Second week in a row... crazy part failing - Chapter 2: CV shaft

Eothain

Eothain

Rider of Rohan
Premium
Car
2011 FX35 AWD
So a month ago I go into the dealer with some routine maintenance. They find a cv boot ripped and tell me it needs to be replaced. I told them I have an Elite warranty and they need to replace the whole driver's shaft. They fix it the next day. Oddly, they didn't charge me the $100 deductible.

Well yesterday, I'm driving some city streets on the way to the Titans-Jaguars Thursday night NFL game. I hear a clunk and some weird clattering noises. Feel some vibration in the wheel and underneath. Manage to pull over and park in midtown and catch an Uber to the game. After the game I get in the wheel well with a flashlight and see the shaft is totally loose on the inside portion and dropped on the lower arm.

Can someone tell me from this picture I took this morning what may have happened? From where you see the plate inside from the boot (assuming this is where it attaches)... I see what appear to be dual bolt holes around the edges. Is this the part failing? Is this the dumbass tech not securing it properly? Can you even tell from this angle? Sorry, this is a best attempt through the wheel in the parking lot.

Thanks in advance.
20161028_113313.webp
 
It doesn't look like it's failed, it looks like the bolts rattled loose and the shaft has dropped off. Get it towed back to the dealer and tell them to try again.
 
Wow, that dumbass tech did not tighten the bolts enough that at least 5 of the 6 12mm bolt backed out and flew off. Those bolts needs 33 ft-lb of torque to them. From the picture, looks like the drive shaft is hang on by one bolt.
 
Oh man. That sucks bro! They deffinitely werent tightened enough & backed out. hopefully the mounting threaded holes didnt strip.
 
1) They didn't tighten the bolts
2) They didn't use locktite
I'd defiantly have them make it right!
 
The dealer has had it since yesterday. This morning they texted me and said that "apparently these bolts are locking and can only be used once and if they won't lock anymore they will back out." They said they ordered a new shaft and bolts.

Locking bolts? I say BS.
 
When working on bikes, I've come across bolts that were not meant to be removed often, or at all! So they strip and wont grab, so they'd just have to be replaced
 
On some cars, some bolts are one time use. On my BMW, several of the bolts are listed this way like water pump, valve cover, and a few others. But most of them are one time use because it's a delicate area like a metal to plastic interface and the bolts are aluminum so they stretch slightly when torqued down.

I don't think bolts that hold the CV joint are one time use though. Even if they were, there's no way 5 out of 6 back out if they were actually torqued down. I think the tech threaded them and just forgot to tighten.
 
They should have used locktite sounds like they are in CYA mode.
 
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