TLDR; Shop replaces axle, axle won't stay seated, shop seems incompetent and says my trans might be broken, what do ¿?

Noticed some drips in my driveway. Seemed to be axle seal, so took it to a shop. They said that the passenger axle was bent as well (I never noticed anything, but sure go ahead, replace it) Drove 60 miles, started making whining noise, fluid all over the bottom of the car. Take it back to the shop. They say they warranty the axle and put in a new one. Drive like 5 miles, whining noise, fluid leaking. Pulled on the axle, it moves in an out about 1cm. Took it back to the shop. They say they'll warranty it again, but that something is likely wrong with my transmission, causing the axle to fall out.

I call bull____. I heard getting these axles to seat properly can be difficult. Any thoughts?

 

CV axle install is pretty straight forward. A reputable shop should not have any problems with this. Can you jack the car up on stands and check underneath for gaps between transmission and axle? Is this a manual or automatic? Do you mean when you pull the axle, the shaft moves in the boot or it actually comes out of the transmission 1cm? Moving in and out in the joints and boot a small amount is normal. Moving in and out of the transmission even a small amount is not normal. What kind of fluid? Is it axle grease or transmission fluid? Whining noise could be the bearing.

 

The shaft slides in an out of the trans. Leaking trans fluid out of axle seal. Manual.

 

There's a snap ring clip on the end of the axle that keeps it in the transmission. If transmission fluid is coming out of there, the seal needs to be replaced. The seal has been damaged. Is there a gap between the transmission wall and the stub shaft of the axle? That's the metal part that looks like a cup that the boot goes around. The side opposite the boot lines up flush to the transmission. Usually the axle won't go left or right with the entire spindle knuckle, axle nut, control arm and tie rods attached. When you are checking the assembly are you taking any bolts off like off the control arm, the axle nut, strut or tie rod off? Otherwise the spindle knuckle sandwiches the axle in there. If you are checking by pulling on the axle shaft, there is play that is normal left to right.

I guess the recommendation would be to take it back to the shop to make sure they repair something to your satisfaction. If they don't, then get a lawyer. If they give you labor money back, go to another more reputable shop for the work. Hope this helps.

 

Does the car make a thumping type of sound when you drive over bumps?