Context:
My Car- Honda civic coupe Lx / 2007 ; 113000 miles
I was getting a cranking noise from the front left wheel on doing full wheel turns. I took to the local auto repair shop and he said my CV axle is bad.
I got the CV axle changed along with a few other works, including a rear break realignment and a general alignment (which was required as the cv axle was replaced), etc.
After change: All noise is gone, turning is smooth, all good, but ...
Problem:
I started feeling a "drag". Its hard to explain, but its like if I let the gas go, I feel the retardation is more than it used to be before the work done.. and I have to apply more power to keep it constant.
I took it back to the shop, there the mechanic test drove it but said he couldnt find anything (they rechecked the brakes and the alignment as well). I cant blame him for that, but I know my car and I know something is not right. Somebody driving it for the first time may not feel it.
He said - may be since its a new CV axle, its taking time to "break-in" (but I kindda didnt buy it :-) so this post ...)
So the question:
Is it normal for a new CV axle to show this kind of sluggishness?
**** Edit ***
I also should have mentioned, they also did change the spark plugs as they said Honda recommendation is a change at 80k and I'm already 113. So if that matters...