DMV703

Hey all,

So a shop I was referred to replaced my front cv axles (both) and did my front brakes about a month ago. Ever since then the GX has had vibration issues/rough ride mainly through the floor and seats. I've had no other work done to the car and these symptoms did not exist before I brought the car in. I contacted them and am having them look over the car/their work since it's warrantied.

I want to go in tomorrow with a list of specific items I want looked at so they cant just give it a glance over and say "yep we did everything right dont know what to tell you". Can you give me some specific items I should ask them to look at? So far I've heard the following from several people:

- hub/wheel nut (make sure they tightened it to spec)
- tie rod end lock nut, rack pinion arm (should not have been touched, did they mess with it?)
- inspect ball joints, specifically lower.

I do have lose bushings in a control arm causing play but this is something I had before the service and didn't cause the vibration I'm describing so I think they are separate issues.... any other advice would be greatly appreciated. this is killing me...the car is just not enjoyable to drive riding this way.

Lexus4321

The steering joint and the swaybar link has to come off before the knuckle is undone from the lower a-arm, so the axle can be removed, but this does not goof up anything in those areas.

A "vibration"? Like how? Like a engine running on 7cyl, or like some wheel weights missing? The latter would be felt in the steering wheel.

What axle was installed? A new OEM axle, new or reman aftermarket, or was it a rebuild? Did the inboard side snap ring snap all the way in? Anything leaking? Did they refill the diff oil after the work?

Likely not a axle nut, unless it was left so loose that the cotter pin could not be installed. The hub bearing is fixed in the hub and is splined, it's not like a old vehicle taper bearings on knuckle axle shaft where an improper tightened nut could leave lots of play that causes issues. Heck, I just wrench down the nut as tight as I can make it to the next full hole for cotter pin, I use no TQ wrench there, never had an issue in that area.

I find it odd you describe a vibration that is not in the steering wheel, yet all the parts you describe would vibrate into the steering.

Check diff oil level.
Check for missing wheel weights on all wheels.

DMV703

The vibration is like I'm driving on gravel.... its not like the whole car is shaking, it just feels.... rough.... like I'm riding on worn tires or something... nothing/not much through the steering wheel except a high speeds (even then just a little). I can feel it through seats/floor mainly. If I'm driving and i reach over and grab the arm rest on the passenger seat its shaking.... it just feels rough.... not like a car with 4 brand new tires on it... its more noticeable at slower/average speeds than high speeds if that tells you anything...

I've already had the wheels balanced then, and rebalanced since then. Nothing changed.

new/reman aftermarket axle, both sides.

I dont know what the inboard side snap ring even is? I dont know if they refilled the diff oil after the work, its not on the write up.... This shop specializes in land rover/range rover 4x4 vehicles in general and I'm handy but not a car expert by any means.. I assumed they knew what to do considering they advised me to do this service...

I'm as lost/clueless as you seem to be. My front shocks definitely need to be replaced but before this service there was no vibration so I don't think it could be that?

It just doesn't make sense, the car drove smoother when I had almost completely shot and hard rubber old tires on it and with axles that had torn boots....now it has brand new wheels and axles and just feels gross.

chiph9

If you have a good jack (don't use the one in the car), get the front wheels off the ground then check for play.

Chip H.

DMV703

Thanks Chip! Watched the vid and will be looking into this. Going back to the shop was a waste of time - had me take a tech for a test drive and the tech basiccally told me the vibration I was feeling was from the tires/tire tread on the road and was that its something "he wouldn't complain about". Despite the fact that I told him I had these tires pre- service and the car had no vibration at all. He basically looked at me like I was crazy for complaining and said "well if you want to chase something that small and pay us $150 an hour to look at it we'll look at it."

I even brought up the wheel bearing and he said 100% no, you would hear the howling. Anyways no help from them. Wasn't planning on returning there for service and now definitely wont be. Told me to maybe take air out of my tires (even though they've been inflated at same psi since they were put on) to see if that helped....

Lexus4321

A gravel like sound, to me sounds like a needle bearing, or possible the CV axle itself. I don't think it's your wheel hub bearing. The diff (cv axles) bearing maybe.

What CV axles were installed (make/model)??

As chip says, lift the wheel, start poking around. You might need to lift it on jack stands on all 4 corners, then idle it in 4wd (need 2 people for this !!!), and listen to see if you can hear crunching anywhere from the fronts.

Does your driveshaft feel loose at all?

projectd18

What shop is this in the DMV so i know to avoid in the future.

chiph9

Yep, loose U-joint bolts on the driveshafts would also be something to look at. As well as seeing if they're dry (never been greased like they should have been)
I would find a new shop - those guys sound like monkeys.

Chip H.

DMV703

gravel in terms of feel not sound. I'm having no noticeable sounds that cause any concerns, its just the feeling. In general it feels like I can feel every single bump/crack in the road. Just an overall "rough" ride that doesn't make sense considering 4 brand new wheels and tires (Wildpeak AT3's Falken).

DMV703

Overland 4x4 in Alexandria

Also charge $150/hour.... figured it was a safe bet considering they specialize in Land Rover/Range Rover and had decent reviews...but I'll never be going back. Also quoted me twice as much as every other shop in the area for labor to do front struts/shocks (quoted me almost $1k just in labor where everyone else has been half or less).

Avoid. Exline Automotive/Offroad in Springfield is one to look at. Only been once but will be going back. good reviews, solid prices, owner seems knowledgeable and like he actually cares. They did my rear shocks (Bilstein 5100's) for under $200 in labor.

DMV703

Trust me, never going back. Had a go to shop but its a solid hour from where I live now. Was trying to find something reliable a little closer so its been trial and error.

Lexus4321

You feel it, but don't hear anything. Hmmmmmm.

But you said the new tires were on prior to the work being done and you did not have the issue. What I can suggest here is, lower tire pressure to say 29psi, drive it to see if the issue is still there, then repeat say at 39-40psi. Does the gravel feel change at all? If not then tires are not it. I would not think tires at this point, you would have noticed that issue from the start of new tires.

What new wheels? New rims? Are they rubbing anything? But again, I would suspect you would have noticed this immediately after installing new wheels w/ new tires.

What make/model CV axles are they? Did you buy them, or did the shop supply them?

Inspect around underneath, did you pick up any garbage that might be flapping when driving?

Also check the running board covers (the black part you step on), are the firmly attached everywhere? I have a missing clip and at certain speeds that cover flaps just enough to make a sound I can hear.

Also, roof rack, make sure the cross members have the screws tight. Years ago one bar had some loose screws on passenger side, it was making a knocking sound but it was odd, it had me looking under the vehicle and not up top.

Did the shop re-verify the front diff was topped off after the axles installed?

If after all that checks out ok, I might suspect the axles, which may be causing vibration right into the front diff, which is itself secured tight to the vehicle chassis, and perhaps that's how you are feeling this from driver seat.

cr4west

Mine was rough feeling. Turned out to be the front U joint on the front PTO shaft. It was not loose, it had been greased and was seizing up.

Lexus4321

From some other threads here in CL, when you feel the noise grab onto the transfer shifter ****, is it vibrating like crazy? Will it vibrate more or less at different speeds?
The other thread also mentions go through 4x4 steps, 4x hi, 4x lo, back to 2x hi, drive each a little bit (~100ft each, dirt road preferable to avoid 4x bind, etc).