I have a 2001 4.2Q with two noisy front axle shafts. Advance Auto Parts sells new (not re manufactured) GSP brand shafts for $74.99 each. I ordered both, only to find that the transmission side of them has the wrong bolt pattern. My A6 is a March 2001 model, and the guy at the parts store thinks that maybe the car has 2002 axles. Has anyone had any experience with this issue from Advance? Audi of Jacksonville tells me that they list the same part number for all 4.2 axle shafts for 98-04. I'm confused. Anyone?

 

I'm not sure about the competence of Advance (or Autozone) when it comes to Audis. Although I use Autozone at time I always make sure I know what part numbers I need to protect myself.

In your case - I'd check part numbers on-line from various sources to see what light that brings to the subject. I'd focus on Audi specific sites like Blauparts etc. If all else fails I'd call Force Five in Concord NH and ask them about rebuilt half shafts and tell them your problem. $
75.00 each for rebuilts sounds a little low ---

 

As it turns out, the shafts that Advance lists for the 2002 fit my 2001. I would imagine it's the incompetence of Advance's parts system more than the employees themselves. I fell into a good thing going there, because the guy I usually deal with has an A6, and has impressed me with his knowledge of the cars.

When it comes down to it, a car is a car, whether it be an Audi or a Chevette. They have the same systems, general principles, and catalog of parts. It's more the engineering prowess and finished product we pay for in our cars, not the parts themselves. I wouldn't be so quick to just write off national parts stores merely because the majority of their clientele drives cars whose parts are readily available. Don't take that as a flame, I just don't care for the attitude that our cars are too good for national parts stores. Just my two cents.

 

I just recently put on a new axle shaft that I got from oreily's and its working just fine. The new axle bolts it came with where too long but I just reused my old ones because they came out without a hitch. Cost about 80$ for the axle.

 

I might decide to replace my CV shafts instead of my floor mats, as the shafts you put are cheaper...

What would the bamboo finder indicate?

 

Sorry to set you off like that, I don't think I inferred that national parts places are not good enough for Audis. But there is a big difference in the quality of parts that you get from places like Autozone etc, the top line auto parts stores, and Audi.

Take tierod ends for example - the AZ tie rod ends are sealed while those from NAPA have grease fittings and last significantly longer. The Audi tie rod ends are always top quality.

I just spent 1/2 day looking for a good locking gas cap for my daughter's car and after going to AZ, VIP, Pep Boys and Walmat I finally got one from NAPA that looked as if it would slow down someone that wanted to open the cap.

In many cases you can get Audi parts that are good enough from the cheep places but some of their items are just cheep knockoffs that fail quickly or don't fit. (YA YA I know - The same can be said about other vehicles also.) Ever get a Chinese brake rotor?

There are certain things I alwayd defer to Audi - or German suppliers - because I know they will be right and I will not have to do it again in a few months but there are other things that don't make a difference.

As for the quality of people -- Like everywhere - there are good knowledgable people and poor stupid ones. If you found a good one great! But I'd guess that they are not prevalant at the lower quality places.

 

@NH_USA: Agreed. I wasn't necessarily ranting at you, just ranting in general.

Yeah, the shaft for the driver side ended up being about $10 more than the passenger side, ordering for 2002, not 2001. They have a lifetime warranty, so if the boot even tears, you just go back and get a new one. And after you've taken them off once, it's about 10 minutes off, 10 minutes on per side with an impact gun. So I think I can deal with that if I need to remove them again.

 

Ranting is good for the soul and helps protect the cat from abuse.