What Would You Do If Me? Bent Rear Axle
Thread Starter
|
New Member
Joined: Nov 2024
Posts: 2
From: Helena
What Would You Do If Me? Bent Rear Axle
Hi, I am new here.
I have a 2012 Honda Fit Sport. It is a great car but I have been trying to figure out what do about my bent rear axle. It is causing excessive toe, especially on left side and wearing down that rear tire. Car has about 70,000+ miles and beside the bent rear axle beam is in excellent condition. Even with toe issue it drives fine (except during winter). Then it is scary because do not have proper traction. I had mechanic look at and he said even with bend in axle beam it is solid and should not bend any more just wear through tires quickly.
I know I do not want to buy a brand new rear axle (as that would be way too much for how much car is probably worth.) Probably $2,500. I have seen from other post that shims and seeking to bend back into alignment are not good options. So if chose to repair, looks like secondhand market is probably my best option, which would be close to $1,000+ for part and having installed.
Watching this video below does not look like a super complicated job just need the proper equipment and tools. Which I would not have at house.
Here are a few questions I have:
1) How much do you think my 2012 Honda Fit is worth if did not have bent rear axle? How much do you think is worth presently with bent rear axle? Just trying to see how much effect has on worth.
2) Do you know if Honda Fit Sport rear axle beams are interchangeable with Base model? I am having a harder time finding a secondhand one for Sport so just curious if issue or not.
3) With this info, if you were in my place what would you do?
*Go ahead and pay to get secondhand axle beam installed.
*Just plan to spend a bit more extra money on tires and rotate them more often.
*If were going to sell: try to sell "as is" (letting buyer know about issue and giving discount to them to purchase bent axle beam) or replace before selling. (which one would be more economic?)
*Anything else would do?
Any help or advice will be much appreciated.
Thanks-
Matthew
I have a 2012 Honda Fit Sport. It is a great car but I have been trying to figure out what do about my bent rear axle. It is causing excessive toe, especially on left side and wearing down that rear tire. Car has about 70,000+ miles and beside the bent rear axle beam is in excellent condition. Even with toe issue it drives fine (except during winter). Then it is scary because do not have proper traction. I had mechanic look at and he said even with bend in axle beam it is solid and should not bend any more just wear through tires quickly.
I know I do not want to buy a brand new rear axle (as that would be way too much for how much car is probably worth.) Probably $2,500. I have seen from other post that shims and seeking to bend back into alignment are not good options. So if chose to repair, looks like secondhand market is probably my best option, which would be close to $1,000+ for part and having installed.
Watching this video below does not look like a super complicated job just need the proper equipment and tools. Which I would not have at house.
Here are a few questions I have:
1) How much do you think my 2012 Honda Fit is worth if did not have bent rear axle? How much do you think is worth presently with bent rear axle? Just trying to see how much effect has on worth.
2) Do you know if Honda Fit Sport rear axle beams are interchangeable with Base model? I am having a harder time finding a secondhand one for Sport so just curious if issue or not.
3) With this info, if you were in my place what would you do?
*Go ahead and pay to get secondhand axle beam installed.
*Just plan to spend a bit more extra money on tires and rotate them more often.
*If were going to sell: try to sell "as is" (letting buyer know about issue and giving discount to them to purchase bent axle beam) or replace before selling. (which one would be more economic?)
*Anything else would do?
Any help or advice will be much appreciated.
Thanks-
Matthew
Last edited by thistle93; Mar 7, 2025 at 04:09 PM.
Member
Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 883
From: MA
1) How much do you think my 2012 Honda Fit is worth if did not have bent rear axle? How much do you think is worth presently with bent rear axle? Just trying to see how much effect has on worth.
Go to KBB.com and enter your relevant information to determine the value of your car in your area.
2) Do you know if Honda Fit Sport rear axle beams are interchangeable with Base model? I am having a harder time finding a secondhand one for Sport so just curious if issue or not.
The axles should be interchangeable, but the Sport adds a rear anti-sway bar that would not be present if you use a Base axle from a junkyard (or new).
3) With this info, if you were in my place what would you do?
*Go ahead and pay to get secondhand axle beam installed.
*Just plan to spend a bit more extra money on tires and rotate them more often.
*If were going to sell: try to sell "as is" (letting buyer know about issue and giving discount to them to purchase bent axle beam) or replace before selling. (which one would be more economic?)
How long are your tires lasting? Compare the cost of the additional tires you will use (plus the costs associated with more frequent rotation if you don't DIY) vs the cost of the various options you have to repair/replace the rear axle. If you care about consuming more tires, add some amount in for that as well.
As far as selling goes, it all depends on the buyer. Some folks don't care about anything and will buy the first car they find in their price range. Other folks won't touch a car with a known issue regardless of the price (some will stay away even if you say you've fixed a known issue).
I haven't researched this topic, but I'm curious why bending the axle closer to the proper specifications is not an option? Cost? No mechanic wants to attempt the repair?
I have seen farmers and DIY mechanics do amazing metal bending with very crude tools. When I was a kid my dad straightened the frame on a badly wrecked vehicle using the 3-pt hitch on a tractor, several railroad ties, and a bunch of log chains. A professional with proper tools and equipment can do just about anything.
Go to KBB.com and enter your relevant information to determine the value of your car in your area.
2) Do you know if Honda Fit Sport rear axle beams are interchangeable with Base model? I am having a harder time finding a secondhand one for Sport so just curious if issue or not.
The axles should be interchangeable, but the Sport adds a rear anti-sway bar that would not be present if you use a Base axle from a junkyard (or new).
3) With this info, if you were in my place what would you do?
*Go ahead and pay to get secondhand axle beam installed.
*Just plan to spend a bit more extra money on tires and rotate them more often.
*If were going to sell: try to sell "as is" (letting buyer know about issue and giving discount to them to purchase bent axle beam) or replace before selling. (which one would be more economic?)
How long are your tires lasting? Compare the cost of the additional tires you will use (plus the costs associated with more frequent rotation if you don't DIY) vs the cost of the various options you have to repair/replace the rear axle. If you care about consuming more tires, add some amount in for that as well.
As far as selling goes, it all depends on the buyer. Some folks don't care about anything and will buy the first car they find in their price range. Other folks won't touch a car with a known issue regardless of the price (some will stay away even if you say you've fixed a known issue).
I haven't researched this topic, but I'm curious why bending the axle closer to the proper specifications is not an option? Cost? No mechanic wants to attempt the repair?
I have seen farmers and DIY mechanics do amazing metal bending with very crude tools. When I was a kid my dad straightened the frame on a badly wrecked vehicle using the 3-pt hitch on a tractor, several railroad ties, and a bunch of log chains. A professional with proper tools and equipment can do just about anything.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post