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

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.

Reply 1 : Replaced bad CV axle...bad handling...scary lack of control

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

Reply 2 : Replaced bad CV axle...bad handling...scary lack of control

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.

Reply 3 : Replaced bad CV axle...bad handling...scary lack of control

Quote:

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?

Reply 4 : Replaced bad CV axle...bad handling...scary lack of control

Quote:

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.

Reply 5 : Replaced bad CV axle...bad handling...scary lack of control

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?

Reply 6 : Replaced bad CV axle...bad handling...scary lack of control

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.

Reply 7 : Replaced bad CV axle...bad handling...scary lack of control

Quote:

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.

Reply 8 : Replaced bad CV axle...bad handling...scary lack of control

Quote:

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.

Reply 9 : Replaced bad CV axle...bad handling...scary lack of control

Quote:

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.

Reply 10 : Replaced bad CV axle...bad handling...scary lack of control

good luck and keep us posted