Front weird axle angle

[Danevs12345]

Ok before I get a load of "try these links you useless searcher" replies, I have searched as many as I can think of and didn't find what I was looking for. So excuse me in advance if it already exists please.

2006 ML single cab diesel. Standard suspension. 550mm ride height both sides (front).

Recently broke a RH front cv being sit. After replacement I noticed that the CV angle on the right hand side is very severe, my axle leaves the diff centre and points up to the outer CV. Also the diff seams to point down on that side. Is this normal, do I need to lift it to correct it? The left hand side looks fine. It's like I need to Jack up the diff on one side.

Thanks and apologies in advance.

[NowForThe5th]

Haven't heard of this happening before, but anything is possible.

Using the online service manual link to get a picture of the diff and associated brackets etc. I found the following. From that, I'd deduce that there may be a problem with the RH bracket (#8) or the bolt that holds it in place (#6). Possible that what caused your CV to go caused other damage as well?

front diff.png

[Cowboy Dave]

Any chance it has shifted - damaged mount or something?

[Danevs12345]

Haha I like it, well, I fortunately had the manual open in another tab .

I see what you're saying, it would be bracket 8 I think for the Rh side, but it all looks fine. I'm a panel beater and used to 4x4 chassis work, hence why I'm even more stumped. I would say that the suspension has sagged, but according to all the measurements other people have given, 550mm for an ml is good!

I'll work on getting some pictures up. Thanks for the quick reply!

[NowForThe5th]

If the suspension heights are the same each side then it's reasonable to say that the suspension itself is ok. The axle tube pointing down and the CV shaft going up says to me that the problem is in that bracket and or its mounts. If the bolt (#6) was broken then the front of the bracket would move up, pushing the rear down and creating the situation you describe. Same thing if the mount had broken but not as likely, I'd think.

[Danevs12345]

[Danevs12345]

https://photos.google.com/album/AF1QipNIJlleynItcQiZhOVRAT7VzqZcEkQM3x31Sr5c/photo/AF1QipMUC8D8x0EPDRhJktJW92o8dKDth2vM9j0XCEMv

God forbid I put a picture that I want on the internet! Anyway, hopefully that works.

Bolts are intact, loosened them and tried to adjust, if I jack the chassis to replicate a lift it looks fine. Perhaps mine is "lift ready" from the factory. That's a joke, some things not right!

[RHKTriton]

Got to be a busted or bent mount.

If the heights are the same side to side you'd assume the suspension is fine.

So you haven't taken a hit on the diff or axle tubes?

[Danevs12345]

Looks like I've got bent diff brackets, Mount, crossmember and possibly chassis, yippee. Also I depart for a lap of Australia... Next week.

I've loosened everything but it's clear that nothing wants to go back to where it was, I've only had the car a couple of months, drives great even like this!

Thanks everyone, I'll update with any developments!

[4wd26]

this should help, maybe

[Danevs12345]

Thanks I might take it into work and check it on a bench. Decided that I'm going to try and straighten the brackets and mounts by eye tomorrow and see how it looks

[Danevs12345]

Well, that didn't work, next step. Found a wrecking auto petrol, going to strip the brackets and crossmember from it this arvo. Fingers crossed, otherwise its the chassis!

[Cowboy Dave]

Grab the diffs too - if they're 4.3s they're worth a bit.

[Danevs12345]

Just got back, ended up with a near new lift kit aswel he offered me both complete diffs for $300! Just didn't have the room, is it a decent upgrade to do? I tow a fair amount so I don't usually go over 100

[Cowboy Dave]

They return your gearing to a more stock feel when you have bigger tyres. A popular mod but they're hard to find.

[L200Shogun]

$300 for 4.3 diffs is very cheap

[Cowboy Dave]

Yep, a definite bargain there.

[Danevs12345]

I'll be sticking to standard tyres (ish) for touring. But if anyone in Perth area wants them I can pass on details. I should say that it was for an EXTRA $300 I could take both diffs, I was already spending a bit, and I removed everything myself. Both diffs are out now (thanks to me!) , I'd say a kind offer of $400 would get them. Is was a 2008 glxr auto 140kkm on the clock.

[RHKTriton]

Sounds like you've scored a major project.

Have you had this unit from new or did you 'mod' it yourself?

Hopefully all works out.

[Danevs12345]

Well, thanks for everyone's input, all sorted! Whether it was the lift or the replacement brackets that fixed it I couldn't say!

Only problem being that the rear springs are "comfort" Springs with a Max load of 300kg and I'm about to tow a camper trailer around aus. So I haven't fitted the rear springs, the current ones I have have extra leaves in them already. What do you guys think? I think it looks about right? https://plus.google.com/101452757914979 ... p9BiVwrrYn

Thanks again!

[NowForThe5th]

I had comfort leaves in my Triton. The way it was explained to me was that they had a capacity of 300kg extra (i.e. 150kg extra, each).

Your Triton looks good. I love those canopies - so easy to access everything.

[RHKTriton]

So how'd the replacement bits look along side the suspect ones?

[Danevs12345]

Thanks 5th, everything on it is a Gumtree cheapie but it all works!

Annoyingly the replacement parts looked identical, I couldn't notice any difference. But that's looking by eye alone, if each part was 5 degrees twisted it would have made the difference.