Today I installed aftermarket lower control arm assembly and a new aftermarket cv axle on the right hand side (passenger) of my 1996 Maxima SE. When assembled the wheels are terribly out of alignment. Left wheel straight and right wheel clearly pointing to the left and tilted (out at top of the wheel and in at the ground). The tilting is less pronounced than the direction. What the heck did I do wrong - every thing bolted up like it should? Is this just an alignment issue? I would not even want to drive it his way.

Veq

 

I don't see how the axle could be the cause of the problem. Replacing the axle does not require a front end alignment afterwards. So the LCA is where the problem lies.

I would start by verifying that the LCA is the correct one for the car. Hold the original up against the new one and see if they are the same shape and size. Check the ball joint that it is not somehow out of position, compare it to the driver's side. All you can do is carefully look over where the LCA bolts to the body, that the bushings are in properly.

I don't know if you unbolted the steering knuckle from the strut, but do you have both bolts back in the strut?

 

Thanks Dennis. I did not remove either of the bolts attaching the strut to the steering knuckle (did not touch the strut at all). I did a visual comparison of the new control arm with the old and everything lined up fine. I think what I did wrong was to mount the back bolts (body mounting) of the control arm first and the worked the ball joint stud into the knuckle. I will go back and drop the body mounting bolts in the control arm and see if this realigns things. Any thoughts on that plan?

Veq

 

Since I can't say definitely what the problem is, try it. I hope it works for you but I really don't know.

 

Your confirmation that it was likely due to the LCA and not the axle helped. Anyone else have any thoughts? Has anyone else had a similar problem with the instal of a LCA?

Veq

 

Did you remove the tierod ends? I believe that is the only thing that would cause it to be out of alignment.

 

You need an alignment, sir. You can't just mess with suspension components and expect for things to not be "off".

 

I did not remove the tie rod end but I did disconnect it from the steering knuckle when removing the cv axle. When the tie rod was disconnected I did turn the steering wheel - call it a mental lapse.... Would that affect anything? I did not mess with the tie rod end other than disconnecting it.

The front wheels are off enough that it is noticeable and I would not be fun to drive it - say 5-10 degrees. I did reinstall the LCA and the wheel "tilt" is gone. I had failed raise the LCA into driving position with a jack prior to tightening the bushing pin nut.

I have never adjusted the alignment myself but a rough adjustment might be enough to alow me to drive to have an alignment done. Other than that I would need it towed in.

Veq

 

The same thing happened to another org member just a short time ago. It was the aftermarket control arm that was the issue. Exchange the part, maybe even try a different brand.

Could you tell us where you got the arm from and what brand is it? Perhaps we should be aware of the issue with this particular part & vendor.

 

Driveworks from Advance Autoparts. Part number 520-520: right lower control arm assembly. I sure would love to read that thread what would I search on?

Veq

 

You could try screwing in the tierod a couple turns on the right side just to get it straight enough to drive to the alignment shop

 

I found the thread - I am feeling a bit less incompetent (thanks for the lead).

http://forums.maxima.org/4th-generat...preciated.html

Different brands but the part numbers are the same. I am guessing that Dorman makes the Driveworks brand for Advance Autoparts. I am going to see if I can exchange for Moog. The part looks well made but if its potentialy out of spec who cares.

What a PITA. Thanks to all. If you have other ideas please share them.

Veq.

 

I pulled the Driveworks LCA and carefully compared it to the original - it was shorter (from pin bushing to ball joint) by approximately and inch. That was my problem - pulled the bottom of the wheel in and pushed the back (where the tie rod attaches to the steering knuckle) out (my car looked pigeon toed). Thanks to all for their ideas and suggestions. Special thanks to njmaxseltd for nailing it. I owe you at least one beer. I did take pictures of the bad part on top of the original. If anyone wants to see them I will post them.

I bought a Moog LCA and installed it. Front wheels are parallel and the car tracks straight. I am sure the alignment is off somewhat and I will have it redone but its still close.

Thanks again for hauling me out of the hole I was in.

Veq

 

Your very welcome!
And thanks for updating us.

 

Good to hear you found the problem and got it fixed right. I guess the lesson we all have to learn from this is to carefully compare the original part to a non-Nissan replacement part.

 

^ This

I updated the thread title to help others who have a similar problem and use the search function in the future.