bennuss

I recently got stuck and had to change my axle impromptu. I got a usa technologies -only one available- and norw the car has no smoothness when coasting. I can feel roughness. I called usatech and the engineer claims that if anything wasnt tightened correctly it would do that. He said it cant be the axle because the axle would not be felt on coasting. He also said that the reason they remove the damper is because it has no affect at speeds less than 100 mph and they see alot of decay starts with the damper. Anyways
Besides changing the axle anything else that could be the source? Both front bearings and hubs and lca's are new

george__

iTrader: (1)

Driving on gravel -> the car wouldn't be smooth riding
Did you actually double check that all the nuts were tighten properly?
Does your car vibrate when you at idling (like at stop light)?

I very recently did both drive axles as well and I haven't noticed anything different...

bennuss

Whose axles did you use?

I had the nuts checked by a front end specialist and he said the driving is course- his words- but he cant place it. It is driving me crazy.
Any ideas how I should check to see if he brakes are rubbing?

george__

iTrader: (1)

^
I'm from CANADA and I just got my axles locally from part shop so I won't be much help for brands.

If you go web searching you will see people complain about issues with aftermarket axles all the time.

Is your suspension stock?

bennuss

Yes but the issue started right after the axle change (and hubs and bearing changes) so I doubt the suspension is the cause. Axle was changed because one axle nut was badly damaged and could not be removed to change the bearing even by an experienced machine shop without damaging the axle.

george__

iTrader: (1)

^
time for different brand of axles?

bennuss

yeah I guess. Wish there was a way to pinpoint the source of the coarseness before ripping out parts. I can feel it in the gas pedal even when coasting and the brake. I tried running the car with the front wheels off the ground but I only feel it when the wheels are on the ground. Is there a lift that lets you run the car with just one wheel against a roller to pinpoint noise? If there is I will look for a shop that has one.

Found this thread which seems to mention that if the circlip wasnt properly installed there would be noise. I am not sure if I would also feel the rough ride.
http://forums.maxima.org/5th-generat...e-all-way.html

george__

iTrader: (1)

I spoke too soon

The car has a vibrating steering wheel issue under acceleration now

Sounds like we are in the same boat ><

bennuss

After deciding that the coarseness was coming from the right side, I changed that axle to a different one - same brand. Did not want to pay again and the store only had that brand usa technologies. Have only done a little bit of driving but the coarseness seems to be gone.

In your case it sounds like you might need an alignment.

george__

iTrader: (1)

^
I definitely think it is the axles.

I double checked all the bolts and tried my best to torque every single nut to FSM spec (I don't have a hoist so this was difficult)

NOW, the entire car shakes if I put the gas on the floor :|. It's like the car wants to explode. Even worse if I keep the car in 3 and just drive around but I can't always reproduce this

My plan is to fix up the old axles and use them

bennuss

whose axles did you use?

george__

iTrader: (1)

Brand called CARDONE and then another brand called SURTRACK. Both were BRAND NEW (says the receipt).

I'm lowered on coilovers....

bennuss

cardone are considered the top from the after market brands. Are you sure it is not something else. I have still not gone out on a real drive to see if mine is fine.

george__

iTrader: (1)

^
Maybe misfire? I had a misfire issue so I had to change ignition coil. And I know for certain the other coils are a-okay (checked all 6)... Did this same day as the axles.

bennuss

When out for a drive it seems to be much less and at times the coarseness disappears. I am wondering if the ring where the axle meets the transmission is what I am feeling. It seems to rotate with the axle but it isnt greased or even a bearing .
I doubt that is what is causing your vibration.

bennuss

Still drives like crap. Feels through the pedal like I am turning a pencil in a sharpener. Had the car examined by 4 mechanics already with no resolution. I guess it is the cheap after market axles that I recently put on. USAtech .
Interestingly the grinding starts after driving somewhat if the car sat recently. I have pretty much resigned to accepting it- well unless I get so frustrated and drive into a wall.

george__

iTrader: (1)

^
Go OEM or find Raxles......

I had a shop fix my old OEM ones and no stupid vibrations anymore

Child_uv_KoRn

iTrader: (7)

Oreilly axles work perfect on 6 speeds

bennuss

Would have done that but the boot wasnt bad. It was the part that goes into the bearing where the axle nut goes on. The treads were destroyed and the nut would not come off. Since my bearing was completely destroyed and had to be changed they ended cutting off the axle and then putting in a new one right there. Oh well. Where can I get an oem axle here in Brooklyn. Dealer does not have it he says he uses after market.

bennuss

Anybody want to weigh in:
I found a place that has rebuilt oem axles. Should I go with those or new ones from advance/oreilly?
The ones I have are usatech rebuilt.

george__

iTrader: (1)

I say go for the oem... Make them install it and see if they will accept return or exchange if it vibrates?