I have a 2008 Honda Civic LX automatic transmission 4 door with 108,500 miles.

On December 16th, 2020, I installed new cv axle shaft assemblies on both sides. Last month I took a look, and they are covered in surface rust. My original cv axles didn't have any rust, but I guess these aftermarket ones didn't have a protective coating. Should I remove them and sand them and paint them so they won't rust as bad? Is the rust something to worry about? They are GSP brand (NCV36568 and NCV36569).

Also, there seems to be some play when I grab each axle and push and pull. It's not a lot, but there is definitely a little bit of play to make a click when I push/pull/shake. I checked with the car jacked up, and I also checked with the car on the ground (I had one side up on a ramp so I could slide under). There is a little play in the cv axles whether jacked up or on the ground. When I was seating the cv axles into the transmission it was really difficult, but they finally seemed to be securely seated. There's only a very small gap now where the axle fits into the transmission, and someone said that was normal. I also torqued the axle nut to 134 ft/lbs. Is there anything I should do about the play? Car seems to drive fine.

I do have a transmission fluid leak on the driver's side, so I'm going to remove the drivers side axle and try to reseat the axle seal. I replaced the hard rubber axle seal rings on both sides, but the driver's side is leaking. I don't think I got it in there straight enough. Passenger side has no leaking though! Any tips on installing the axle seal straight?

For years now, when I turn my wheel all the way to the left (usually in the morning when I'm leaving a parallel parked spot), it makes a single clicking noise. It seems to happen only after the car sits for a little while. When I turn the wheel to the right, I hear a click, and then keep turning and I hear another click. I replaced both front strut assemblies and sway bar links a year ago, but that didn't fix the problem. I was hoping that new axles might fix it, but it doesn't sound like it did. Any tips on the what click sounds could be from? Is it anything to worry about?

Thanks in advance for the help!

 

I removed and re installed the axle seal, and red transmission fluid is still leaking. I made sure to rub transmission fluid on the seal. Do I need to add grease to the axle seal? If so, what kind of grease? I have Sil-glyde. I don't want to keep removing the axle and re installing the axle seal, and continue to have a leak. I had it sitting as flush as possible. Should it be sticking out a little? or should it be in a little? Any tips are appreciated, thanks!