Long story short, is it necessary to remove the driver's side axle to take out the clutch?

I just had it done last week, found out tonight the hub is loose and the cotter pin is missing. The axle nut has obviously been taken off and the bolt center is nice and shiny where someone pressed it out. Passenger side wasn't messed with.

Felt/heard a 'wawawawa' sound from the front end, isolated it to the axle.

 

Yes, the axle has to come out. No way around it.

 

Well, you could drop the trans with the driver's side axle still in place, but it would be quite a PITA. No sensible person ever would.

 

Thanks guys, I'll report back what they say.

 

Yeah, now that I think about it I guess you could. That would be a royal PITA wouldn't it? I think it's safe to say that the shop didn't do it that way. I'm sure they'll handle it for you.

 

Here's an update.

The mechanic screwed up the axle bearing when pressing the axle out. I could move the tire about 1" top to bottom it was so loose. Fortunately the owner of the shop took it for a spin before doing the work, so he admitted the sound wasn't there before changing the clutch out. I pointed out my friend drove 4 hours with the cotter pin missing, made it very clear how dangerous that could have been.

So I get a free hub bearing. But in the process they snapped the ABS sensor in half trying to get it off. No part available in the area, they're ordering a new one.

I also looked him straight in the eye and suggested he give me a 6 month waranty on the bearing, the same as the clutch. A long pause, then a handshake and all was agreed on.

The owner is rather upset and apologetic. I think he needs to get a new mechanic...

Oh, and the clutch has a light shake when I let it out from a stop. He said it was due to the resurfacing of the flywheel and to give it a month or so to smooth out. I'm skeptical.

 

Sooo...Is the flywheel going to warp its way back into trueness?

 

I think you need to find a new shop...

 

Are you guys saying the light shudder in 1/reverse won't go away? I really don't know, he just mentioned the clutch on the Maxima doesn't have some sort of support bearing to prevent that, or somesuch.

 

A support bearing? Do what?

There are a few things that could cause it to chatter/shudder, including an improperly resurfaced flywheel, improper break in, etc.