M540 pedal axle compatibility

I’ve had my 540s for years and there’s a little play in the axles. Since we’re locked down I’ll have a go at servicing them.
Anybody know if the axles are interchangeable with the ones from shimano XT/XTR (8100/9100) pedals? Those seem to be easier to find, and I’d rather go with silver axles than black if I have the choice.
Cheers

Edit: Also interested in other compatible axle suggestions.

Have you checked out SJS’s website for parts? Usually tells you what any compatible parts are...

[just checked and SJS claim there is no compatible part for the 540’s axle assembly]

https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/pedals-cleats/shimano-pdm540-pedal-axle-assembly-left-y45e98020/

I did see that page before posting last night, but I'm not entirely convinced their answer is definitive. The part numbers are very close to those from M8100 and M770's.

I also found these Rock Bros axles that advertise as compatible with both the m540 and m770:
https://www.justdial.com/ROCKBROS-Titanium-Ti-Pedal-Spindle-Axle-for-Shimano-XT-PD-M770-Shimamo-PD-M540-MTB-Road-Bike-Pedals-Bearing-Bicycle-Parts/pid-146804895

And this Ebay listing for M770 Axles, advertising them as also being compatible with M970, M959 and M540's:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Shimano-XT-PD-M770-Pedal-AXLE-ASSEMBLY-LEFT-XTR-Deore-PD-M970-M-959-M540-Usable/322332487531?hash=item4b0c836f6b:g:FukAAOSwwE5WWsRA

However, for those prices I'm not sure I want to be the guinea pig.

Actually SJS Also lists the M770 as compatible, with cosmetic differences:

https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/pedals-cleats/shimano-deore-xt-pdm770-pedal-axle-assembly-right-y45u98030/

But for a few extra ££ I could find a whole new set of M540s.

Never had pedals develop play that couldn't be fixed by just tightening the nut at the end. What causes play in the pedal/axle?
Cheers

What causes play in the pedal/axle?

Destruction of load bearing material over time/use. Adding preload to the axle assembly doesn’t add the material back.

Shimano pedals are pretty much consumable - you can buy the axle assemblies but they are so spendy you might as well get new pedals.

tl;dr Get new pedals

@Howard cheers, I've obviously never got to that stage of wear.

Yeah, I’ve had a 540 pedal go bad - I disassembled the axle and it was a grey slurry of grease and disintegrated metal : /

I’ve had the axle snap at the locknut and wow that’s fun

Y I K E S

It keeps working as a pedal until you go to unclip and your foot comes away with the pedal body attached to it and all the guts of the bearing assembly pour out on to the street.

My pedals are probably a decade old. Suspect it’s just the bearings that are fried...

However since a pair of axles is £42 and a compete pair of pedals is £50, they’re basically consumable as @Howard mentioned. And wow I’m glad mine haven’t collapsed as above!

It’s as black and white as it comes with Shimano, if it says it fits, it fits, if the codes are similar but not matching then no go.

Functional figment but cosmetic differences will be listed as an A match.

Try to list this clearly on sjs but it’s difficult!