Sienna problems after suspension parts change

[Matt Boardman]

Hi, I have a 2002 Toyota Sienna which I have spent the last few days swapping out the front ball joints, tie rod ends, shocks & control arms. When it came to putting everything back together now the passenger side steering knuckle will not fit into the shock, and when I rotate the passenger side CV axle, the drivers side wheel turns in the opposite direction.

Its as though the CV axle got longer.

Anybody know what could cause this and how I go about fixing it?

Many thanks!!!

Topic

[Charles]

The length is probably assembly error. The rotation of the axles is normal. In non limited slip differentials only one wheel pulls. If you hold one you can turn the other. If you don’t hold one the turn in opposite directions. Limited slip differentials both turn in the same direction always.

[Matt Boardman]

Thanks. Yea, i wasnt thinking about the differential type. Doh! Im not sure of the assembly error though with the CV shaft length. The drivers side assembly was fine. I dont have the tie rod end connected to the knuckle, just the ball joint, and i can only get the bottom bolt through the knuckle and the shock mount, and the axle is as compressed as far as it will go. if the inner joint pops, will the shaft still turn as it is doing? If it is the inner joint is the any way to pop it back without disassembly?

[Its me]

When you say the passenger side steering knuckle will not fit into the shock, I am assuming you put new quick struts on it? With new struts, sometimes the knuckle goes on easy, sometimes it has to be wedged in. I may be mistaken, but it sounds like you connected the lower ball joint and are now trying to pry everything together…. That may be problematic..,.

Try this… Disconnect the lower ball joint by removing the two 14mm nuts and one 14mm bolt, then pry down on the lower control arm. NOW, set the strut into place (you may have to manhandle it into place) by getting the two big camber bolts in…. Then insert the cv axle and then attach the lower ball joint to the control arm.

This is a sure sign to have it aligned after it is done. You may have to pry and push and hammer the knuckle into the strut assembly and use a ladyfoot to get the bolt holes lined up.

-Karl

[Matt Boardman]

Thanks Karl. I’ll give it a try tomorrow when I have some light. And yes, they are the Gabriel Quick strut type. No more spring compressors for me. I still think it may be a popped a CV issue. Its like the new control arm isnt long enough, even though I have compared the dimensions of both.

[Its me]

OK… Just make sure of two things.

1. The CV axle shaft is firmly seated in the transaxle… These can be a pain… oftentimes I use a prybar and hammer the end of the prybar to transfer the shock to insert the CV Axle. This may be why the CV axle seems longer (If that is the issue)

2. Ensure you have the Strut installed before you try to attach the lower ball joint. Get the strut on, then turn the assembly to get the cv axle in the hole. THEN pry the lower control arm down and put in the bolts and nuts on the lower control arm assembly..

-Karl

[Matt Boardman]

The axle has a pressed bearing and the shop I go to has had no luck removing it, but that’s another problem. I can safely say the axle is seated in the transaxle. The inner boot is pretty stretched however.

[Its me]

[quote=”theguvnor” post=153102]The axle has a pressed bearing and the shop I go to has had no luck removing it, but that’s another problem. I can safely say the axle is seated in the transaxle. The inner boot is pretty stretched however.[/quote]

LOL… those bearings can be a PITA to get out if you only do them once in a while… A few tricks help them go faster… The real problem oftentimes is getting the CV axle out of the carrier bearing on the passenger side…. That can many times call for a sawzall and new axle shaft. Of course if your passenger side CV is not firmly in place in the carrier bearing, you can have issues.

Best of luck..

-Karl

[Matt Boardman]

Those pressed Toyota axles have been send by the Devil to mess with my sanity!

Thanks again Karl

[EricTheCarGuy]

Sounds like assembly error, or an issue with the aftermarket parts.

As for the extended inner boot. That is likely the inner CV joint has come out of the cup. You’ll likely have to undo the boot and reposition it back into the cup. It will require a new outer clamp.

Good luck and keep us posted.

[Matt Boardman]

Thanks Eric. It was the inner joint that was loose. Right now I only had cable zip ties to clamp the boot as none of the auto parts stores sold CV clamps. The outer joint boot had a rip in it anyways so the axle is getting replaced in the next few days. I packed it with Moly grease and gorilla taped the tear for a very temporary fix. I was pretty sure it wasnt aftermarket, as I carefully measured and compared the new vs the old parts, but who knows.

Toyota has some great automotive engineers. They seem to engineer the passenger side axle to freeze in the engine mount and make it so the entire cowl has to be removed to undo the strut bolts. Great for the dealers, not so much the owners that want to fix their vehicles.

Thanks to everyone for your help. I was down to one car between 3 people. Stay greasy!

[Author]

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