Replaced bad CV axle...bad handling...scary lack of control

[Owner_of_2_Camrys]

Hi. I have a 1993 Camry V6 LE that has about 173,000 miles on it.

Recently, I had a scary moment while doing a 60mph right turn on a freeway on-ramp/connector. It felt like the front of the car had fishtailed. So I checked it out and noticed a big gash in the LF CV axle....the 1/2 that connects to the wheel. Had that replaced this weekend. And I also rotated my tires since the outer 1/2 of my RF tire was completely worn down. I replaced the RF CV axle last year. All the work was done by a mechanic friend with 20+ years experience.

So today, while driving to work, it really felt like I was driving on ice. Incredibly bad handling. It was as if I had maybe 85% wheel control over the front two wheels. Hell, at some points, it even felt like the front two wheels had a mind of its own! It drives worse than it did before I replaced the LF CV axle.

I'm thinking it might be the struts?? (Never ever replaced a strut in my life, but from searching TN, it might just be the problem.) Any ideas what the problem could be, TN? Thanks.

[thaharlequin]

Check everything related to your steering. Rack and pinion, tie-rods, PS pump, the whole nine yards. How bald are your tires?

[73sport]

Two Words: PARK IT!!!!

Something broke or came loose. How the mechanic dude missed something like this while doing the axle is alarming.

Have a helper turn the steering wheel back and forth in a slow rocking motion. With a very good lamp, inspect the lower ball joint, steering knuckle to strut mount), lower A-arm pivots, tie rod ends inner and outer (you have to feel the inner through the boot).

Something is very WRONG and it needs isolated and corrected before the car is driven.

Has it ever been wrecked or curbed real hard? Maybe had front end damage repaired at a shop?

Tell us everything you know about the front! Did the boot get cut, or was it simply cracked from age?

Also, check all bolts, nuts, Axle nut, everything for proper torque. Download the service manual if you haven't! Do you have another friend that knows cars? You need to isolate this! There are some methods to inspect each part, but I'm out of time at this moment.

[73sport]

Originally Posted by thaharlequin

Check everything related to your steering. Rack and pinion, tie-rods, PS pump, the whole nine yards. How bald are your tires?

Sounds like a loose part allowed the tire to wear fast. . . Maybe a bad ball joint?

[Owner_of_2_Camrys]

Originally Posted by thaharlequin

Check everything related to your steering. Rack and pinion, tie-rods, PS pump, the whole nine yards. How bald are your tires?

Yeah, will be giving it a thorough check-up this weekend. I hope it's a noticeable, visible problem....something like an obviously torn CV axle.

After rotating, front tires are like 80% tread. No worries.

[fenixus]

outer tie rod end improperly bolted back to knuckle? out of alignment? I assume he unbolted it to remove steering knuckle when replacing the axle or no?

[Robert1820]

Jack that car up and shake down that front suspension looking for any loose parts. Then check EVERY nut and bolt loosened to change the axles, especially the ball joint bolts, tie rod ends and possibly the bolts holding the struts to the knuckles. look at and pry on the control arm bushings. If all that is ok, you most likely have a nasty alignment problem, probably way excessive toe-in. Good idea to check the rear too. look for bent or broken lateral links and ruined bushings. now have the 4-wheel alignment measured Bet you dollars to donuts there is a nasty toe problem there.

[Owner_of_2_Camrys]

Originally Posted by 73sport

Something is very WRONG and it needs isolated and corrected before the car is driven.

Has it ever been wrecked or curbed real hard? Maybe had front end damage repaired at a shop?

Tell us everything you know about the front! Did the boot get cut, or was it simply cracked from age?

The car has never been in an accident. Have had it for 10+ years. Yes, it has been curbed real hard a few times through the years. But the handling was excellent until very recently.

The boot looked like someone took an AXE to it. It had a big gash.

Thanks for the input, man.

[Owner_of_2_Camrys]

Originally Posted by Robert1820

Jack that car up and shake down that front suspension looking for any loose parts. Then check EVERY nut and bolt loosened to change the axles, especially the ball joint bolts, tie rod ends and possibly the bolts holding the struts to the knuckles. look at and pry on the control arm bushings. If all that is ok, you most likely have a nasty alignment problem, probably way excessive toe-in. Good idea to check the rear too. look for bent or broken lateral links and ruined bushings. now have the 4-wheel alignment measured Bet you dollars to donuts there is a nasty toe problem there.

I will be sure to check all of that. Since I've never had to fix this part of the car before, it will be a steep learning curve. I'm using the diagram on the Autozone website to understand where the parts you mentioned are located!

My mechanic friend did say something about bad alignment.

It's just weird how it drives frighteningly worse after changing out the bad LF CV axle. I consider myself an excellent driver with experience in many makes/models....just never felt such bad handling until today.

But yeah, thanks for the insights, man. It's much appreciated.

[Owner_of_2_Camrys]

Originally Posted by fenixus

outer tie rod end improperly bolted back to knuckle? out of alignment? I assume he unbolted it to remove steering knuckle when replacing the axle or no?

Man, you just might be on to something. I will be sure to ask him about all of that.

Whatever the results, I promise to come back and share the results.

Thanks for the input.

[fenixus]

good luck and keep us posted

[CBZED101]

My camry's got the same handling issues as well, and I just replaced my front struts and it helped a little when it came to the handling over bumps, but its still really bad. On mine though, i believe its the lower a-arm bushing on my passenger side since, well...it was gone, which is kinda scary because I drive almost 100 miles a day at work. Keep us posted! I'd like to see what you find is causing the problem.

[73sport]

Originally Posted by CBZED101

My camry's got the same handling issues as well, and I just replaced my front struts and it helped a little when it came to the handling over bumps, but its still really bad. On mine though, i believe its the lower a-arm bushing on my passenger side since, well...it was gone, which is kinda scary because I drive almost 100 miles a day at work. Keep us posted! I'd like to see what you find is causing the problem.

What most folks don't realize is how to unload the ball joint to get free play out of it so they can see it move. For the most part its near impossible to move an A-arm by hand or with pry bars so people don't notice how bad they are.

*** I do not advise this for anyone but the MOST experienced drivers and someone you Trust with your life. The point being your life will be at stake! *** I am not responsible for anyone being ran over if they do this. . . Period! Do this at you're own risk!

Chock Block both sides of both rear tires.
Set the E-brake! If your E-brake doesn't hold the car under throttle (in gear) DON'T DO THIS TEST!!!!!!

With a skilled competent driver behind the wheel, (windows down, radio and accessories off) lay on the ground a good view of the A-arm. Use a flashlight and have the driver put the car in gear and have them apply a little throttle with the car in gear, (tap throttle, let off, tap throttle, let off - continue). If you see the A-arm move more than a 3/8" out near the ball joint, its very likely the A-Arm bushings are shot and need replaced. Try it in both forward and reverse. Good bushings should control the movement of the A-arm. Worn bushings will allow it to move.

Cars that dart in the ruts are suspect of having worn A-arm bushings, ball joints, tie rods, and even rack mount bushings. Any rubber part soaked in oil for sustained periods of time will compromise the rubber and allow it to fail sooner than one which is dry.

Also, if your style of parking is such that you bounce the right or left front tire off the curb to stop the car; 5 or 10 years of that crap will spit out a bushing! lol

Please be CAREFUL While inspecting your cars suspension!
73

[pmx007PL]

Originally Posted by Owner_of_2_Camrys

All the work was done by a mechanic friend with 20+ years experience.

So what? That's why you can't give 100% trust to anyone (you must check everything yourself). Most people living like zombies, whole life obey the same habits, without learning new things/ideas. Car mechanics especially. So this guy can have "20+ experience", but 20 years making the same mistakes, 20 years fixing cars at "a hair's breadth" from disaster. There is difference between working as a mechanic, and beeing mechanic.
Of course I don't want to disrespect your friend, maybe it's not his fault, it's just some worn suspension parts that were finally shot (overloaded and broke somehow, someway) during this repair.

[Owner_of_2_Camrys]

Originally Posted by pmx007PL

So what? That's why you can't give 100% trust to anyone (you must check everything yourself). Most people living like zombies, whole life obey the same habits, without learning new things/ideas. Car mechanics especially. So this guy can have "20+ experience", but 20 years making the same mistakes, 20 years fixing cars at "a hair's breadth" from disaster. There is difference between working as a mechanic, and beeing mechanic.
Of course I don't want to disrespect your friend, maybe it's not his fault, it's just some worn suspension parts that were finally shot (overloaded and broke somehow, someway) during this repair.

I understand what you are getting at, man. The guy that I have working on my cars is rock solid when it comes to installing and pretty much anything related to the mechanical parts of the cars. He has an incredible photographic memory. If you need someone to install a transmission, replace a valve cover gasket, replace your brakes, he's your guy. But when it comes to diagnosing problems or working on electrical components, it's hit-or-miss with him. So when it comes to installing CV axles, I trust him......just as long as I'm there watching him uninstall and install it!!

But you're right, take care of your Toyotas, people!!