I need to have the axle replaced on my '01 Forester - boot cracked on the passenger side - looks like a bad design in relation to exhaust system.

 

Question: does a wheel alignment need to be done after an axle replacement? or asked another way, does replacing a front axle, alter the alignment of a previously prefectly aligned Forester ?

 

Thanks in advance!

I need to have the axle replaced on my '01 Forester - boot cracked on the passenger side - looks like a bad design in relation to exhaust system.

 

Question: does a wheel alignment need to be done after an axle replacement? or asked another way, does replacing a front axle, alter the alignment of a previously prefectly aligned Forester ?

 

Thanks in advance!

 

it depends on how you remove the axle. if you do not remove the bolts to the strut, or if you mark the position of the upper stru bolt before you remove it, then you do not have to re-align. if you remove the 2 strut bolts and don't re-install EXACTLY the way they were, you have to re-alaign.

 

search and you'll find several good write ups.

I avoid doing alignments by not touching the strut bolts. I disassemble the ball joint, sway bar link and tie rod end. This allows the axle to be removed without changing the aligmnet. It's a little more work but IMO worth it.

and tie rod end.

 

Tie Rod end? That must be a typo right? Undoing the tie rod end messes with the alignment since in controls the steering. Just turn the wheel all the way in one direction after undoing the ball joint and sway bar link, and there is enough room to get the axle out with out undoing the tie rod end.

If you just pop the tie rod end, you dont affect the steering geometry.

 

 

nipper

If you just pop the tie rod end, you dont affect the steering geometry.

 

 

nipper

Thanks nipper

No need to touch the tie rod anyway. Turn the wheels all the way in the direction of the wheel you are pulling loose, pull the ball joint and axle nut, then you can swing the wheel free of the axle easily. The more things you take loose, the more you have to put back. Also, the more things you take loose, the more chances there are to mess with the alignment.

If you just pop the tie rod end, you dont affect the steering geometry.

 

 

nipper

 

Even with the right tools... I've never managed to do that without tearing the boot. But even so, I've never needed to do that and I've done a dozen axle or boot replacements. I suggest you try taking the axle out before going through the hassle of the tierod.

Even with the right tools... I've never managed to do that without tearing the boot. But even so, I've never needed to do that and I've done a dozen axle or boot replacements. I suggest you try taking the axle out before going through the hassle of the tierod.

Get yourself a good heavy hammer, with the nut off the tie rod end stud hit the edge of the knukle where the stud goes thru, they pop right out. I've NEVER used a fork on a tie rod end. The ball joint I take out of the kuknle by removing the pinch bolt. No ripped boots, ever.

Get yourself a good heavy hammer, with the nut off the tie rod end stud hit the edge of the knukle where the stud goes thru, they pop right out. I've NEVER used a fork on a tie rod end.

See GG, it's a viable technique even in the rust belt.