Have you had to replace any axles?

[Shneegle]

I autox my car and its prob about 1.5" lower than stock. Ive got clicking noises coming from one axle. I got an extra from a wrecked car for like $50 shipped off ebay that is ready to go if I have one go out.

Originally Posted by redlined600

I asked this in another thread but didn't get an answer. Are the axles symetric, meaning one part number?

Yes. If you try to find the part number for the axles there is only one. Meaning they have to be symmetric.

[strat61caster]

Originally Posted by Shneegle

Ive got clicking noises coming from one axle.

Depending on the noise it could just be a worn out axle nut. Is it only on accel/decel or does it happen at other times? If it's the former I say spend $5 and try putting on a new axle nut, that fixed my clicking noise. iirc it popped up around 40k miles, I fully expect to have to replace them again before I hit 100k.

[DAEMANO]

Originally Posted by Shneegle

I autox my car and its prob about 1.5" lower than stock. Ive got clicking noises coming from one axle. I got an extra from a wrecked car for like $50 shipped off ebay that is ready to go if I have one go out.

Yes. If you try to find the part number for the axles there is only one. Meaning they have to symmetric.

The -1.5" lower than stock part is causing your problem. Keep running this car hard that low and you will pop an axle.

I was running -1.6 rear -1.4 front and lost my drivers rear axle. $100 fix, no problem
Switched to -1.4 rear - 1.2 front and lost another drivers rear axle (more violently this time.) $100 to fix as well as my ring and pinion got hosed in the process and various seals ($1200 later, I'm back on the road)

Now at -1.2 rear and 1.0 front and have been happy as a clam running hard for 10k miles. Unless adding differential spacers, I would not again run this car lower than -1.2 hard for any amount of time.

[DAEMANO]

Originally Posted by gramicci101

I don't think there was ever a consensus on a particular height causing the problem, other than the extremely lowered stance and drift cars. People lowered 1-1.5" have tracked their car with no issues. Others lowered less than 1" have blown axles. I personally think anything lower than 1.5" is pushing your luck.

Kinda mostly true, see my above post.

[DAEMANO]

Originally Posted by TylerLieberman

Quite a few of us drift guys have blown axles on stock power levels.

Granted we're drifting and some of us are pretty low, but just to give you an idea.

I planned on eventually upgrading as used axles are like $200 each and brand new one from Toyota/Subaru is like $400. Might as well just bite the bullet and spend the $900 on DSS ones and not worry about it again imo.

The DSS axles will also blow if ran too low as well. It's not so much a matter of materials or WHP rating, its a matter of design. Running very low (more than -1.2 ish) stresses the cage inside the CV outside of its' operating parameters. That's also why people have reported popping DSS rated axles on this car. Adding diff risers is the only thing that's effectively worked consistently for anyone with a car running very low. Parts Shop Max makes and installs these out of San Diego. I'm sure there is a local shop near anyone that could also install them given PSM's great DIY for it.

[Shneegle]

Originally Posted by strat61caster

Depending on the noise it could just be a worn out axle nut. Is it only on accel/decel or does it happen at other times? If it's the former I say spend $5 and try putting on a new axle nut, that fixed my clicking noise. iirc it popped up around 40k miles, I fully expect to have to replace them again before I hit 100k.

Already replaced the axle nut when I did ARP studs, it wasn't the cause. I've got the spare axle ready to go, not worried about it.

Originally Posted by DAEMANO

The -1.5" lower than stock part is causing your problem. Keep running this car hard that low and you will pop an axle.

I know it will fail eventually and have parts ready to go when it does. The 1.5 is also a guesstimate. About to change to a set of AST 5200's so the height could change soon.

[DAEMANO]

Originally Posted by Shneegle

Already replaced the axle nut when I did ARP studs, it wasn't the cause. I've got the spare axle ready to go, not worried about it.

I know it will fail eventually and have parts ready to go when it does. The 1.5 is also a guesstimate. About to change to a set of AST 5200's so the height could change soon.

True, used axles are cheap to buy ($50 to $150).

Point is, when the axle pops, it can damage other parts attached to it (wheel hubs and parts in your differential.) In my case, the second time I lost an axle it also took my ring & pinion (final drive.) Total cost on that was $1400.

[smg1138]

Originally Posted by DAEMANO

Point is, when the axle pops, it can damage other parts attached to it (wheel hubs and parts in your differential.) In my case, the second time I lost an axle it also took my ring & pinion (final drive.) Total cost on that was $1400.

Reading that really freaked me out. I'm currently lowered -1.5" in the back and I'm thinking I might raise it back up 1/4" to be safe.

[A 2]

Coming from an S2000 where the forum gurus have recommended tightening the rear axle nut beyond the factory spec, I wonder if tightening the rear axle nuts will alleviate the issue?

https://www.s2ki.com/forums/s2000-un...sb-diy-929843/

[DAEMANO]

Originally Posted by smg1138

Reading that really freaked me out. I'm currently lowered -1.5" in the back and I'm thinking I might raise it back up 1/4" to be safe.

Recommended. When I raised mine back up to its' current height, I thought it would bother me. Turns out I can't even see the the height anymore and I appreciate that the suspension has just that much more travel.

[DAEMANO]

Originally Posted by A 2

Coming from an S2000 where the forum gurus have recommended tightening the rear axle nut beyond the factory spec, I wonder if tightening the rear axle nuts will alleviate the issue?

https://www.s2ki.com/forums/s2000-un...sb-diy-929843/

That's usually the first thing people do on this board (tighten the axle nuts). This happens when they hear 'clicking' at low speeds. Still if they stay lowered beyond the point I mentioned and drive hard the angle on the axles go snap.

[A 2]

Daemano - thanks for the insight. Where can I find information on how much to tighten the rear axle nuts and to what spec? The BRZ is now my track car and I'm in the process of learning to drive it. I still have my S2000 and use that primarily for autocross.

At this time I have no plans of lowering the BRZ. Want to run it in stock class in the Northeast 86 Cup. Over the winter I'll start thinking about adding a bit of camber.

[smg1138]

Originally Posted by DAEMANO

Recommended. When I raised mine back up to its' current height, I thought it would bother me. Turns out I can't even see the the height anymore and I appreciate that the suspension has just that much more travel.

What are your measurements at the pinch welds? I think my rear fenders are uneven, so that might give me a better idea where to set it.

[DAEMANO]

Originally Posted by A 2

Daemano - thanks for the insight. Where can I find information on how much to tighten the rear axle nuts and to what spec? The BRZ is now my track car and I'm in the process of learning to drive it. I still have my S2000 and use that primarily for autocross.

At this time I have no plans of lowering the BRZ. Want to run it in stock class in the Northeast 86 Cup. Over the winter I'll start thinking about adding a bit of camber.

Got the spec from the factory service manual located here (big download, but a must for any owner.)

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=8374