Shaking after right axle & LCA replacement + knocking.

**Stevoh** · 11-2-07, 1:59

Ok I did a search but found next to nothing so thought I would ask.

I recently replaced both axles accompanied by new LCAs on different days. Driver side of the car is dandy. Just did the passenger side today. New axle and new LCA. There is a slight shaking/shuddering/vibration when making turns and giving the car gas. It is still apparent when going straight but not so apparent to cause me to question if it does or not. There is a new wheel bearing, outer tire rod, and polyurethane endlinks as well so that should rule out some of the things.

I re-used the circlip that was on the intermediate shaft as I didn't have a new one(re-used the original one on the driver side axle due to fear of future stuck axle-everything fine so far on that side). I am thinking it is the clip, but I am really not confident on that. Only reason I think it is, is because it HAS to be it. It looked good and the axle clicked in. Anyone run into this problem?? Would a bad clip or un-seated clip cause the axle to vibrate like that??

Also would a bad bearing in the intermediate shaft bracket cause this? Prior to just knocking it out with a 2x4 placed on the inner CV cup and hammer(worked like a charm-feel like an idiot I didn't do it originally), I tried to pry it out rather aggresively with a rod(jack rod to be precise) placed bewteen the bracket and the cup. It is a little suprising to think that the bracket can move so much even though it is bolted to an iron block. Maybe I messed up the bearing/bracket?? I kind of doubt it because it lessens or is not even apparent when going straight.

Also I am missing a bolt on the passenger side subframe due to the welded nut being stripped. One bolt seems to be stripping and another is not original. This [shizzle] is because of the previous owner. All of these bolts are three of the four frontal bolts. Would this missing bolts cause the knocking?? Does it anytime their is a load on that side. It was the reason I replaced all my LCAs thinking it was a bad ball joint but it wasn't.

I've replaced so much(endlinks + bushings bracket, shifter bushings, motor mounts, brakes all around, both master cylinders, tune up [shizzle], etc.) on this car I feel like I am restoring it, but there is always something else that is wrong!!! HALP!

Thanks guys!

**Zach** · 11-2-07, 10:48

I had that problem after I had an axle replaced two years ago. Turns out it was a bent/warped CV. Get a new axle

**Stevoh** · 11-2-07, 11:57

Interesting. I did read here that axles may be un-balanced/bent being refurbed. Also after driving the car to school, the shaking is really strong in 2nd gear. Any other gear and it isn't as strong or not even there. Anyone run into this??

Also, I bought the axle online and threw away my original one. So it means I will be out an axle as I will probably end up just buying a new one. Kinda [shizzle]ty because both axles are from the same company(GSP) and I was impressed by the quality of the driver side axle. Should I replace the circlip?? Can you even buy those?

**magik8** · 11-2-07, 12:00

I would jack the front of the car up and grab the passenger side tire and see if there's any play. If it's shaking that bad, it should be pretty obvious. Also you mentioned you replaced a wheel bearing - from my experience usually the hub needs to be replaced as well if this is done, as a bad bearing will trash the hub. Also check lower ball joint, it could be it is not seated or cinched properly into the steering knuckle.

**Stevoh** · 11-2-07, 14:56

Hello Magik. I just checked to see if there is any play in the wheel bearing and there is none. I got a spare hub off another 1g PGT and replaced the bearing in that hub. It was a good hub to begin with(spinned very very nicely with no play in it). The balljoint is seated all the way, but would that cause shaking??

I put a bolt in the missing hole on the very front passenger subframe so I will see if that helps. I did check the bolt I suspected was stripped and sure enough it is. I will have to re-tap is later. The passenger side subframe will more than likely need to be replaced along with the very front one. Damn!

I also found out that my not even a week old driver side axle is leaking lube on the inner CV boot right on the cup. The gash cannot be more than half a cm. My fault though as I tried to screw driver + Hammer it into the transaxle but it is still dis-heatening none the less. Is there a way to replace the boot with the axle still in?? I don't want to waste any more time/work especially that the gear lube I use is 7.99 a quart.

So I still have to figure out what the shaking is all about. It happens the most in lower 2nd gear like I say. Any other gear in any other rpm range it is not so apparent.

Kirk2000 · 11-2-07, 18:47

Did a wheel weight fall off the rim when you had it off the car, you never know. Try rebalancing the tire.. KIRK

**Stevoh** · 11-3-07, 1:38

Hmm, possibly. I did check the wheel though and the weights were there but maybe there are some missing I don't know about. The shakes lessen as speed rises though. 2nd and 3rd gear are essentially the only 2 gears I feel the shaking in.

Damn, I am thinking I will try out a new axle next week and re-tap that stripped subframe nut. Hopefully this fixes my woes so I can enjoy my work on this old bitch.

**nmn** · 11-3-07, 21:25

Have you checked the torque on the axle nut? If its not tight enough it will cause your rotor to wobble.

**Stevoh** · 11-7-07, 0:59

Ok so I replaced the GSP unit with a A1 Cardone one. The car is a lot smoother and doesn't shake as bad. If it weren't for the faint very minute and not last longing shuddering felt in low 2nd gear the car would be smooth as hell. On a related note, I am pleased that new axles have really smoothed my car out. I didn't think new axles would make the car smoother but I guess now that there is actually grease between CV joints there is less drap and friction thus freeing power as well.

Now I think my intermediate shaft bearing is [fizzle]ed, or all that vibration has made something out of whack. I think I will just replace the inner intermediate shaft and accompany it with a new bearing to make the car perfect.

And I still haven't retaped the stripped hole. It is such a hassle to get the right sized tape!!!