Whitebread

iTrader: (2)

A few weeks ago I changed the axle on the passenger side and installed the new castle nut that came with the axle and torqued it to 250 ft-lbs. A week later the wheel bearing on that side went bad. I had a new one pressed in with the old hubs. At the time it did not occur to me that it might be prudent to install a new one but the tech at the service center said the hub looked fine.

The load dependent vibration that was occurring before the wheel bearing change is still present but is much less pronounced. So today while doing a rotation, I rechecked the torque on the castle nut on the passenger side axle spindle and found it required another 1/4 turn to reach 250ft-lbs after 30 miles of driving (and I torqued it correctly yesterday). Retorquing the nut did not have a huge effect on the vibration.
The vibration is the only problem I still have, no more tram lining, wheel wondering or mushy steering.

Does anyone have any recommendations as to what I can do to fix this problem? Torque the nut past 250 ft-lbs and use thread locker? Should I replace the CV, hub and get another nut? I'm running out of options and time before I have to pack up and go back to school.

Thanks

Whitebread

iTrader: (2)

Also, the driver side bearing was also replaced and the wheel nut was torqued to the same value and I have not had any problems there.

rroderiques77

iTrader: (45)

Could the vibration be wheel and/or tire related?

Whitebread

iTrader: (2)

The rotation ruled that out. There was no change in the cars behavior.

digitalbow

My FSM says 174-230 ft-lbs, and also to apply ATF to it. Hmm... not sure there.
I'd look over the suspension for the vibration you still have, too.

Whitebread

iTrader: (2)

I replaced the lower ball joints when I put the new bearings in. The tie rod ends are originals but will be replaced with MOOG units as soon as the alignment is done. The only things that are left are the struts. I find it unlikely the struts are causing this but, they will get replaced next week or, whenever Tokico N.A. decides it's time to ship their American customers their orders.

Edit:03 maxima FSM says 188-245 ft-lbs. It seems a few 5.5th geners have had a similar problem and it usually was wheel bearing/hub/drive shaft related. I've also heard of the 04 6th gen guys have loose wheel nuts that required torquing beyond factory spec to get them to stay on.

knight_yyz

iTrader: (40)

blue loctite, or an equivalent

Whitebread

iTrader: (2)

Torqued that sucka an 1/8 turn past 250ft-lbs and the vibration decreased further but it still is not gone yet. I'm thinking it needs more.

cobradb

ive changed a lot of these,, there must be something wrong with your setup,,never had a problem using 150-200ftlbs. i have seen some come loose from the factory setup and cause noise.

dav