Axle problems

[97gprixgtp]

Hi all, I have a 97 gtp and am having issues with the pass. axle. It seems that the inner joint continues to slap the engine cradle from what I can tell. With the wheel off all looks normal but put it on the ground and it is hitting somewhere. It slings the boot right away and the axles last about 6 months. I made the mistake of having someone do the first one but the 2 after I have done. The car does not seem to lean or sag to that side and nothing looks bent. The only info I can find is the compressed length between the sc and non-sc axles. Is the joint different on the inner? I do not know if the right axle was originally installed and that maybe by ordering the same part number I have been getting the wrong one over and over, or if the rebuilder is using the wrong or a generic joint. Any help is certainly appreciated as I am stumped. Thanks, John

[Trannyman95]

The axle shouldnt be close at all to hitting the engine cradle! There should be about 1-2" or more of room between the axle and the cradle and should never be questionable to worry about. If you cant stick your finger between the axle and the cradle then it is sitting way too low. The lower engine mount is on the passanger side just in front of the axle and when they age or get soaked with engine oil from a leaky engine they will collapse and drop things down a bit so make sure it is dry and in good shape. Otherwise i see a lot of aftermarket used and new axles go bad in as little as 5K miles regardless the warranty. There are brand new axles available at most auto parts stores for the $100 range with a lifetime warranty but they arent near the quality of an OE GM axle.

[97gprixgtp]

Well the axle is not failing other than because the boots are coming off then they fail. The inner joint is slapping something. It has a new motor mount already. I am going out there now to change it I will then be able to see if it actually cracked the joint like the last time or what. Thanks for the response I will see what is up.

[97gprixgtp]

Ok well after tearing it apart the mount was soft. Did a tensioner on it a bit back must have got coolant in there I guess as I am not losing fluids. But anyway that straightened out the axle. Thanks for the input.