QuestionQUESTION: I have a 1986 Chrysler lebaron 2.2 non turbo. I was underneath peeking for p.m. maintenance and realized the pass. drive axle knuckle on the tripod was deteroriated. I replaced both axles and they are both in however when i make a right turn the passenger side axle separates at the union. Could this be due to an alignment issue. Also on start up i hear clicking also until it separates i have replaced it two times already.
ANSWER: Hi George,
Are you certain that the axles you obtained were the correct size and brand? There were 4 different brands of half-axles in use in those years and are not supposed to be intermixed. This may be your problem. Also, there is circlip on the tripod (inner) end which may be fatigues and not retained by the end of the shaft into the transmission fitting, so consider that possibility. The circlips are different for the various brands, so you may not have a situation where the inner end of the axle is being retained in the axle.
I suspect either the wrong part was given you, or the circlip is worn/incompatible. The clicking indicates that one of the joints is stressed or dry of grease, but it is probably stressed due to not being mechanically put together as it should. Check with a dealer parts catalog to see which brand of shaft was supposed to be used in the vehicle. You may have one from a different model. If you write back tell me which Lebaron body style you have (hardtop,convert/4-dr)
Roland
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QUESTION: The 1986 lebaron i have is not a convertible and is a 2 door. After looking in more detail i hear a clicking in the steering tie rod. I dont think its the wrong axles however they were replaced as a pair it appears that theres too much torque in the center union but the vehicle is stock. If the front end is out of alignment i've heard the axle could split in two. The issue is only on the passenger tri pod .
AnswerHi George,
I would doubt that alignment would so drastically affect the half-axles because they have so much flexibility. What I am keying on in your history is that it it detaching at the in-board end and to my understanding there should be a circlip on the end which secures it to the transmission rather strongly such that you have to pry between the edge of the tripod and the transmission to remove it. It should not come out under normal driving/steering conditions. So if you can insert it and pull it out again easily you don't have the circlip effectively doing its job.
Roland
