Did tech install cv axle wrong?

[darrylwmiller]

Had a non dealer service tech install a new oem right front axle on my AWD 2016 rogue. I notice the retaining clip is not flush with the bracket like it was before. Does it look like the axle is not pushed in far enough? I have attachec pics of what it looked like before vs now.

[VStar650CL]

That does look like he bent something, but those halfshaft bearings are almost always stuck and are usually a b!tc# to remove. So the retainer being bent won't mean anything as long as the bearing is seated in the bracket and the radius of the retainer isn't bent completely out of contact with the bearing face. In other words, if the retainer is still mostly flat then it shouldn't cause a problem. If it's bent that way all the way around (can't tell from the pics) then it needs to be replaced and the bearing seated properly.

[darrylwmiller]

Thank you. It is only bent there and not all the way around.

[VStar650CL]

Should be fine then. Sometimes those bearings take everything short of high explosives to remove, so it probably just gave the poor guy a hard time.

[darrylwmiller]

Well, the picture of it with the clip showing it flat was after the tech installed an aftermarket cv axle. I had a leak at the transfer case seal and I notice alight vibration while turning. I took it back to the tech and asked that they replace the cv axle with the OEM axle while he was changing the oil seal on the transfer case. The aftermarket was installed for 2 weeks so I can't really see it being hard to get out the 2nd time. I know the first time he broke the bracket and had to get a scrap yard one. It looks like the clip is almpst pushing against the bearing that may not be fully seated at the bottom but it is really hard to tell.

[VStar650CL]

That's different. You're right that it shouldn't be hard to pop a 2-week old bearing. Makes me wonder if the guy actually knows what he's doing. If the bearing isn't fully seated, even a little, it could be problematic down the road. So you might want a second opinion.

[darrylwmiller]

Yeah, I think I am going to take to dealership tomorrow morning to have them inspect. The only reason I went back to the other shop was because labour was covered after initial imstall caused a seal leak. The tech was comvinced he was going to have to add transmission fluid after the seal leak and at the time I was pretty sure it was gear oil.

[darrylwmiller]

Dealership checked it and all is good.

[VStar650CL]