Frustrated with my car, :( Options

[Cutrara]

So last weekend I was at home and I noticed that my Drivers side outer CV boot was leaking grease all over my rim, so on Monday when I got back to school I ordered a new axle, it came in Tuesday and I started to replace it and then it got dark out. By then I was already frustrated because I couldnt get the balljoint to bolt up correctly. The next day I got everything in, and took it for a test drive. I was three blocks away from my house and the axle popped out; it costs $45 to tow my car back (not to mention losing $20 worth of 10-minute old syncromesh to the pavement). This morning I took everything apart and this time I was SURE (at least I thought) I had the axle seated and locked properly this time, and it popped out about 5 blocks from my house. I left it in a gas station parking lot.

It's my girlfriend's birthday tomorrow, and since we've been together (2+ yrs) I've had to miss her birthday. We have plans for the weekend that involve me driving to her school, so the news that car would not move from that sheetz parking lot caused alot of problems. My roommate is letting me borrow his car, so I'll still be there, and be back on Monday to deal with the Celica.

I'm sick of dealing with this axle and I'm just going to do what I should have done at first, and get it towed to a garage. I'm a college student and money is tight, so I wanted to save some money by doing it myself, and it ended up costing me alot more. I'm fairly mechanically inclined and I'm not normally afraid to try things myself with my car, but now, I can't help but be discouraged from doing my own work on my car.

[Cevax]

I wish I could do mechanical work in my own car but its not that I don't have the time its just I have no idea what I am doing. If its a wiring issue or electronics yea that no problem but anything else it goes straight to a shop. You shouldn't be down so much crap happens anyway you have to learn somewhere

[njccmd2002]

where did you get the axle from? start by that. If not OEM then that may be the reason. Usually that little clip, inside the axle is the one you need to check.

[Cutrara]

The axle is not OEM... I bought a brand new one from autozone. I've heard bad things about their rebuilt ones though. I laid the old axle and new axle out together and had a thorough look to compare both, I can confirm the snap ring you are talking about is there and its the right size.

[99GT]

Might of not been fitted in correctly hence the ball joint fitment issue.

[xs94st]

autozone axles suck. don't go there. oem man!

[Rayme]

If your axel wasnt making any noise you would have been better of just changing the boot if you didn't have any grit in the axle.
I had the same exact same thing happen to me, I bought those boots that split in 2 and replaced it and only had to remove the wheel.

Took 1 hour and 20$. People say those split booths isn't worth anything...lasted for over 18 months until I sold the car, it wasn't even leaking.

You still ahve the original booth?

This post has been edited by Rayme: Nov 13, 2008 - 10:02 PM

[Batman722]

take your time with it.
The driver's side is the easier of the 2 and if the axle isn't "popped" into the tranny it can slide right back out. The ball joint is 2 nuts and one bolt, sometimes it just takes some help to get it into the hub properly. Try pushing down on the A arm while someone else puts the hub/joint into place.

[presure2]

if the axle is seated properly, and it keeps popping out on you, chances are they gave you a 5th gen axle.

[Cutrara]

I can bolt the balljoint up fine after the first day, I have been using a C-clamp to pull the balljoint and a-arm together and bolting it up. My problem is locking the axle into the transmission, the second time I did it, I thought I was sure it was locked in right.... I pulled and tugged on it before I moved on and it felt like the original. Did some full lock turns in my parking lot and it didn't come out, but as soon as a took it on the streets it took a **** on me.


I also pulled a jack stand out, and didn't pull it out far enough from the car and when I lowered the car it put a nice crease in my fender. It's not too noticable, but I'm going to notice it all the time. FML

[Random_Stranger]

Hey man, I haven't had to change that out yet. I am barely taking classes right now in school for auto tech, and this is just basic. I wish I had real advice to help you have the means to do it on your own, but I do not. I am concerned about the whole situation with you and your girl though. Did she get mad at you? Because it isn't your fault. Anyone I am with, knows my car comes before it all. I know my family members get mad at me when I miss functions because of installing something on my car or repairing it, but I must admit, I am also obsessed with it.

I have no girl, no kids, and not too too close with family, but close enough that I go to every function available if time is on my side. I know this isn't about me though, this is about you. I simply put this out there that perhaps we relate the same in our daily lives.

Well, I hope you get your car fixed soon. Please do not be discouraged, anything worth holding onto, is worth fighting for. In the end, you will be that much greater, stronger, and all the more wise. Believe it or not, I have struggled with my car over a stupid alternator for the past 6 days! Yeah! First was power failure and car failed to start after turning off and on 3 times, battery was low and under warranty, problem fixed. Next day power failure again (but only with the CD player, actually both times, would cut out if turned up too high), found that my alternator belt was too loose. Tightened it up, and it was fine. Next day, power failure again when turned the stereo up to where I normally bump it. Took the alternator in, their machine was broke to test it (after attempting for 30 min). Had to drive across town, had it tested, failed. Drove back to that other place to pick up an alternator. Installed it, battery light would flicker. The battery light flickered for 4 days and because of a holiday, had to wait until yesterday to take it into shop. Everything was fine, only the battery light still flickered and my teacher said I need a new negative terminal, because mine the way it was set up, was a temporary fix. I buy those cables and terminal. Was a pain and took many attempts of my strength (i am pretty strong) and finally got it off to install. Battery light still came on, and found that a cable wire that plugs into alternator was loose. Problem solved.

the day of the Alternator install, plus last night with the terminals, had a date with a hot chick. Monday went well, Thursday she stood me up after I rushed to get this done. So you see, I am grateful that I fixed my car, so getting stood up is not affecting me. I love my car so much and doing these things with my hands that my dad never taught me or shown me tells me something about myself I never knew. So I hope in reading this, you will be filled with hope again and make something happen. Or maybe you will be blessed with help! But your faith is being tested at the moment (whether in God or yourself).

I dunno what got into me, and sorry, I didn't expect to write so much. But I just feel your pain and can sympathize with you.

[Cutrara]

Thanks man, my gf was upset at first but then I borrowed a car and made it to her place for the weekend, so things are fine now. I feel alot better with the whole situation now, I'm getting the car towed tomorrow afternoon, so hopefully I should have the car back in a couple of days which is no big deal because I have no place to drive to for a while. I don't feel so discouraged with my car any more... in fact I have a little notepad.exe to-do list and I added a whole bunch of things... I have work to do

[Cutrara]

Apparently the axle was seated right the second time, but the BRAND NEW axle was a dud, the mechanic said the inner CV didn't have enough axial movement, so when my suspension traveled, it yanked it out from the tranny. It was from advance auto. Being my smart self, I knelt on the flattened box for 2 days and it got rained on and idk where my receipt is...

if the axle is seated properly, and it keeps popping out on you, chances are they gave you a 5th gen axle.

Is there anyway to tell this for sure? Either its a 6th gen and its bad, or its a 5th gen and its fine, I just want to know before I go back to the store.

This post has been edited by Cutrara: Nov 18, 2008 - 9:18 AM