDye]

When I'm in 4x4 high or low, I get some nasty noises when turning, I assumed that's the half shafts, no?

 

[jp450]

When I'm in 4x4 high or low, I get some nasty noises when turning, I assumed that's the half shafts, no?

All my 4x4s make nasty noises while turning when in 4WD. It's normal.

 

[MotorCityFats13]

in low you always get nasty noises while turning.... the center diff is locked and it was not designed for making too many turns if any at all.... high you get some noises but way less than in low.... I just did my right front hub because it had a 1-2mm wiggle after I noticed my tire was getting outside wear... and it cleared up most of the nasty noises while turning... after getting the bearing off it made some nice sounds when I spun it by hand.... I was thinking the shafts when I first heard these noises but I dont replace things unless I know they are 100% faulty... and after I jacked it up last weekend... I knew the one bearing was failing and ordered a pair off ebay $85 for the pair, got them thursday and why not change it with the weather we had on sunday

the other is a spare for future use... even the cheap bearing should last long time since I torqued it down to the proper 185ftlbs lol

 

[BrianDye]

Hm, if you guys say so.

I've driven other 4x4 vehicles including my past older Explorers and they haven't sounded like this. I mean I have no other reason to replace them, so I guess I can't argue though.

When my auto 4x4 kicks on (which is essentially like 4x4 high right?) I can feel a groan almost like bad bearings but I replaced my hubs when I bought the X so I know those aren't bad. It's only when it kicks into 4x4.

 

[Explorer_PL]

It will groan on dry surface but you should not drive in 4x4 then. See if it makes noise on the snow, or some wet grass, it should not.

 

[BrianDye]

Yeah it does it no matter what surface, dry or slick. Cant control the auto, as its automatic obviously. If the fronts are engaged whether it be me pressing the high button, or the auto 4x4 kicking in. Its not a bad/loud groan, but its there. Really sounds identical as a freshly-bad wheel bearing.

I posted a thread awhile ago asking about a "BWM" for the 4th generation to disable the auto system, but still have control of the buttons if I need to use it, but everyone shot the idea down without much help. (Brown wire mod on a 3rd gen basically puts a switch in line of the main power to the 4x4 so it cant engage automatically, then you can turn it back on and it function as normal)