Broken Axle? GI in built axles and how common this issue actually is.

M

mikemc

Member

May 23, 2025

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• May 23, 2025

• #1

Hi guys,

I've become aware of breaking axles as a recurring issue with the Emira through the Lotus discord that Porter and KitKat setup. I wanted to get a pulse check on how many people have actually seen this issue happen, and how many people would be interested in custom built axles that will handle 800ft lbs or torque or so without paying the $7k + tax and shipping JUBU price point.

I have made some for my Evora (with a DCT), but can use this as a basis for the Emira. These use custom stub hubs, custom intermediate shaft, carrier bearing, and axle half shafts. Lightened GNK CV joints with chromoly cages, etc. Price point would potentially be around $4k at cost, I'm not looking to make a profit, be a vendor, etc.

 

PatrickJS

Emira Fan

Apr 17, 2025

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Emira Owner

• May 23, 2025

• #2

how long does it take to make/deliver? (v6 auto)

 

M

mikemc

Member

May 23, 2025

9

16

• May 23, 2025

• Thread starter
• #3

PatrickJS said:

how long does it take to make/deliver? (v6 auto)

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What I have now is for a dq250 DCT. It would/will require dev work for the intermediate shaft, carrier, and drivers side inner axle stub. I couldn’t give a timeline right now and it would only be possible to be around the $4k price point for a group.

Porter has seen my itemized cost for these specifically.

 

K

kdkns

Member

May 8, 2025

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• May 23, 2025

• #4

I may be interested, but I don’t think anyone’s answered if the axles no longer break does that mean the transmission will go instead?

 

Last edited: May 23, 2025

B

Blackthought_

Emira Fiend

Feb 8, 2024

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• May 23, 2025

• #5

kdkns said:

I am may be interested, but I don’t think anyone’s answered if the axles no longer break does that mean the transmission will go instead?

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It’s like the axle acts like a fuse . You upgrade the fuse the trans or the clutch is next

 

jp129

Emira Fan

Aug 13, 2021

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• May 23, 2025

• #6

Depends on how one drives, but yes, it'll identify the next weakest link. Likely clutch...

 

M

mikemc

Member

May 23, 2025

9

16

• May 23, 2025

• Thread starter
• #7

The Emira shares the axle part number with the Evora (atleast drivers side manual is confirmed) and the Evora hasn’t had these reported issues.

I think it’s likely that the axles are bad from the manufacturing process. I.E. not heat treated correctly. If someone can do a hardness test on a broken axle vs say a hard tracked car with no issues that would be interesting to compare atleast.

 

M

mikemc

Member

May 23, 2025

9

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• May 23, 2025

• Thread starter
• #8

jp129 said:

Depends on how one drives, but yes, it'll identify the next weakest link. Likely clutch...

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Has anyone broken an auto (U660E) axle in the Emira?

Again I just learned about this being an issue and so far have only heard of a few manuals having it happen.

 

PatrickJS

Emira Fan

Apr 17, 2025

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• May 23, 2025

• #9

mikemc said:

Has anyone broken an auto (U660E) axle in the Emira?

Again I just learned about this being an issue and so far have only heard of a few manuals having it happen.

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I'll see if mine (v6 auto) breaks in a month if someone else hasn't done it yet

 

N

NorCalEmira

Emira Fan

Jul 15, 2024

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• May 24, 2025

• #10

Watching closely to see how prevalent the broken half shafts become. I'd pay a premium for a heavy duty replacement pair if one of mine let go or we see a trend of broken shafts.

 

Lotus F1

Emira Fanatic

Mar 18, 2025

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• Jun 4, 2025

• #11

Is this for the V6 breaking or are they different for the Turbo

 

M

mikemc

Member

May 23, 2025

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• Jun 4, 2025

• Thread starter
• #12

Lotus F1 said:

Is this for the V6 breaking or are they different for the Turbo

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Only seen on V6 so far as I know. (toyota axle)

 

Emira Fan

Emira Fanatic

Dec 4, 2023

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Emira Owner

• Jun 4, 2025

• #13

Suspect the entire drivetrain is mercedes and the M139 + DTC drivetrain is used in much heavier 4 door cars. Wouldn't expect the AMG axles to have any issue in the Emira's.

 

M

mikemc

Member

May 23, 2025

9

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• Jun 4, 2025

• Thread starter
• #14

Emira Fan said:

Suspect the entire drivetrain is mercedes and the M139 + DTC drivetrain is used in much heavier 4 door cars. Wouldn't expect the AMG axles to have any issue in the Emira's.

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I’m sure CVs are the same, but the half shafts and outer stub hubs will be unique to Emiras.

Torque delivery is also different so many other variables to consider.

The Emira (at least drivers side) is the same part number as the Evoras so is likely Emiras got a bad metallurgy of heat treatment batch. (that’s the leading hypothesis).

 

M

mikemc

Member

May 23, 2025

9

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• Yesterday at 12:13 PM

• Thread starter
• #15

So I've done a little more research here for manual owners who want to push power.

The VW MQ500 has decent gear ratios, handles 650nm+, will mount up to the 2GR with Engineer Freely's existing VW adapter plate and flywheel adapter and intermediate shaft, can use the same axle setup I have on the Evora with adjusted half shaft lengths.

Overall with upgraded clutch and dmf this trans would essentially be bullet proof for the Emira/Evora. + have upgraded axles.