Hi folks - Could I have broken my transmission by replacing a lower control arm?

2001 V70 T5 automatic 150K miles. I just replaced a left side lower control arm and ball joint(remover steering knuckle). I have done this a few times on first generation v70s and it was always quite easy. On this car it was extremely difficult to get everything bolted back together. I attributed the difficulty to bigger springs on the newer car but it seems that I did something wrong. When I lowered the car it did not settle to ride height right away and clunked as it lowered when I slowly backed up.

Now I have a severe clunk when I shift from D to R and back. The car does drive and shifts through the gears as normal but clunks loudly into neutral when I stop. Could I have done something to the axel when reassembling the car to damage the trans? If so how long before it totally fails?

 

Somthing is not tight.

 

Yeah - that's what I was hoping but I can't see it. Control arm is tight, ball joint is tight, axel bolt is tight, steering knuckle to strut is tight. What could be loose that would make the transmission clunk with a stationary shift?

 

Hello, Since you're looking, check your motor mounts. If none of them have ever been changed in 150K.....The one on the front of the engine immediately next to the crank pulley was torn more than half way through on my car at 110K. You need to remove the RF wheel and two nuts which allow you to fold the plastic liner forward. Then check the others, obviously. Maybe lifting this and that during your repair finished one of them off. Kira

 

I've only had clunking in R and D when one of my hydraulic mounts went out and also when my lower torque rod was worn out. It could have just been a coincidence that one of them went out the same time you changed your control arm.

 

Thanks - I'll check the mounts first thing in the morning. Apparently the hydraulic mounts are not so easy to change?

 

Yea they are a bit of a pain. I will say that the rear hydraulic mount is the biggest pain in the butt to change. I will admit you will say quite a few four letter words while changing the rear mount. The front hydraulic mount is the easiest mount to change in my opinion.

 

Just checked it out - lower torque rod and upper rear mount are both bad. looks like the strut bushings should be replaced as well. Both Hydraulics look ok - I put a jack on the engine and lifted and saw no sign of movement - any other way to check these?

 

Ok - replaced torque rod and upper mount (all 3 pieces). Didn't fix it. The still clunks loudly when shifting from D to R. Also there is a vibration upon acceleration that is not consistent. Sometimes car will accelerate smoothly other times it will shake like very out balance wheels until I let off the gas, then it smooths out. Another clue - when I shift to P from D on a hill it will roll back farther than expected before catching (again- not always).

Is there any way I could have damaged a cv joint/axel when putting the control arm in? (left side) It was certainly very hard to get back together.

All the other engine mounts seem ok - I don't know what I did to this car - but it is not good

Thanks for your help.

 

Turns out I mangled the inner CV joint. I'm guessing that it was worn and it got overextended while the suspension was apart and did not compress properly on reassembly. That would explain the trouble I had getting it back together and the noise I heard while first moving the car. Oh well - new axel on the way.
Add this to your list of things that can happen

Thanks

 

I was going to say you messed up the axle (which you had no reason to touch) but you beat me to it
These are much more difficult to do a control arm bushing than a Gen 1.
Oh and it's AXLE not axel

 

I did have reason to touch it because I replaced the ball joint as well.

believe me - I wish I had no reason to touch it.

 

I could have saved you alot of trouble. For the next guy a "clunk" when engaing gears in a very good sign that the CV joint is blasted. The motor mounts on any car with 150k are going to be worn to "some" degree.

Sorry to hear about your misfortune. These things happen...At least you're capable of doing the repair yourself, and know how to do it correctly this time.

 

Axel/ Axy/ Axyl Rose of "Guns n' Roses" fame might take issue with your spelling correction...

 

Thanks - any special tricks involved in removing the left front axle? I'll have my replacement tomorrow.