Whitesnake

Hello Guys,

I brought my car in for service to do a Brake, Alignment, and to check out a wierd noise comming from the engin compartment. I just got a call and they said my intermediate drivetrain/shaft needs to be replaced?. I forgot to ask if it is under warranty is it?.. 2nd.. If they replace it, would they have to do an alignment anyway?.. So could I ask them to not charge me for an alignment?

Thanks
2004 AcuraTL Automatic.

mrodriques

I would assume that it's covered under the powertrain warranty, unless there are heavy mods to the system or high mileage.

Whitesnake

No mods etc.. only 31k miles... What do you think about alignment?.. If they replaced the part, wouldn't they have to do an alignment anyway? Should I be charged for an alignment?

Ron A

If the part is under warranty, which it should be, then you would not be charged for an alignment if it is necessary.

THe service manual does not specify an alignment when changing the intermediate drive shaft, so it would be up to the mechanic or service manager to decide if one is necessary, based on what they did and saw when the work was done.

Legend2TL

To replace the intermediate drivetrain/shaft you have to remove the left driveshaft (which couples into the intermediate shaft). To remove that you have to split the lower ball joint on the left suspension. In essense once you've split the ball joint the alignment is now no longer there although a ball joint has a machined cone which is wedged into the steering knuckle so when reinstalled the alignment is probably almost practically the same.

It's debateable if you really have to do an alignment, I've never done it when replacing CV joint boots since I use a compression splitter and do not hammer on the steering knuckle.

Kinda a odd part to go bad, I've never heard of anyonr replacing one before on an Acura (driveshafts and CV joints I've heard plenty being replaced). Probably a bad manufactured shaft or intermidiate bearing.

Legend2TL

Try that again,

"to remove the intermediate drivetrain/shaft you have to remove the RIGHT driveshaft."

Forgot the transmission is on the left side of the TL.

LXiFLYBY

it should have no affect on the alignment.