QuestionHello, About 3 months ago, I had the right front axel rod replaced on a 95 Geo Prism. At that time, I also had the right tie rod replaced. Since then, I moved to another state. My car began making noises, so I took it to a mechanic. The mechanic told me I needed a wheel bearing. So I called around to get the best price to have a wheel bearing done. I took it to a Midas shop to have the wheel bearing done and they checked it out and said the wheel bearing was fine, but that I needed a left front axel rod and possibly a transimission. It through me that they said that I could need a transmission because I've had no trouble at all with the transmission. So I had them do the axel rod for $259. They said it was driveable, but that I would feel some vibration from the bad transmission. They said the axel rod is slipping in the transmission. I drove it a few blocks home after I picked it up, and everytime I hit the brakes, it's like the car is sliding and the ABS light comes on. It was not doing that before. Does all of this make any sense? Do you think they messed up my car? What should I do now? They gave me an estimate of $1500 to replace the transmission. Help!
AnswerIf you had NO problems with the vehicle after the FIRST axle rod was replaced and or you had diminished noise from the right front it is possible that the axle bearing at the wheel hub is bad. However, the hub bearing should have been replaced when the FIRST axle was installed. This is something that should ALWAYS be done when an axle rod becomes faulty as it causes stress on the bearing and the bearing should ALWAYS be replaced.
When the FIRST axle rod was replaced the mechanic should have looked CAREFULLY at BOTH ends of the axle rod to see if there were any abnormalities present with the splines where it goes into the wheel hub.
Did the mechanic replace the complete axle shaft that also goes into the transmission or did he just replace the half that goes to the wheel hub.
there is a bearing in the transmission where the inner axle shaft goes into along with a splined gear that the end of the inner axle shaft slips into. It is RARE that the transmission gear and or bearing goes bad, But it does happen on RARE occassions.
Your problem know with the ABS light coming ON and the front wheel feeling as though it is locking up, I would believe to be an installation fault by Midas.
I would take the vehicle into the local GEO PRISM dealer's Service Department and talk with the Service Manager about all your problems and let hem have a look at it and advise you accordingly.
Had you brought the vehicle into my facility, I would have removed the entire outer and inner axle assembly, Inspected the teeth in the transmission gear and the teeth in the wheel hub gear and IF BOTH gears were OK, I would have given you a price on replacing the COMPLETE axle assembly and the hub bearing as well.
Cost including labor would have been approx $400.00 and you would NOT have this disaster on your hands.
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