Dithrain

When I first purchased my S it would make small clicks over particular camber turns every now and again. Took it to a mechanic and he said "It's your axles. It's not a big deal." Alright, I said.

Click becomes a pretty thunderous "CLUNK" over hard right turns. It sounded like it was coming from the center of the car, but more towards the drivers side. The passenger side had no problem.

Took it to the same mechanic. "Differential bearings are bad." Took it to a motorsports transmission and driveline specialist. "I have no idea. Keep driving it." Called another local Honda specialist. "It's the axles. 100% certain."

I'm a bit of an OEM whore, and $800 for 1 axle is a little steep, so I figured the best option was diff fluid, and CV joint swap. I couldn't get the axle free from the hub, so I just took the CV joint off while it was still connected. Grease EVERYWHERE. However, I notice "one of those little thingies is missing from that thingy."

The pictures speak for themselves.

http://m.imgur.com/rqMeg8P,QSaaoSd,3qTb9Xo,EqlC5t1

(The single bearing in the towel is one of the two that was on the joint. There's only 2 total.)

I believe they're called "inboard bearings". Anyone know where I can find one for purchase? I'm having a hard time.

0bsolete

Good find. Whoever didn't put it back in like that needs to never work on cars again, it's not that hard. Wish I could help you, I couldn't find it in the S2000 parts diagram.

Edit: You might need to buy the whole inboard joint if you want to get it from Honda. It looks like it comes with three bearings from the diagram. Part #5 http://www.hondaautomotiveparts.com/...EAR+DRIVESHAFT

My suggestion is to find a salvaged car somewhere and grab an axle off of it.

steven975

Yea, that part #5 is the only way it's sold as far as I know.

It's possible that it is common with another Honda and sold individually on that car...key example being the lower rear ball joint. Honda only sells the control arm, whereas the 96-00 Civic has the same part and they are sold in pairs for way less money.

Depending on mileage, those 'cups' in #5 can be pitted...and if you're missing one of the roller bearings on yours, there's a pretty good chance yours is pitted on the inside. So, #5 may not be a bad part to get. If it winds up you only need the roller bearing, you can always sell the cup to someone else for $200 as there will be people that need it. Plus you'll have 2 spare bearings.

thomsbrain

Are you sure the missing roller bearing didn't fall out and roll into a corner somewhere when you pulled the joint from the cup? There's nothing in particular holding them in place once you pull the cup off.

I recently pulled my cups off (with the hub still connected) to do a cup swap, and on both sides the lowest roller immediately fell out onto the ground and rolled around. I guess they are designed for rolling, after all.

Of course, it's possible the last owner's mechanic is the one who lost the roller bearing and he just assembled it without one, which should be punishable by death.

Dithrain

I honestly wish I just misplaced it. It seemed ludicrous to me that a bearing is straight up missing. It kind of explains the strange clunk, I suppose. I've looked in literally every nook and cranny 4 separate times, as my friends dismissed it with "You're an idiot, it rolled somewhere." But there's only so far a thick greasy bearing can go, especially when I was almost directly underneath looking for it. Immediately when I pulled the CV joint off, I immediately noticed it wasn't there. Even when I didn't know what it was, I thought "this looks a good bit different from the other side.

Anyway, thank you for the input, gents. I think I'm gonna buy a used axle and snag the bearing(s). Any advice on this? Should I avoid some years?

steven975

You can look on Magestic and see if the part numbers for all years line up. My guess is they're all the same.