As anyone with a 1995 Oldsmobile Achieva knows, it's impossible to find parts for this car. I hate to get rid of this car, but I have a rusted coil spring seat that's about to drop the axle out of it. The seat, or perch, is part of the I-beam, so it can't be replaced separately. I also went to an auto body shop and a welder to inquire about the possibility of making something custom, but, was unsuccessful. Any help would be appreciated.

 

I assume what you need is item 3 in this diagram?

 

car-part.com is a search engine for wrecking yards across the country. Input the information on the part you need and you get back a listing of wrecking yards that have it in stock. A quick search for your axle shows a couple of dozen of them at various yards around the US.

 

Yep, that's the part

 

I double checked the site, just to make sure I hadn't been there before. I found a loaded axle beam assembly, rear. My mechanic said the part I need is a rear suspension I-beam. I'm wondering if there's more than one name for this part.

 

Search for AXLE BEAM REAR (FWD)

 

 

The Achieva is a N body, along with 86-98 Buick skylark and the Pontiac Grand Am. I have a 93 skylark it probably has that same rear axle beam. There's still a fair amount of those cars in the pick a part yards down here. Excellent metal. I'd rather have a nineties car, as a daily, than a newer model with more plastic, and more things to break.

 

Thanks, Joe. It sounds like it's the same part. I was able to pull up that same list as you posted when I searched for rear axle beam. Sounds like I can keep the Achieva going now. Thanks again.

 

I'm finding out that the assembly consists of more than the axle beam. Is that because it's easier to sell it that way, instead of taking that assembly apart? If I buy the assenbly, I'm also buying the brakes, axle, rear, everything. Does the mechanic have to take all that apart to get the part he really needs, which is the axle beam?

 

NewMexguy, thanks for your reply. I can ask gm if that part is interchangeable with other vehicles.

 

That's exactly the issue. Usually a replacement is needed because it was damaged in an accident and those parts can be damaged as well. And yes, you can remove those parts and swap your old ones or keep the ones on the replacement axle,

 

I found the axle beam. I called a local salvage yard and they're connected with a countrywide database. They told me who has it in another state. UPS quoted me $58 to ship a 60 x 48 x 12 inch pallet weighing 75 pounds. A few people think that's a bad quote and that it should cost a lot more. One person who does a lot of shipping said $58 sounds right. I'm not sure about the 75 pound weight though. The salvage yard person was guessing the axle beam weight. How much do you think it weighs? Do you think UPS would ship a large item like this? I got a quote from a freight company for $184, yet another freight company quoted me $464. It's all about shipping now. And of course I have to buy the part, which I'm hesitant to do until I find out the right ship cost.

 

While not apples-to-apples, I just shipped a 225 lb transmission. Crate is 30x25x28. Shipping cost from MS to northern VA is $177 on Fastenal, and that's store-to-store, so it has to be dropped off and picked up.

 

just did an online quote with yrc. got a rate of $111 for 125 pounds, which includes the pallet and axle beam. not bad if that's correct. so the example you gave me on your shipment sounds like I'm not too far off with the shipping price. My mechanic will call the salvage yard to confirm the part correctness, then I will buy it, then I will arrange shipping.

 

I bought the part, and I bought the shipping. Should have it Wednesday or Thursday. Thank you for helping me with this.

 

If the rear backing plates / hubs / drums turn out to be less than desired, these are the loose parts I bought five years ago from one of the El Paso pick a parts. Good luck with the project. Dave S.

 

Thanks, Dave. I did have to get new brakes and drums.