Axels for 1996 2.4L 4-speed Cavalier LS convertible? Parts stores wrong? - Maintenance and Repair Forum

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Axels for 1996 2.4L 4-speed Cavalier LS convertible? Parts stores wrong?
Friday, July 22, 2022 11:44 AM
Both axles failed on my wife's 1996 2.4L 4-speed LS Cavalier convertible. I took it to my favorite mechanic (whom I trust and have been using for many years) to have the axles replaced. They just called me to say that they tried 2 different new axles from their parts supplier that were supposed to fit, but neither fit. They are frustrated and are going to order a 1994 axle to see if it fits. This seems crazy to me. If I go onto RockAuto.com, there are 5 different manufacturers (FVP, Trakmotive, Cardone, GSP & APWI), that sell new axles that supposedly fit the 1996, 2.4L 4-speed. It looks like the GM part number is GM-8049. Does anybody have any experience replacing the axle on a 1996 2.4L 4-speed? Any suggestions?

Re: Axels for 1996 2.4L 4-speed Cavalier LS convertible? Parts stores wrong?
Saturday, July 23, 2022 1:42 PM
If all else fails, you may be able to have the original ones rebuilt.
Re: Axles for 1996 2.4L 4-speed Cavalier LS convertible? Parts stores wrong?
Monday, August 29, 2022 4:03 PM
Following up in case this helps anyone...

For my 1996 2.4L 4-speed automatic, RockAuto.com lists 5 different axles as fitting but apparently only 3 of those 5 models fit. The pictures show that 2 of those 5 axles have axle-rods between the boots that are disproportionately long relative to the original axles-- and in fact those axles are too long to fit.. The other 3 models have shorter proportionately-correct-looking axle-rods and should be fine. Of those 3 models, my mechanic recommended the Cardone brand. So I bought two Cardone 661323 axles, which fit.

Apparently the manufacturers of the too-long axles mistakenly tell the parts-suppliers/vendors that the non-fitting models fit-- even if though they don't fit. That problem is apparently not limited to RockAuto because, by random bad-luck, my mechanic ordered two different models of too-long axles from his local parts-supplier, neither of which fit.

On RockAuto.com, if you look at the photos:
The (correct) shorter-looking axles are the Cardone 661323, the AWPI GM202A, and the GSP NCV10585 for ~$70 each. The Cardone & GSP also available on Amazon.

The (incorrect-looking ) longer-looking axles are the Trakmotive GM8049 (which is one of the too-long parts that my mechanic ordered), and the FVP GM8049. DON"T BUY THESE!

Side note: All of these axles are female-splined at the transmission-side. You (or your mechanic) will need to transfer the male-male splined axle stub from your old axle to your new one. Though you can buy new axle-stubs for ~$100 each, if necessary.
Re: Axles for 1996 2.4L 4-speed Cavalier LS convertible? Parts stores wrong?
Monday, August 29, 2022 4:31 PM
Wow, you've went through quite an ordeal. Glad you were able to get the correct ones.
And thank you for letting everyone know about what you ran into.
Re: Axles for 1996 2.4L 4-speed Cavalier LS convertible? Parts stores wrong?
Thursday, December 15, 2022 11:52 AM
After my mechanic installed the new axles, one of them started to leak, so I bought (and he installed) new axle seals. If you replace the axle(s), I recommend that you also replace the seal(s).
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