Drive Shaft Axle replaced, now steering wheel vibrations?

[Jay85]

Just had the right passenger front side Drive Axle changed on my 94 Nissan Maxima GXE @ 96k miles and now I think I'm having problems. When I drive, I feel a slight vibration on my steering wheel between 25 - 35mph. It wasn't doing this before I had the new Drive Axle replaced, and isn't too bad but noticeable. What could this be? Also, my passenger side brake makes a split second squeak when braking, same side the axle was replaced. Again, wasn't doing this before. All this happened when I had the new axle installed. Is it bad to be driven this way? I hear that drive shaft axles needs to be balanced? How much would a job like this cost? I'm having front struts put on tomorrow, and wanted to have the mechanic take a look but don't know exactly what to have him look at... Though he's not the one who installed the drive axle. Please let me know, thanks.

[loystock]

You have to take it back to whoever installed the axle. It may have been installed incorrectly and gonna get worse over time. Do not install new struts until the this problem is fixed as the original mechanic can claim that the problem is due to new struts.

[Jay85]

You have to take it back to whoever installed the axle. It may have been installed incorrectly and gonna get worse over time. Do not install new struts until the this problem is fixed as the original mechanic can claim that the problem is due to new struts.

Only problem is, I got it installed for free by a Mechanic School to save me some money... Honestly since you and I feel that it's installed incorrectly, I think the best choice for me is to take it to a professional shop and have them correct the problem or at least inspect the school's work. The axle is brand new and I hope that this hasn't caused any damage to the axle itself or transmission. Do you think it will be hard for this problem to be corrected by a professional? And what kind of money are we looking at here? Thanks

[loystock]

Assuming the half shaft and related components are not damaged, then you should only be charged for labor. You have to tell the other mechanic as to what has been done with your car so he can come up with the correct diagnosis.

[NutriaforBreakfast]

Make sure your wheel nuts are torqued up to spec-too tight messes up caliper sometimes
Might need to rebalance wheels too
I hate those air wrenches

[Jay85]

Thanks guys, I just came back from the shop and so far so good. The problem was my wheel alignment & I need wheel balancing. Everything was done today including installation of the struts, now she rides nice and smooth. Thank you guys for the help, much appreciated!

[loystock]

Well done. It's our pleasure to help.

[NutriaforBreakfast]

My wife busted a steel belt in here tire once. Its always good to watch how
the tire spins when it is up on the repair lift. Took about 2 hrs to figure
that it was "something else". Seems like suspension items are very tricky
to diagonose.

[lino]

Thanks guys, I just came back from the shop and so far so good. The problem was my wheel alignment & I need wheel balancing. Everything was done today including installation of the struts, now she rides nice and smooth. Thank you guys for the help, much appreciated!

Glad to hear that everythings working great now. Did you get a printout of the before and after of your alignment by any chance?

[NutriaforBreakfast]

Just to be on the safe side I would check the seals where the cv joint axles
meet the transmission to be sure no transmission fluid is leaking