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This scenario will only apply to a very small group of owners. But if it helps even one person I'd consider it worth it.
This would only affect you if you have a 2012 TL (FWD or SH-AWD) and need to replace your CV axle. This applies to both the driver and passenger side.
To come out with the point right away - do not purchase an aftermarket CV axle. If you have to replace either one of your axles, you're going to have to purchase OEM. Either from the dealer or online. The reason is, Acura switched up the number of splines (teeth) on the interior joint from 27 to 29 with the mid-model refresh. The 2009-2011 TL axles have 27 splines on the internal joint but the 2012-2014 have 29. I have no idea why Acura would choose to make that change but they did. The problem is, whatever database the aftermarket manufacturers are using bulked the 2012 into the 2009-2011. So if you go to Autozone or NAPA or even RockAuto, you're going to get an axle with 27 splines which will not fit.
If you're interested in counting splines, take a look below. The photos are large for a reason. It's difficult enough to count each individual spline even at this size:
Aftermarket - Autozone, RockAuto (Cardone Select) and NAPA respectively:
Each one of those has 27 splines. If you try to install it you might as well be trying to fit a square peg in a round hole. The connections are hardened steel and the spline dimensions are different. I initially purchased an axle form RockAuto, which didn't fit. Thinking it was just a manufacturer mixup, I then purchased one from Autozone. Same problem. Thinking maybe both used the same rebuilder, I purchased an additional 4 axles. In total, I purchased 6 axles. One from Autozone, Oreiley's, NAPA, Advanced Auto and two from RockAuto (cardone and APWI), None of them fit. All of them had 27 splines. Luckily I was able to return all of them. I then purchased OEM and boom, fit like a glove. 29 splines. I don't have a photo of the new one, but here's the old one:
Count em up. 29.
A few notes - The aftermarket axles have the correct number of outboard joint splines - 30. But that doesn't do you much good if you can't connect it to the transmission That's kind of bad though because someone might think it's the right part, but is just being stubborn when trying to slide it into the transmission, or in the case of the passenger side, over the intermediate shaft. It also doesn't help that the axle dimensions are the same. So when you line them up, they look identical. Who's going to individually count the number of splines on a CV axle? I sure didn't. Not until 2 hours of banging on a CV axle trying to get it to mate with the intermediate shaft FYI, the 2009 - 2011 OEM axle part (passenger side) is 44305-TK4-A00. The 2012-2014 is 44305-TK4-A12. When I purchased OEM from Acura of Peoria, I insisted that they count the number of inboard splines prior to shipping. They confirmed 29.
Also, currently the aftermarket manufacturers do not offer a 2013-2014 axle. I suppose it's because they're too new or something. What this tells me is that they're aware that the 2013-2014 are different, but somehow goofed up the 2012 and bulked it into the 2009-2011. So that's the reason you don't have to worry (as of Nov 2018) that you'd have the same problem with a 2013 or 2014; you won't be able to get an aftermarket for those years anyway. Look on every auto store website. Even RockAuto. You won't find any. Only the dealer has them. And of course, this doesn't affect 2009-2011 owners since these will be correct for them w/ 27 splines.
So if you're some poor sap who tried to do this and you find this thread, just give it up and order an OEM. Lucky you, you'll have to put the old axle back in or your car will be out of commission while you wait for the OEM to arrive. Oh, and don't try to take apart the CV joint of the new one and re-use the inboard joint of the old axle but with the new bearings. They won't likely fit. The bearing assembly for aftermarket and OEM are different.
Ah, that makes sense. I didn't think of that. Still, it seems they could have used the same mating interface. But I suppose with it being a completely different design from the ground up that they didn't bother trying to make previous parts compatible. Can't really fault them for that. In this case, it really is just the aftermarket suppliers fault.
OEM will definitely be a no hassle fit but I was quoted 791 CAD for it. Pretty crazy, allegedly because I have a standard the shaft is less common, still need to verify myself if the part numbers are any different between 6AT and MT
All aftermarket cv axles for Acura TL 2012 are not usable. I just went through this a couple weeks ago. I started with RockAuto and it didn’t fit. Then went into town and through Out the day stop off at all three major auto sales shops and none of them fit. Talked with dealership about the issue and they didn’t have a clue. I found the answer on here by that time it was to late for me. Unfortunately, you have to buy it from the dealership. Left one runs $200ish. The right runs $500ish. Suxs! Just bad luck for us. Oh, be sure to open the box and check if the big nut is attached. Mine didn’t have it so I had to buy the nut too. 😡😡😡😡
All aftermarket cv axles for Acura TL 2012 are not usable. I just went through this a couple weeks ago. I started with RockAuto and it didn’t fit. Then went into town and through Out the day stop off at all three major auto sales shops and none of them fit. Talked with dealership about the issue and they didn’t have a clue. I found the answer on here by that time it was to late for me. Unfortunately, you have to buy it from the dealership. Left one runs $200ish. The right runs $500ish. Suxs! Just bad luck for us. Oh, be sure to open the box and check if the big nut is attached. Mine didn’t have it so I had to buy the nut too. 😡😡😡😡
Okay gotcha, guess I'm gonna have to open up the wallet, thanks all for your input and speedy replies!
I've been following this thread since I have a 2012 TL FWD with 230K miles. Getting some noises from my suspension (which is all original). I'm sure I will be replacing shocks and other items soon if I keep this car.
So now RockAuto shows the CV joints for the 2012, 2013 and 2014 as all the same part numbers which are different from the 2011 and 2010. So it looks like the aftermarket parts are now available for these cars.
The price for these RockAuto aftermarket CV parts is ~95$ per side. The OEM part through yourwholesaleacuraparts.com is 270$ per side.
Why would I buy the OEM when I can get 3 of the aftermarket for the same price??
I am not asking this question cynically, is there feedback that the aftermarket "Trackmotive" brand that RockAuto is selling is known to be of poor quality compared to the OEM joints?
I've been following this thread since I have a 2012 TL FWD with 230K miles. Getting some noises from my suspension (which is all original). I'm sure I will be replacing shocks and other items soon if I keep this car.
So now RockAuto shows the CV joints for the 2012, 2013 and 2014 as all the same part numbers which are different from the 2011 and 2010. So it looks like the aftermarket parts are now available for these cars.
The price for these RockAuto aftermarket CV parts is ~95$ per side. The OEM part through yourwholesaleacuraparts.com is 270$ per side.
Why would I buy the OEM when I can get 3 of the aftermarket for the same price??
I am not asking this question cynically, is there feedback that the aftermarket "Trackmotive" brand that RockAuto is selling is known to be of poor quality compared to the OEM joints?
Because you get what you pay for, in this case quality..
11-12-2018, 11:15 AM
That's kind of bad though because someone might think it's the right part, but is just being stubborn when trying to slide it into the transmission, or in the case of the passenger side, over the intermediate shaft. It also doesn't help that the axle dimensions are the same. So when you line them up, they look identical. Who's going to individually count the number of splines on a CV axle? I sure didn't. Not until 2 hours of banging on a CV axle trying to get it to mate with the intermediate shaft 
FYI, the 2009 - 2011 OEM axle part (passenger side) is 44305-TK4-A00. The 2012-2014 is 44305-TK4-A12. When I purchased OEM from Acura of Peoria, I insisted that they count the number of inboard splines prior to shipping. They confirmed 29.
