Terminus

Car in question: 1993 Civic LX

Alright well my girl rode on top of a parking divider and she basically (according to the local shop, I’ll get a second opinion on Monday) did this:

2x New axels = $160x2 = $320
4x New struts = $190
1x New outer tie rod = $90

And of course the alignment which = $45

Also, now my exhaust sounds like it's after market - my guess is that she also punched a hole somewhere down there, I can't be sure though as I have to see a specialist on Monday for the exhaust but I’m wondering if it will cause back pressure or something on my engine now because if it won’t be that big a problem I couldn’t care less what my exhaust sounds like as long as I don’t have to repair the engine because of the ware.

The car doesn't drive any differently now as far as I can tell but it seems the tachometer is now quick to rev up to higher RPMs as it shoots from 1000 to 3000 with the slightest press of the pedal – could this be the exhaust? And is this bad or good? It doesn’t cause the car to redline at all, it shifts fine too (thank god seeing the FWD transmission is next to the axles).

Anyways my main questions are this: how long can I go without these repairs and are those fair prices for said service?

I was pushing the car up and down when I got home and the struts don’t seem to be too broken as the car bounces at least; and the axles… well I don’t do much highway driving anyways so I’m not scared riding them till they break on me (I have AAA anyways). Unless of course this would also cause damage to the engine/transmission or differentials or something…?

I have no idea what a tie rod is… isn’t that inside the engine or something or am I thinking of a push rod? Well any help will be very much appreciated guys, thanks

miahmouse

have you actually looked under the car to see what got hit? does the tie rod look bent? are there any shakes/shimmies or weird sounds?

I'll just say that if anything needs to be replaced so far as shocks/axles they probably needed to be replaced to begin with (if I read this right). if the exhaust sounds like it has a hole in it, take it to an exhaust shop. if it's pulling right/left or the tires are wearing funny then get the alignment.

Bseriescivic5

ok basically a tie rod is part of the suspension, connect to the steering rack. if you are driving on the car rightnow after this incident, the axells are not broke. also those struts are VERY STRONG so you would have to put alot of force to break em at most you slightly bent them. those prices are decent brand new axells will run you that much. The exoust,depending where it is, most likely will not couse you problems, as far as the engine goes, but definatly get another opinion.

Terminus

what does the tie rod look like?

i rev'd the engine while looking under the car and the rumbling sound was coming from the back towards the muffler... towards the middle there was this rod thing with grass on it (from when it hit the grass/divider)... would that be the tie rod? it seems to be sticking out and not flat like the rest of the underside from the looks of it

JL

do you have a digital camera?

misdirected

IN REGARD TO THE COST OF WORK I MY SELF AM A TECH. AND THEY SEEM TO BE FAIR PRICES , BUT I WOULD SEE IF THEY WOULD THROW IN THE ALIGNMENT ONLY BECAUSE THATS WHAT WE DO WHEN WE DO FRT STRUTS , IT COMES WITH THE WORK. AS FAR AS THE EXHAUST PROBLEM SINCE YOU ALREADY HAVE TO HAVE IT FIXED IT MIGHT COST LESS FOR A CUSTOM ONE COMPARED TO A STOCK, IF YOU ARE TRYING TO DO CUSTOM FEATURES...

Terminus

yes but it's dark outside right now and i don't have access to a lighted garage

Terminus

what would be a nice exhaust that won't sound too loud but would be better than stock?

i don't want to buy a new exhaust but i also don't want my engine dying on me cause the thing is choking it, i'll get it looked at on monday definately though

zad5

if you lived close to be i would help you out chang ethe axles and check the other ****. 320 for axles and istall is quite a bit. are the axles broken yea look under the car mechanic like to screw people over.

AzntaggeR

thats pretty expensive for some axles. axles from your local auto part stores are like $60-80 a piece. as for struts, i'm sure someone on here will sell you perfectly good set for less then $50. those charges maybe for the labor as well.

Terminus

well i'm not sure if i need work done at all right now that's why i came here first; so you guys think the axles and struts need to be replaced then? i'm very hesitant about this because the car drives just as it did before but louder because of the damaged exhaust (I know some of you love that but this is a hole in the exhaust not a new exhaust so it bothers me a lot)

and yeah those prices include labor

b16ahybrid

IMO it sounds like they are trying to rip you off.
How wide was this divider? just your normal curb? 4'' or so wide?4'' tall?
The only way that I can see your axles having damage would be the cv boots, being torn. In that case it's better to replace them then try to repair ( never heard anything good about people just replacing the boots)....Other then that your axles may have a few scratches, they are very strong trust me....if they can hold 400+ whp w/out breaking then I doubt your going to cause much damage to the axle itself by hitting a curb.
As far as your shocks go, I don't see how you could cause any damage to them by hitting a curb, your lower control arm would most likey take most of the force, and would most likley have damage before your shocks. and the tie rod end could be damaged from this type of accident. To me it sounds like they are just replacing worn out parts (on an 11 year old car) that would normally need replacing regardless if she hit a curb or not

pane93civhb

tie rod looks like a rod that connects to the hub... from right near the a arm compare both sides with the wheels off the car.. u would no if the axles were damaged look at the boots on the axles on the tranny and hub side just to see if they are leaking if the tie rod was bent ur car wont drive str8 at all. i doubt the struts are broken u would most likely be able to see that those are the things inside of the springs and.. also the axles if u buy new ones from autozone even should not cost more then 70. bills a piece u get back most of the money for given ur old axles to them.. its called the core charge...
goog luck with that man hope it all works out.. tried to find pics of the tie rod.. sorry dude..

Frozen E

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by misdirected &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">IN REGARD TO THE COST OF WORK I MY SELF AM A TECH. AND THEY SEEM TO BE FAIR PRICES , BUT I WOULD SEE IF THEY WOULD THROW IN THE ALIGNMENT ONLY BECAUSE THATS WHAT WE DO WHEN WE DO FRT STRUTS , IT COMES WITH THE WORK. AS FAR AS THE EXHAUST PROBLEM SINCE YOU ALREADY HAVE TO HAVE IT FIXED IT MIGHT COST LESS FOR A CUSTOM ONE COMPARED TO A STOCK, IF YOU ARE TRYING TO DO CUSTOM FEATURES...</TD></TR></TABLE>

If you want your reply to be read you should really cut out that all caps bullshit.

BigZ88

get the axles from NAPA.... as far as i know they are like the guy said earlier... $60-80 or some such and i THINK they have a lifetime warranty :-D

BrysonIsAScammer

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by IslandSi &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

If you want your reply to be read you should really cut out that all caps bullshit. </TD></TR></TABLE>

Or you can be a little more mature and look passed the size of a bunch of letters.

Eg Smurf

Wow amazing they are over charging you. Unless they are charging you for axles that aren't refurbished. Cuz damn man the refurbished ones work fine and cost wayyyyyy less. At cost less then 100 for one but the shop usually ups it a lil. So at most 100 man. If thats with labor o man.

drewbie*

i have a set of axels for sale ifyou are looking .. send me a pm

kKdARIAN

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by SarahDelSol &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Or you can be a little more mature and look passed the size of a bunch of letters.</TD></TR></TABLE>

post'

don't mind him, he's an excessive quoter'


dood... seriously.. if you want an opinion from people here, get some pictures of the damage.. your story is great and all... but this thread is useless without pics.

Frozen E

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by kKdARIAN &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">don't mind him, he's an excessive quoter'</TD></TR></TABLE>

Yep, especially when it comes to quoting annoying stuff that's hard to read.

Anyway, pics of the thing you're unsure of sticking out the bottom of your car would help. Also maybe getting the car up on a lift would help.

spyderracing

Get your car on some jack stands and get some pics for us.

misdirected

as long as the person you take it knows what thay are doing, thay will give you what you are loking for. just remember any idiot can bend an exhaust system, my best sujestion would be to ask about what if any high end custom cars thay have done. thar is nothing you will hate more than a ugly ex.

dantastic

i know several people who have driven over those parking stops and wound up with just a little cosmetic damage...