[AnnoyedBatman]

So I attempted to install coilovers this past weekend, only for them not to fit. In the process of taking out my wrx struts, I had to cut a bolt. This led to the car sitting on jack stands for several days waiting on a replacement. Well, I put in the new bolt today and was excited to go sliding in the freshly fallen snow. But as I left my driveway, I heard a knock come from the front left suspension area. I immediately assumed it was the replacement bolt. So I go back in my driveway, put it in park, put on the handbrake, and I start rolling back. It stopped, but only after I rolled a good 2 or 3 feet back. I have an automatic... that shouldn't happen. So I put it in my garage (my driveway is almost nothing but a hill). Turn the wheel and I see, if I'm not mistaken, my cv axle just hanging. Here are some pictures I took:

Sorry for the not-so-great pictures but I'm a little worried here. The only thing I can think of, is when I was removing the strut on that side, the control arm dropped so much that the boot just came right off. However, I thought they had some kind of securing mechanism. There doesn't seem to be a tear in the boot (luckily), it just kind of came off. So I am here, asking how to fix this rather interesting problem. Is it as simple as just pushing it into that oily slot thing (is that my transfer case or...)? Could it have something to do with the handbrake not stopping me? I really don't want it to be a super big problem. My car just got back from the dealership and the maintenance cost 2 arms, a leg, and 4 toes.

 

[TwoupTwodown]

Yup the joint slipped out of the "housing". Gotta put that back in there.

Happened to me when I did my struts the first time. Take everything back off so you can move the axle around and just line it back up and slide it back in there and reclamp it and it's good to go.

 

[AnnoyedBatman]

Yup the joint slipped out of the "housing". Gotta put that back in there.

Is it just as simple as putting it back on or do I need to do something special?

 

[Duderotomy]

add more grease to it before you stuff it back in

 

[TwoupTwodown]

True^^^

You probably lost some and you should replace it. And yes just line it back up and slip it in and clamp it.

 

[AnnoyedBatman]

add more grease to it before you stuff it back in

True^^^

You probably lost some and you should replace it. And yes just line it back up and slip it in and clamp it.

There needs to be a sweat wiping emoticon. Thanks guys. You just lowered my blood pressure :icon_surprised:

 

[TwoupTwodown]

FYI this happens all the time. Just remember for next time to support the hub so it doesn't turn or fall too much and slip out again. It's a slight PITA but nothing major.

 

[GuusV]

You may need to undo your suspension again to give it enough room to go back in. And it's rather tricky to get it lined up just right for the pieces to slip back in place. You may not be able to slip the boot back in place (it's supposed to be tight enough so the grease doesn't leak out). you may end up having to cut the clip off and replacing the clip.

If you don't have the right tools for this, it may be easier to just slip the boot on (maybe use a tie-strap temporarily) and let someone do it that does have the right tools (just to replace the boot-clip)

I don't expect that you did any damage though...