I just finished replacing the passenger side axle shaft/drive shaft thingie, and now it pulls to the right. I just had an alignment 2 months ago. During the installation I had to take off damer fork, seperate ball joint, the usual. Would this in anyway throw my toe off when it goes back together?

Or is there maybe something wrong with my refurbed axle shaft? Note: it does say to check alignment after the installation in the Haynes... but how common is a screwed alignment after this project?


Thanks!

btw, go LSU (currently half time in the 05 sec champ...)

 

yes. Whenever you remove or install anything to the suspension, it make the car improper aligned.

 

so when a car shop charges 200 dollars to replace the axle shaft, this includes the alignment?

 

no

 

anyone else have any comments?

 

The CV jount in the new axle is much stiffer than the left axle. Either wait for it to break in or replace the left axle too.

 

If you just pulled the ball joint and strut bolt out of the control arm, changed the axle, and put it back together, you should not need an alignment. However, if you messed with any tie rod adjustments, or if you have any aftermarket suspension bits that are adjustable and were loosened during the axle install, you will need an alignment.

Does the car pull when you're coasting or just when you're on the gas?

 

i used to work at honda and i asked a technician bout that too..he said the only time you need an alignment (besides wear and tear) is when you raise or lower ur car

 

i didn't touch the tie rod... I like the stiff CV joint theorey... I'll wait after about a week of driving and see if it still pulls. It pulls all the time (on gas and coast)

Thanks for the help guys.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Philip &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I like the stiff CV joint theorey....</TD></TR></TABLE>

It's not theory, its simple physics. I bet it takes alot longer than a week to break in. Personally I would throw a new unit in the driver's side. I would rather just spend the $60 to eliminate the hassle.

 

You should never need an alignment after an axle change, unless you broke something. The stiff joint is a possability, but not likely. We replace alot of axles at Sears, and never required an alignment and never heard of the stiff joint break in. You could take it there and have them take a look at at it, its free. If they do reccomend an alignment then do it. I guess I would compare left and ride side and make sure none of the parts are broken. Is your steering wheel straight or is it crooked when driving straight?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by turner7205 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">You should never need an alignment after an axle change, unless you broke something.</TD></TR></TABLE>

the "specialist" at pep boys said that everybody should get a alighment everytime you have a axle replaced after he replaced mymoms axle.... he prob cheated my mom for 60 bucks

 

i replaced only one axle and there's no pulling at all... when i was doing my clutch install i noticed that the new axle was much stiffer than the old one so i know a stiff axle won't cause you to pull.

i would check to make sure you put the axle all the way in that it would go and that the axle was good.... if not that, i would check over the stuff you had to remove in order to get to it.... if you messed with your tierods that will mess up your alignment if you don't leave it the same way it was.... another thing it could be is that you had an old lca bushing and when you put the new axle the bushing called it quits and now your car goes to one side...

did you put the bolts the proper way? for example on the front shock bolt's head has to face the front (or was it the other way around? just check your other side how it's setup)... if it's not, it will raise the shock slightly which might cause misalignment or the car hanging to the one side etc...

 

I put the two damper fork bolts in the same way. I don't know what the friggin deal is. I didn't screw with the tie rod either. When I took the ball joint and LCA apart I just let it hang, do you think I messed up the upper ball joint? The boot is fine.

Gota go to church...

 

The only thing you can do is try to isolate the problem if you cannot pinpoint it. An alignement is cheap and good for your car. If that doesnt fix the problem, then maybe something else is wrong. Why did you replace the axle? How long did you drive with the bad axle? Did you hit something? You could have bent the tierod during installation.