"C V Axles???" - '04 Accord

[C-Minus]

Greetings, Chance I have 04' Accord, when accelerating & getting at about 45 mph I get mad vibration... No mods have been started, However had a set of tires installed (March) alignment etc. Was told that CV axles need to be replaced. Replaced both CV axles, and vibration still there... I'v checked wheel bearings, tie-rods. "Will it make difference if I used refurbished CV axles as compared to OEM?" I was told that the set I put on was defective (refurbished) However I had OEM ordered, but I mainly try to see is this really the problem...

[Leung]

refurbished simply means that they were repaired to original spec.

if you bought them at a parts store, you should have a life time warranty on them. if you have the time, go swap them out.

I rarely have a problem with refurb'd items and find that the money saved there could be used to repair other things. Keep in mind also that even though it's new doesn't mean it's not defective already. An example would be that most of the more experienced guys on here will tell you to boil a pot of water to test a new thermostat to see if it opens up before installing it into the car.

[deevergote]

The 04 is completely different from the models we all know here, so our advice may be a bit off.

However, did you install the axles yourself? If they're anything like the axles used in the F and H equipped cars, then it's possible to put things together without completely pushing the axles in. When this happens, you will feel a vibration.

Also, a few CB7 members have experienced vibrations due to refurbished axles from Advance Auto. Refurbished is never guaranteed to work properly. I know I have returned some pretty trashed axles as cores... I can't imagine they can be repaired properly, but I'm sure they've refurbished them and sold them anyway!


Depending on the vibration, it could be anything... wheel balance, wheel bearings, suspension bushings, shocks, alignment, damaged tires, warped brake rotors...

[batever]

Normally I would say that if your vibration predated your replacing the CV axles, I would look to something else first.

HOWEVER, the clue that it happens specifically DURING ACCELERATIION would indeed point to the inner or outer cv joints. Is it worse if you start out the car in first and floor it to say 5000 rpms? (in other words, maximum acceleration?) than if you go to say 40 mph and push the clutch in or put it into neutral and coast or just accelerate moderately? If so it's a power transfer problem and you may have bum refurb units.

[batever]

Also look at your installation technique.

1) hopefully you didn't let the axle ever "hang" on the inner CV joint during installation, as this can easily overextend and damage the joint.

2) if you think it might be an issue that the joint isn't actually all the way into the tranny, and that therefore the circlip isn't engaged, you can remove the outer axle stub from the hub, align the joints in as straight a line as possible, and then "convince" it to go in fully by striking the end of the axle stub with a hammer a few medium sized taps. (put a section of 2x4 over the stub and hammer on the 2x4 instead of directly on the metal). Keep that joint straight because when it's straight the hammer impacts will go directly throught the axle shafts and the cv joint outer housings, as opposed to going into the bearings per se. Tie the joint up with clothesline or wire to get it in as straight a configuration as possible, then do the hammer strikes.

try this first before replacing your cv joints.

[red07frontier]

First off is your car an auto or 5 speed? I would look elsewhere honestly if you had the same problem before the reman axles. If the car is an auto then look very very close at all 4 motor mounts. There are 2 smaller ones under the tranny but those don't fail. Honda has a few TSB's on motor mounts and vibration issues but like I said, only on the auto cars.

Have you tried swapping tires front front to back?

Do you hear any noises? Does it start shaking all of a sudden or is it gradual?

[batever]

failing or faulty inner cv joints are known for giving vibrations at specific speeds, such as the OP described. An axle end that isn't fully inserted could cause the same thing. although other things are possible and it's worth looking at the motor mounts, I think the CV joints are a prime suspect.

[C-Minus]

Chance I give thanks to all for the input & advice, I installed OEM units the other day... car run perfect!!! So I guess the moral of the story is "NEW" parts always!!! Thanks again!!!

[deevergote]

New OEM parts... new cheapie aftermarket parts might be worse than the remanufactured stuff!

I'm glad that fixed your problem. If it wasn't the axles, then it could have been something more expensive and complicated!