I messed up big time... Lowering springs gone wrong.

[wholenizz]

I've done lowering springs before, no problems. Well today I lowered my car, finished it all up, and then got in the car and turned the key. Put it in drive and heard *SQRREEEECH* I was like oh no! So I immediatly turned car off. Jacked it up, and my axle was popped out of the transmission. I broke a bearing and it popped out. It was never in the all way. Do I have to buy a whole new axle? Or can I just get that bearing that was on one of the 3 tips of the drive shaft? I'm refering to the shaft that goes into the transmission... Whats that called anyway? Axle or driveshaft? or what? So yeh big mess. Could be extremely costly for me right now :frown: I am not happy with myself. Lowering springs gone wrong! :cry:


http://www.yarisworld.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=374&pictureid=2292

[DARK AGE 53]

I'm refering to the shaft that goes into the transmission... Whats that called anyway?


Bummer, the shaft is called many things....CV Half-Shaft is one of them. Good luck with the repair.

Later,
Al

[wholenizz]

Am i gonna have to replace the whole shaft? Or can I get the bearing I need?

[DARK AGE 53]

my guess is a dealer will only sell you a complete half-shaft, check the local yellow pages and see if there anyone who re-builds half-shafts in your area.

[wholenizz]

cool I am hoping its just a standard size bearing or whatever thats really my only hope. Otherwise I just made a $300 mistake or more :[ I shud have just taken it to the tire place down the street for them to do the springs... I am so pissed at myself.

[Vb2ner]

I don't understand why that happened? It's not like those springs would drop the car low enough to put your axle at such an angle that it would snap! I am tucking 14"s on my jetta, and my axles hit the body on occasion due to the car being so low, and I have never trashed an axle like that and you have to consider the angle that my axles are at as well.
I just don't see how a simple spring install could have broke your axle by the hub, which is what it seems like you are saying. It must have been on it's way out already or something. Post pics though, I am interested..

Ps: don't pay for a spring install, save your money, it is so easy and I doubt it was something you did

[Kimmy]

yikes im sorry that happened to you! Hope you can get everything situated and fixed

[silver_vios]

I don't understand why that happened?

+1 did you drive off without reattaching the strut??

[wholenizz]

k ill get pics tommorow. I mean I guess it wasnt in there right. It pulled out when the knucle was loose free to move around detached from the strut. And it must have pulled out and got placed in there all funky.

[wholenizz]

+1 did you drive off without reattaching the strut??

no haha... I mean I had done this lowering spring job plenty of times before... :iono:

[Thirty-Nine]

When I put my springs/struts on, the axle got pulled out a bit. I just fussed with it and got it back in.

How do you know you messed up the bearing?

(Where in Oregon are you, by the way?)

[thewifesyaris]

I have seen a axle pop out before but we managed to get it back in. PITA. I would call your dealership and see what they say first than call around to a few shops to see what they say. Calling doesn't mean you have to pay for it.

Always a recommendation that you could have used before this all went down. Keep your axle straight when removing the suspension. Place something/anything under the arm to keep it straight while toying around with the coil overs.

Edit: I don't think you will have to replace the whole shaft. Hell unless you are absolutely certain this cause a bunch of damage, I would probably see if I could get the shaft back in and see if it would drive, so that you can take it to a shop at least to have a professional look at it. That is unless your nearest shop is more than 50 miles away. Otherwise you may want to have it towed.

[wholenizz]

When I put my springs/struts on, the axle got pulled out a bit. I just fussed with it and got it back in.

How do you know you messed up the bearing?

(Where in Oregon are you, by the way?)


corvallis, OSU.

So uh turns out I can't just get the bearing im going to have to find a whole axle...

[cali yaris]

I have a spare stock axle -- left or right side?

[Vb2ner]

You should take pics, We could help you alot more! Regardless, if it's just an axle, that is easy and relatively cheap:)

[wholenizz]

ok i took pictures!

[wholenizz]

I have a spare stock axle -- left or right side?

I just need the needle bearing off of it :[ check the picture I guess it's the half shaft? not the actual axle? :wu:burnrubber:

[H3LlIoN]

If it's any consolation, it looks sweet slammed.

[wholenizz]

If it's any consolation, it looks sweet slammed.

lol thank you! :thumbup: cept i can't drive it right now :tongue:

[Vb2ner]

Yeah, the xxr's look good man! they rub though, don't they? Are they +15's?

So I honestly don't see how the spring install could be linked to that, because as I said, the angle of the axle could not have been bad enough to break it, and it obviously is not due to you not installing the suspension properly.... I would say it was probably on it's way out due to prior stress? How long have you been lowered? Faulty part perhaps? Either way, suck it up, get a new axle, and enjoy the stance:)

[wholenizz]

Yeah, the xxr's look good man! they rub though, don't they? Are they +15's?

So I honestly don't see how the spring install could be linked to that, because as I said, the angle of the axle could not have been bad enough to break it, and it obviously is not due to you not installing the suspension properly.... I would say it was probably on it's way out due to prior stress? How long have you been lowered? Faulty part perhaps? Either way, suck it up, get a new axle, and enjoy the stance:)


they are 16's and thx.

[az_saguaro]

You don't need needle bearings, you need a CV joint, cv boot and bands. But then you would need special tools to remove and replace it from the half shaft (talk about a PITA) and a special tool to clamp the band back onto the boot.

Best bet is to replace the half shaft it's easier and most likely about the same price as a single CV joint with boot, bands and grease.

[YarisSedan]

Exact same thing happend to me when i was helping advocate install his springs and struts. Luckly i caught it in time before it came to this and was able to pop it back in place. You should be able to do the same. And possibly get away with using a very large zip tie or 2 of them to hold the boot back in place if the steel band is damaged and drive it to a shop who can put a new band on because it will require a special tool.

Putting the axle back is tricky you have to get the joint lined up. Once its lined you have to hammer it in place by doing jerking forward motion like you are using a slide hammer. You will hear a pop and in it goes. Then slide the boot over and zip it in place and your good to go good as new. Just be careful to dont get any dirt or debri in the grease when you are handling it to get it in place or it will cause the axle to fail prematurely in the future.

Any time you remove the struts you have to support the axle or it can pop out and it is a real real pain in the ass to put back with the boot intact cause you have to try to feel with your hands through the rubber and line it up. Sometimes you get lucky otherwise you have to remove the boot to do it. But since your boot has already removed itself you should be able to see what your doing.

[YarisSedan]

Oh if that dosnt work what you can do is simple remove the piece hanging out from the car. The remaining piece thats stuck in the transmission you just take a pry bar and pop it out and take both pieces to a auto shop and have them put it back together for you shouldnt cost you much. They might chuckle and ask what happend but i cant forsee it costing more than 50 bucks.

[Vb2ner]

they are 16's and thx.

I meant offset, not rim size, and -15,hehe

[Thirty-Nine]

Good luck with the fix. Your Yaris looks great! Next time you're up in Portland I'd love to see it!

[wholenizz]

Good luck with the fix. Your Yaris looks great! Next time you're up in Portland I'd love to see it!


hell ya bro we should meet up =]