Front Axle/Suspension Problems...

**Juday** · 11-30-2007, 11:28 AM

I just got back from my mechanic who replaced my left front axle which broke at the knuckle. The dealership (who voided my suspension warranty on this problem) stated it was from the new PRG 2.5" lift (SAWs w/ PRG UCAs and DR rears) causing too much stress angle on the axle. I have the coilovers adjusted to 2.5" of lift (the suggested lift on those coilovers). I was wondering if any other 4x4 Titan owners have had this problem? If this seems to be a reoccuring problem, then I'm not sure I want to have this lift on while still under warranty. I paid good money for this setup and was not aware that something like this would have happened. Like I stated before, I have never used my 4Hi driving fast/hard with it engaged.

Greg, have you heard/known of this happening? The mechanic that replaced my axle (very good friend) said that it was pretty much maxed out on the travel while the truck was sitting level. I was also wondering if there was any spacer which could be attached to the lower control arm to be equal with the upper control arm, so that the lower control arm isn't sitting so low as to extend the axle to it's maxium range.

I'm just dumbfounded that this happened within three weeks of having this suspension setup on the truck. I usually engage my 4Hi at least four times a week on the construction site that I manage. If this happens again, I don't think I can afford to keep replacing these axles.

Any ideas or experiences with this would be extremely helpful. Thanks in advance.

06_SMOKE_SE_CC · 11-30-2007, 11:49 AM

personally, i hope it's not from the saw's, i have the radflos on mine set at 3.5" and don't wanna break any axles....however, i've never heard of this happeneing with anyone else's truck, and knowing greg, i wouldn't think that he would suggest/reccommend as much lift out of the co's as he does if it could possibly break axles....i'm hoping for your sake and the rest of us with upgraded suspension that this was just an untimely coincidence....

54warrior · 11-30-2007, 12:15 PM

I think I would have adjusted the shocks back down to 0" of lift before taking it in there!!!

Sorry to hear about the problem, sounds like an isolated incident to me.

**Juday** · 11-30-2007, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 54warrior

I think I would have adjusted the shocks back down to 0" of lift before taking it in there!!!

Sorry to hear about the problem, sounds like an isolated incident to me.

The funny thing is if I adjusted it back down to 0", they still wouldn't have covered the problem. Once they saw that it was an aftermarket suspension, it was an automatic "We aren't going to fix this under warranty because you changed the suspension from the original."

Anyways, I hope that it was just a bad axle before I put the suspension on there. The good news was that my mechanic charged me half of what the dealer was going to fix it for...imagine that...

kartman · 11-30-2007, 02:40 PM

They have to prove your parts caused the failure if they want to deny your warranty.

54warrior · 11-30-2007, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kartman

They have to prove your parts caused the failure if they want to deny your warranty.

Correct!!

I've had mine in many times with my lift and all, they seemed to care less. They've replaced a wheel bearing and CV boot with the lift and big tires installed.

**Juday** · 12-01-2007, 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kartman

They have to prove your parts caused the failure if they want to deny your warranty.

Like I stated, they blamed the problem on the suspension because with the 2.5" lift it caused the left front axle (the one that broke) to be at a greater angle than that of the original suspension. Plus (like all dealerships), they're always looking for a way to get out of doing the work under warranty. Trust me fellas, I tried my darndest to fight this with them, but they just wouldn't budge. It's all because the "Nissan Rep" said "Nope, because he has an aftermarket suspension he's automatically voided his warranty."

Anyways, I hope that this is just an isolated incident and that none of the other people here with the lift kit have experienced anything like this before. And if you guys have (or do have this happen) DO NOT let the dealership fix it. It will cost you about twice as much as a local mechanic.

Until next time I'll say

to the Nissan Service department.

kartman · 12-01-2007, 03:54 PM

blaming and proving are very different.

NorCal 4x4 · 12-01-2007, 03:55 PM

Like Kartman said, they have to prove the aftermarket parts did the damage.

The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act (15 U.S.C. 2302(C)) should have applied. You still might be able to get your cash back by going through small claims court. A letter of demand to the dealership's owner might be enough.

http://www.sema.org/main/semaorghome.aspx?ID=50096

There are plenty of people with that setup that have not had issues, and you could get letters from a lot of them, if you do need to go to court.

**crash519** · 12-02-2007, 08:21 AM

It does sound like an isolated incident. If your in rough terrain with the wheel at full drop it's no different than having a lift. Sounds to me like you need to go have a talk with the dealer and get recouped what your out. Like everyone said, the have to prove it caused the problem. More than likely, they didn't even talk to a Nissan rep.

**yamatitan** · 12-02-2007, 11:35 AM

It defiantly puts the axle at a great angle witch defiantly does not help. That being said Titan axles are pretty strong and 2.5" is probably still well in their operating angle.