Front Axle Issues, need your advise (1 Viewer)

[Desertmaster]

Rick & Dan,

Thanks for your replies, I will try to describe what I saw to the best of my abilities:

When I viewed the axles they were removed from the vehicle and they were taken apart, the only description I can provide is that the grooving was a bit deep, in millimiters I would say 2 millimiters deep, I could not verify if it was machined or it was done by the c-clips as they claim, the location of the grooving was 2 inches dehind the outer axles (as they were still attached to the inner shafts), there is a smooth like surface as you get closer to the outer axles on the inner shafts I would say if my memory serves me well 4-6 inches long of smooth metal surface on each side, I do not know if this side will go to the inside of the birfield or not.

I hope this helps you guys in pointing me in the right direction.

Note: I have asked if I can retain the innner axles and the answer was yes we will do so. also the mechanic said he will try to change the bearing as well as he feels they migt have been damaged (he showed me that item, it lookes like where the outer axles extension goes into ( plate like shape), sorry Dan & Rick, I am doing my best to provide you with a description of what I saw and forgive me for my poor job on the matter.


Thanks again

Al.

 

[Desertmaster]

Dan & Rick,

I just found this picture of the inner shaft from a friend that just emailed it to me, if you can see the shinny metal part (2-3 inches long bedind the front axles), the grooving was right in it. Hope this helps what I have tried to describe in my previous reply.

Thanks

Let me know.


Al

 

[cruiserdan]

Al, sorry,

Are you refering to where the finger is pointing?

If so, that is not a problem.

 

[Desertmaster]

C-Dan,

Actually no, to the right if you are looking at the picture (the small shinny metal surface of the shaft, infront of the coned tipped part). hope this helps, let me know.

Al

 

[cruiserdan]

Al,

That is what sticks thru the spindle and mates up with the drive flange. It doesn't prevent gear oil from entering the knuckle. By the way, what the guy is pointing at is the birfield. Yours are supposed to be NEW. The shaft that attaches to it from the left side of the picture is the one that rides on the axle tube seal.

Um, a rat lurks, maybe?

 

[cruiserman]

Al, If I'm reading you correctly, there are grooves on the birfield shaft outboard of the joint itself. If that's the case, it doesn't matter.

That portion of the birfield is located in the spindle, and the only thing it may contact is a brass bushing in the spindle.

I think your dealer is telling you a story. IMO you should get the used birfields back if possible, and take your rig home.

 

[Desertmaster]

C-Dan,

They claim that there is a c-clip is located in that area to prevent the oil from flowing to the birfield / knuckle, so if what you are saying is correct then I would see to it if they will definatley change them as I will have the old parts for my keeping.

Let me know

Al

 

[cruiserdan]

Al,
There is a c clip inside there. It is on the inner axle shaft, not the birfield. It's job is to keep the birfield from coming off of the inner shaft( the part unseen in the pic). The clip DOES NOT have anything to do with sealing oil anyplace. However, if it was put togther WITHOUT the clip in place that would be another matter. The inner shaft could then "float" in and out and perhaps let gear oil past. If that is the case then pilot error is a big factor here.

Dan

 

[Desertmaster]

C-Dan & Cruiserman,

Just got off the phone with the dealer, the extended warrenty adjuster had showed up earlier and had taken a digital pictures of the damaged parts and emailed them to their HQ in Arizona as they were studied by a specialist, and they determined that the damage is there and the work is a re-do against the old job and they will cover it, and I was confirmed again that the original damaged / parts will be handed to me on pick-up time.

As far as my old birfileds they have got disposed of after the first job, I did look at the one that are on there now and they look clean, but again I do not have the trained eye to determine a new one from an old one since everything is covered with grease, but they did tell me that the parts were new.

Hope this helps.

Thanks

 

[landtank]

Hi Al, First...We need to know who these guys are. Nobody should have to be subjected to this again. Others have said it all, Best of luck, keep us posted.

 

[Desertmaster]

To All,

Thank you guys for your sincere interest in the problem, the dealer's name is: The Lexus of Watertown in Boston, MA. Also they are associated with Toyota of Watertown, two shops cross from each other, the 2 dealers share a one block, and I was told that an experienced toyota mechanic also looked at the rig along with an experienced lexus mechanic.

All I can do at this point is wait to get my rig back, if I try to take it prior to the job they are claiming that needs to be done, their liability ends at that point and any craftsman's ship that might go wrong after that is my liability, as I have taken it away from their hands without having the job completed, the only way I see it is to let them replace what ever they think is wrong and make sure that I have all the old parts with me for future reference as I belive if they do not get it done right this time they will have to answer to Lexus HQ as I have evedience of their work along with what they have changed from parts.

What puzzles me is the extended warrtenty people were able to verify that there is a problem and it needs to be corrected, based on what I have gathered from your feed back, it leads me to belive it is a pilot's / mechanic's error not a failed part, I just do not know how they were able to be sold on that even after viewing the digital pictures with a specialist that is familiar with LC mechanical set-up ???


I am going to have to wait and see, wish I had asked for the old birfields after they claim that they have replaced them. :-[

Again guys thanks and I will let you know the outcome.

Note: Lexus HQ did call me last night as they wanted to verify if the dealer is doing their job accordingly, I have not spoken with them yet but I will proceed to return their call today and express my frustration to a degree.


Al.