I replaced both CV Shafts/Axles on my 1999 Nissan Altima (Auto-no ABS) today and everything seemed to go in perfect with no issue. Tested the car out with a few laps around the neighborhood and everything was smooth (no noises, no vibration, etc). I went to the store not long after coming back from the test drive and when I came back home and pulled into my driveway and stopped, the car made a LOUD thump sound. It was big enough that it felt like someone had hit my arm while it was on the arm rest. Took it out for another lap around the neighborhood and still running fine, made a few stops, put the car into Park, Reverse, Neutral, no loud thump.Could this sound just be from one of the axles not being completely locked in place and just adjusting itself? Could it also be from any transmission fluid lost during the process (I don‘t think I lost much if any at all)? I took a look at the CV shaft/axle and the booths and shaft look fine.
I still think you're right.
Did the half-shafts have new lock rings before you snapped them into the transmission? What pray tell is a booth and shaft? Axles do not adjust themselves
The joint that goes into the transmission has two parts--the tulip and the spider. The tulip is what snaps into the transmission. If the C clip doesn't snap in all the way, the spider and boot can actually pull the tulip out of the transmission as you drive. Then is slams back in as the axle shaft comes back in. If you haven't returned the cores, look at the mating surface where the transmission seal rides on the tulip. See how wide the dirty portion is. Then compare that to how much is sticking out of the transmission on the new shaft. If it's sticking out more, you haven't seated the C-clip. If that's the problem, there is a way out without doing a complete disassembly. Take a piece of 2x4 and rest it against the edge of the tulip where the boot attaches. Use a large mallet and make a quick swat at it. The wood usually doesn't damage the boot as long as you don't really wallop on it. That quick swat is usually enough to pop the c clip in place.
