Strange behavior after CV replacement (6 Viewers)

[dubdromic]

Hey there. I managed to tear a CV boot on the passenger side of my '06 LX470 and not notice until it started clicking (and I got a fun vibration at highway speed). Whoops. I decided to use the opportunity to replace the axles on both sides. It was probably time anyway, they're original at 285k miles. I did the passenger side first and repacked the wheel bearings while I was at it.

After replacing the passenger side the nose of the car now "tips" in the direction of steering at full lock. It's maybe 2-3 inches. It also does it on the side I haven't replaced, it's just barely visible (probably half an inch of movement). I have re-checked the upper and lower ball joint nut, steering knuckle bolt, and caliper torques. All correct. I tried wiggling the tire at 12 and 6 as well as 9 and 3 and it doesn't move any more than the other one. I also took it around the block and as best I can tell it drives and steers fine.

Here's a video; I start by doing full lock on the drivers side (the old one), the tipping is basically not visible on the video. Then to the passenger side (new one), where it's fairly obvious.



Is this normal? Or...did I miss something? Not even sure what to check.

 

[OEMGUY0720]

How are your tie rod ends (?) - if they are properly torqued. And when you worked on replacing the CV axles, what components did you remove? It’s best to back track on those bolts/nuts you removed if they are properly tightened/torqued.

 

[Bisho]

Your tire really shouldn’t move at all when you wiggle it, so not knowing how much it’s moving like the other one could be really bad or good. Either way, though, that shouldn’t contribute to dipping. Nothing you did could I imagine leading to that. Are you sure this is new?

 

[dubdromic]

I went back through and checked all bolts that I touched, everything is torqued right as best I can tell.

I am not sure it's a new issue. The UCA/LCA on both sides were replaced last year along with sway bushings and links, so I doubt the ball joints are bad. The 12/6 wiggle is totally solid, the 9/3 wiggle is noticeable on both sides. I didn't think much of it because when I do a 9/3 check it also moves the tire on the other side...I thought perhaps it was play in the rack. It definitely could be the tie rod ends though, just not sure how to tell if the 9/3 check is also moving the opposite tire. I suppose I could go ahead and do the driver side CV and undo/check the tie rod on that end while I'm at it.

 

[dubdromic]

Also forgot to mention: it tracks straight at low and high speed. No pulling to one side or the other.

 

[Bisho]

I went back through and checked all bolts that I touched, everything is torqued right as best I can tell.

I am not sure it's a new issue. The UCA/LCA on both sides were replaced last year along with sway bushings and links, so I doubt the ball joints are bad. The 12/6 wiggle is totally solid, the 9/3 wiggle is noticeable on both sides. I didn't think much of it because when I do a 9/3 check it also moves the tire on the other side...I thought perhaps it was play in the rack. It definitely could be the tie rod ends though, just not sure how to tell if the 9/3 check is also moving the opposite tire. I suppose I could go ahead and do the driver side CV and undo/check the tie rod on that end while I'm at it.

If they are indeed moving together it’s your rack. Otherwise likely the inner tie rods are worn.