996 C2 CV axle replacement recommendations
 

I’m getting a rotational knocking sound from the rear end in my 99 C2. Having someone check it out next week. Been told it’s probably a cv axle. I did some checking on aftermarket axles and they are just as pricey as oem. Has anyone had issues with vibration or other problems with aftermarket cv axles? I’m hoping maybe the repair kit will be the fix.

Had both axles changed a few weeks ago with OEM. At 126000 miles.
Had a clunking sound (excessive backlash) when accelerating slowly, easing of gas pedal and then re-applying gas pedal.
All better now.

sounds like same problem I have now. Mind me asking how much you paid for everything? What made you not go with aftermarket ones?

If OEM is the same cost, most 996 owners would say to stick with OEM, on the basis that Porsche knows best on these cars 99% of the time.

oem, from what I’ve seen, was like 400 more per side.

Think of it this way...you have a 99 C2 so your car is 21 years old. You didn't state mileage but I'm guessing 100+K miles. Porsche designed, engineered and built your car with some of the best components. They really do want their cars to be reliable and work right. I have always found it best to replace parts with Porsche parts. I won't drone on but I have seen some big mistakes made with non-Porsche parts, not up to the standard and poor quality. In the end, does an aftermarket part company really give a crap about your car? Porsche does. Buy new Porsche axles and be done with it! It's only money...but knowing you have the right part for the right job is priceless.

75k on the car. And the parts I have found were German made parts. I would trust them more than I would if I were buying an aftermarket part for a Camaro. And yes the cars 21 years old. Hard to justify 1800 in parts for a car that is worth what, 18k?

Can’t look at it that way. If this car were sold today exactly as has been built now, it would be just like any 911 - $100k+

I already spent $15k in 3.5 years on a car I bought for $17k.

TCO for a new 911 is almost equal to the acquisition price itself (e.g., $100k purchase plus $90k other costs), according to Edmunds.

I like your optimism. But this car built today would probably be less than it was back in 99. The basic technology(which I love about the car) would be much easier to duplicate today than it was in 99. These cars are supposed to be so reliable. And some of the cheapest to own compared to other “exotics”. To put 15k in a car after 3.5 years... man, it would be out the door for me. I love this car. But I’d love a newer one better. Especially if I had 32k wrapped up in it already.

Maybe the 911 isn’t the car for you then. Porsche 911’s are expensive no matter if you pay now (new car) or pay later (old car repairs and maintenance).

Don’t get me wrong, plenty of 996/997 owners pay much less in repairs and maintenance over 3 years. My 2000 Boxster S cost me $1500 over 3 years, including new tires.

I was lucky, so are others.

But the day will come, if you have the car long enough, when one has to pay the piper. DIY saves a huge amount, maybe 70-80% of the cost. But some part are just outright insane. And some small repairs still require huge effort of time, special tools, etc.

I think the better response is, maybe a 21 year old 911 isn’t right for me. Lol. I don’t mind putting money into my cars. Always have and always will. I’ve always tended to have had cars with remaining warranties so I never had much to worry about as far as repairs. This is the first car, out of warranty for me in a long time. I have someone who’s going to be doing the work so I’ll save compared to dealership prices. It’s the parts bill that will outweigh the labor.

You are right, a car under warranty might cost just as much money as a 21-yr-old over a given time period. And then of course, the hassle of repairs might not be there for the newer car, not to mention, a lot of newer cars are faster, more capable...

The 992 forum has a thread on 0-60 times and some of those folks - many of them - are getting 2.9 seconds for the S model. Wow, more capable all day long. That’s Turbo fast. And some of those S models are like $150k

oh I don’t buy new. Never will. I buy certified. Had a panamera 4, cayenne, Panamera turbo s and a cayenne gts. All certified. Full warranty. Fraction of the price. I’ve been looking at a few 997 GTS. That’s really what I’d like.

Honestly I have no idea on CV axle aftermarket compared to OEM. That being said, my 996 no longer has an OEM IMS bearing for a reason. It was not the best part or engineering, it seems. Personally, I’d do what you have done and find someone with personal experience with the part. Just saying.

that’s why I’m hoping to get some feedback on here. There’s always good and bad with both sides.