BrazenZ

I recently purchase level 5 axles back in June and I received them at the end of July. They were installed and driven for less than 1000 miles. My Z was put back in the shop to install coilover shocks when we noticed that the rear tires bearing had play in them. We removed the rear wheels and discovered that the rear bearing hub had bottomed out on the splines on DDS axles before the inside hub bearing had made contact with the collar flange bolted to the DDS axles. Because rear bearing was not backed, this left play in rear bearing which wore them out. I have been in contact with The Driveshaft shop and they are aware of the problem. I had a pair of spacers made at a machine shop and have bolted the axles back in place. I have yet to test this repair and will make a post to final outcome. If you have recently purchased a set of axles you need to check this. You will not feel the play till the bearing has already wore out. You can't see the gap with brake rotors already installed. The best way to see the if you have a problem is to put the bearing hub directly on to the axle splines and tighten the nut to specs, then look at the collar directly behind the axle splines, If you see a gap between the inside bearing and spline collar then you have a problem.

2004Black350z

iTrader: (37)

Sucks man. On the other hand checked out ur sig and u have a very sick build. Idk if u have a thread about ur car but what's ur numbers?

XKR

iTrader: (1)

Great info....keep us informed !!!

Crom

iTrader: (47)

There's another member on here that had the same issue a while back...

IIQuickSilverII

iTrader: (13)

I have your solution brazen already in my car... DSS axels pro series

phunk

iTrader: (21)

how much are those anyway? i have a feeling that my still-clicking 46000 mile axles are not gonna last much longer.

JET MECH

iTrader: (2)

yeah that was me.....i ended up rebuilding the stockers and those POS DSS axles are still under my work bench collecting dust. dont get me going about those axles again!!!!! it has been a while.

Crom

iTrader: (47)

Whats the difference between those and the "pro" ones....?

IntenseSales

iTrader: (64)

Good info for sure, we had seen this issue before and had been notified by DSS on it. Retail on these axles is

Nissan 350Z Level 5 900HP Rear Axles
$1599.99 Retail, we do offer these at a discount though if anyone is interested... bwahahaahahahah

IntenseSales

iTrader: (64)

We have Pros on the G35 and they include new CV's instead of using the stock ones! I believe they are not quite available to the public but can be scored upon request.

kevinapex

iTrader: (22)

I have level 5s also. less than 200 miles all the cap bolts that hold the shaft to the cv walked out!
The tq specs. read 38 ft.lb... thats what I did 38 no thread lock either.
I got all new cap bolts from a fastener shop, and some red rubber thread lock material called Vibra-Tight, tq them to 70ftlbs all is well.
The shop has sense changed the tq. spec!!!
Tore up the inside of the hub from the cap heads extending out, sucked!
Kevin

BrazenZ

Well this really pisses me off, It sounds like they knew about the problem and did not notify anyone till it happen a couple of other purchasers. Frank at DDS acted like my complaint was the first.

BrazenZ

We just got the injectors for the car today, I am going to run a 6 psi til the engine is broken in then go to 15 psi. In about a month I going to write up a post about the whole experience.

meatbag

iTrader: (9)

I'll have to check this on my car as I have some of the early generation level5's so I probly have all the problems possible.

meatbag

iTrader: (9)

Bump, how did your fix turn out? I just sent mine back to DSS for this problem. They are putting a flange on the end to try and correct it.

nismo240r

Hopefully this isn't a generic problem with their axles. . .i just bought their 600hp axles for my S14. . .I'll let you know how they look. . .

BrazenZ

Sorry about not getting back to this thread, Hurricane Ike hit my area pretty hard. DDS have contacted me and were sending shims that are nearly 1/4" thick, the shims I made were .080 thick which is a little more than 1/16 of an inch. I have about 250 miles on the car with many 350 rwhp passes on a dyno and so far no problems with the shimmed axles

meatbag

iTrader: (9)

If you space the axles 1/4" back out isn't that going to keep you from inserting the cotter pin? Or did they machine that collar down some and then put the shims on it?

ADMAN

iTrader: (9)

Dayum. Similar problem Nissan had on the 03 units. Click... Click... Click...

meatbag

iTrader: (9)

Well i got my axles back from them and reinstalled. Been driving on them for about 1000miles now and the driver side wheel bearing is shot.....again. This makes the 3rd set of bearings ruined by these axles.