Bent Axle?

[adkinsadam1]

SO I took my t4r in yesterday for an alignment and new brakes and to check out a strange noise coming from the rear axle. It turns out that the noise I was hearing was a result of it being bent. From what? I don't know... All I need to know is this: is this an issue that needs to be corrected ASAP? They told me I couldn't go on long road trips or drive on the highway, is this seriously unsafe? How much SHOULD it cost to replace an axle? Thanks all!

 

[TechWrench]

SO I took my t4r in yesterday for an alignment and new brakes and to check out a strange noise coming from the rear axle. It turns out that the noise I was hearing was a result of it being bent. From what? I don't know... All I need to know is this: is this an issue that needs to be corrected ASAP? They told me I couldn't go on long road trips or drive on the highway, is this seriously unsafe? How much SHOULD it cost to replace an axle? Thanks all!

Though not impossible, a bent rear axle is not easy to do. Did you hit a big pothole at speed? What evidence did they give to indicate an axle is bent? Does the rear wheel wobble (not turn true)? What type of strange noise were you hearing?

 

[BlackWorksInc]

You do any offroading, runnig potholes, ect?

As for the axle, if it is indeed bent, I would get it fixed then and there. It has the potential to chew up the bearings holding the axle, possibly the side gear in the differential from the deflection and some other bits.

 

[Acidmeld]

You do any offroading, runnig potholes, ect?

As for the axle, if it is indeed bent, I would get it fixed then and there. It has the potential to chew up the bearings holding the axle, possibly the side gear in the differential from the deflection and some other bits.

Totally agree. Get this fixed right away. It wont take much more driving before youll need the differential rebuilt too. Im assuming theyll automatically replace the wheel bearings.

 

[Aquabear]

Agreed get the axle fixed ASAP. I have had this before not once but 4TIMES on my old Jeep. You must went really hard maybe on those rocks on your axle but isnt that why we have 4Runners and not Ford Escapes??

As said before dont drive far if at all, the more you drive the more you GRIND!

Repair or replace your choice just make sure you do it right!

Good luck and keep us in the loop.

 

[00328]

Might want to get a second opinion, hopefully close by.

 

[galactic_04]

axle shaft? what is bent in there? I'd really like to know. The best guess I have is the wheel mounting flange isn't parallel to the axle any more which could be from off-roading or hitting a curb really hard.

Are they meaning the housing is bent? If so, I'd get another opinion. My brother had that happen - took a car hitting him at 45MPH though!

 

[BlackWorksInc]

The axle shaft itself is surprisingly precise, Think about it this way. A deflection of even as little as a degree or two can cause it to bind. I had a similar issue when rebuilding a manual transmission a long time ago, either my partner or I bonked the shift rod and it bent ever so slightly and the trans wouldn't shift anymore.

 

[willcountyjoel]

axle shaft? what is bent in there? I'd really like to know. The best guess I have is the wheel mounting flange isn't parallel to the axle any more which could be from off-roading or hitting a curb really hard.

Are they meaning the housing is bent? If so, I'd get another opinion. My brother had that happen - took a car hitting him at 45MPH though!

I agree:
Bent axle shaft = wobbly wheel.
Bent differential housing = deflected wheel with no wobble. Visually, wheel toed in/out or camber not at 0.
Neither are good. Bent axle shaft way cheaper to fix.

 

[dzlpwrd]

i have a 96 tacoma that was totaled. i bought it back from the insurance company and rebuilt it. since the rebuild i have put on 7000 miles, it has a vibration in 5th gear. i went to my uncle's body shop last friday to drop off some things for him. when i was there i asked him about the frame where the tail end is still bent down. while he was looking at it he noticed how the tire isn't centered in the wheelwell. he says the axle housing is bent and that would explain the vibration. i just hope i haven't caused too much damage to the diff.