Broken front axle

you sure it wasn't an axle seal?

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(NomadVT @ Dec 20 2006, 11:04 AM) [snapback]364586[/snapback]</div>

My sister broke the axle of her Honda Accord. We're still not sure how she managed that, anyway, if it's truly broken, you will be requiring the assistance of a tow truck. More likely the mechanic is pointing out a leaky seal as galaxee suggests, or a noisy CV joint or something similar.

 

OR possible a drive shaft? At 95,000 miles it's quite likely that it's time to get the half shafts rebuilt or replaced. The CV joint boots may have also been torn, which speeds up the process. If it really was a broken axle, the car wouldn't have been able to move.

 

Rick, the left side (driver's side) axle seal was defective on our 2006 Prius also. I say "defective" rather than "broken" because it began leaking with only about 9,000 miles on the car.

I noticed it when changing the oil, just like your mechanic did, and had the axle removed and the seal replaced under warranty. The seal part number is 90311-35054.

Hadn't realized what a common occurance this might be, as galaxee's immediate response indicates.

 

actually my immediate response was because we did an axle seal on a 97 camry the other night.

 

since i was just on the phone with DH i asked him about axle seal replacements- they are *maintenance items* and at 95k it's definitely normal to need a replacement. no worries.

at 9k, well that is way too early but he has personally never had to replace one before 70-80k that he can remember.

torn cv boots will also throw grease all over the underside of the car, in that case you definitely want to replace that before the cv joint goes.

 

Perhaps we are reading of the first Prius CV joint/boot failure right here. Had to happen eventually. Folks, please either get down there and inspect them yourselves periodically, or make sure that the shop does so.

 

I went in for a oil change and I was told my CV Boot is leaking. I wonder if my 10yr / 100,000 mile warranty from Toyota will cover this? My dealer has to order the part and they are checking to see about my coverage with the warranty.


<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(tochatihu @ Dec 22 2006, 08:44 AM) [snapback]365640[/snapback]</div>

 

Moby, sorry to suggest that there is a good chance that anything rubber on the car will fall under some sort of 'wear and tear' warranty exclusion. Regardless, please do get the thing fixed because half-axles cost way more than boots.

Other readers, *please* take a look at the important underbody components of your car, or get someone else to to so.

 

Thats weird, I have never had a seal fail on me, Its always the CV shaft knuckle.


Anyone know if greasing the boot is part of a regular oil change or do you need to request a quality check to get that done.

 

What is a CV boot? I have no clue!

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(loveit @ Mar 9 2007, 11:02 PM) [snapback]403121[/snapback]</div>

Hi Loveit,

CV stands for Continuous Velocity, which is the technical name for the type of universal joints used in four places on the front wheel drive cars (typically). These joints are lubricated with grease, and in order to keep the road grime out and the grease in as they rotate and flex (as the wheels go up and down with bumps in the road) there is a rubber cover, called a "boot". These are accordian pleated rubber pieces that you can see by where each front drive shaft comes out of the transmission, and near where the drive shat terminates in the wheel hub. Inside the rubber is a fist sized pieces of complicated machined metal, that allows the rotation power to be transmitted to the wheel, even when the wheel is at different positions and orientations (like when steering).

Check out this link:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CV_joint

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(TomorrowMatters @ Mar 9 2007, 09:52 PM) [snapback]403117[/snapback]</div>

No, the boot is supposed to be hermetically sealed. You only put the special grease in when replacing the boot and/or CV joint. If you catch a failed boot early enough, you will save the expense of replacing the CV joint. It's usually cheaper to get a rebuilt halfshaft than to pay a mechanic to replace one CV joint.

There is a new tool that also allows for very quick boot replacement. Check it out

http://www.astoria2000.com/main.html

It's a creepy looking tool though ...

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(jayman @ Mar 11 2007, 09:40 PM) [snapback]403990[/snapback]</div>

:blink:

won't catch DH using that thing... there's no way it'll work with a normal boot, those have to be special boots that are flexible enough to do that.

flexibility goes hand in hand with lack of durability.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(galaxee @ Mar 14 2007, 12:35 AM) [snapback]405178[/snapback]</div>

No doubt, but does the average consumer know that? All they care about is the cost of repair. The special boot carries a 1 year warranty

 

Since my previous car was a Honda, I replaced my CV boots every 30k miles or so. I was told that Hondas had CV boot problems...

A mechanic later told me to spray them with silicone spray every oil change. I have been doing it on my Prius since the first change. Don't know if it helps, but they don't appear to be dry at 80k miles.

 

I know this is an old thread but your question: Any other reports of higher mileage Prius going through CV joints or axles (in cases where the boot wasn't compromised or worn and grease was still in place)? Is what I am experiencing right now on my 2004. I am 7 miles short of 150k. I have had the same type of knocking on and off for years. When I have reported it to Toyota when in for oil changes or service they said it was nothing so I have never really thought it could be a problem. It has become more noticeable when backing up and turning the wheel or at stop signs turning either way at slow speeds. So I mentioned it when I went in my oil change and wham they say I need both DR & Pass CV axles and seals $1650.00. Tech's said no cracks or tears in the boots but they show a lot of wear. Please excuse me for using an old thread I am not used to these boards and last time I posted someone accused me of hijacking a post and getting it off topic but I was responding to the post that started the thread. I never posted again cause I wasn't sure what to do... Just trying to make sure I am not getting taken advantage of by the dealership.