I need to replace the front passenger side half axle (and possible the driver's side soon) on my 2005 CR-V EX AWD with automatic transmission.

I've replaced CV boots, ball joints, and control arm bushings in the past, but this is my first occasion to actually purchase a new half axle.

RockAuto and id Carid have several brands available: APWI, Surtrack/Trakmotive, Cardone Select, GSP North America, and USA Industries. Any thoughts on which are the best in terms of build quality, performance, reliability and durability? Any brands that I should completely avoid?

Also, RockAuto says on their site that the Surtrack/Trakmotive half axle does not include the ABS ring. Do I need to order one separately, or can I use the one from my old axle? I don't remember if I did anything with the ABS ring when I did the boot replacement, but I don't think so.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

For this part, aftermarket has been known to cause problems. I wish that wasn't true.

https://honda-tech.com/forums/honda-...ation-3292892/

 

Thanks. I'm suspicious of them when they are $40-60 and the best on-line price for Honda OEM for my 2005 CR-V is $479 on HondaPartsDirect.com. Other online OEM sites are all around $500. That's just too big a difference.

What about Raxles? They say they make their own all new axles, but don't quote prices on their site. I'm going to call them in the morning to get a quote. They have a lifetime warranty.

 

While poking around on Ebay I found a company called Insane Shafts that seems to make a number of different axles for Honda/Acura vehicles. I think I'd found on their site at one point that they make a set for the 2nd gen CR-V...probably front only. They're not cheap at $370 bucks a pair, but they're cheaper than Honda, and since they're rated to withstand 500hp, they're probably quality parts. Searching their site isn't the most intuitive thing because you can only sort by brand and not model, so it might be worth calling them. Here's a link to their site:

Insane Shafts | Race Proven Axles

As for Raxles, I'd suggested them once before to someone looking for 1st gen axles, but they came up with nothing for that vehicle. I'm not sure if the 2nd gen ones are better supported or not, but it's worth a call. They do make quality parts, and probably less "performance oriented" (read: cheaper) than Insane Shafts.

 

Matt, thanks. I have heard back from Raxles, and they don't make an axle for my 2005 CR-V. I'll check out Insane.

What about taking a flyer on the junkyard route - finding a unit with intact boots and giving it a try? There don't seem to a lot of them in the salvage yards yet, but I could get lucky.

Any idea if the CV axles from all gen 2's are compatible? That would expand my options. Also, I think there may be some crossover with the Element. I'm going to do some crosschecking with part numbers today to see what I can find, and them check some yards as an option.