The body shop called and said that my car failed alignment, because it needs a right front knuckle and a right front control arm, as well as a bearing. So in order to align the damn thing, they say they need these 3 parts. They say it is NOT related to the big rear-impact collision I had, but rather to the prior damage from a hit-and-run that happened last March. Only thing is, I've done 4 track days and had numerous services done after the first accident, which was no more than a fender-bender. And, the car has been fine. My mechanic at the dealership where I bought the car never noticed any problems.

I am sure it is the bodyshop trying to BS me; or else they dont know that I tracked the car and got it serviced since the first crash. Just wanted to see if the story leaves you with the same feeling.

 

Well Ross...maybe your car needs just a basic alignment, but I would *think* you would KNOW if your car didn't feel right before your rear end damage.

 

yeah the damn thing felt fine before. On one hand, I don't want to potentially leave a problem unaddressed, but I also don't want to be taken advantage of. I think they're just BSing...how can I tell from the outside/under the car if my LCA and knuckle are blitzed?


[Modified by Ross, 8:07 AM 2/1/2002]

 

I doubt you'll be able to tell. Alignment is such a precise thing...you might have to take their word for it. Some shops will actually PRINT OFF a sheet that shows the alignment for each side. I doubt they could doctor something like that up. Check into it Ross.

 

take it to another place to see if they say the same thing?

 

Id run it up to your honda dealership. They have the printouts someone else mentioned before with exact specs.

tell...

 

I'd take it to the dealership, but my first inclination is to call BS.

 

this bodyshop is affiliated with a Honda dealer...the Acura place where I bought my car is 6 hours away...Im at school.

 

Well, I'd tell 'em to get it as close as they can to spec, ask for printouts. Then I'd take it to either another Acura/Honda dealer that would know that the ITR takes different settings than standard Integras, or an alignment specialist and get a second opinion. Only then would I go and get a new knuckle 'n' bearing.

 

BS = Bryan Sprinkel, hmmmm no that doesnt sound like me

Sorry to get OT , Ross take the car to another shop. Ask them to take a look.

Good luck..

Bryan Sprinkel


[Modified by BryanSprinkel, 10:25 AM 2/1/2002]

 

anyone know a good place to take it for an alignment in the MD/VA/DC area? the only reason I dont wanna bother taking it out, then to another shop is that this alignment will probably be covered under insurance.

 

either take it someplace for a second opinion or pay for the parts.
your choice.

Of course, i would have to know the specifics of the hit and run to judge how
much damage it could cause

 

by the way, did you not file a claim with the hit-and-run?

 

yeah, they rejected it since they weren't my carrier at the time.

I would have filed it with my old company, but they were already trying to screw me since they thought I was the driver of my Mom's Mustang, so an accident claim would have spiked my premiums through the roof.

 

One thing to consider is that body shops also check body alignment,
so a possiblity exists that the old parts may've been out of spec when compared to true for the body,
so that the wheel alignment may not've shown the difference.

Hopefully all your alignments are four wheel, anyhow.

Never hurts to get a second opinion. Or a third and fourth.

 

Here is the story, I just got off the phone with my insurance adjuster who went to the bodyshop. They dont know if the LCA or the knuckle are busted. They just assumed that, since the right front wheel has a little negative camber on the alignment readout. He said it could be due to the little hit-and-run I had a while ago, but the only problem with that is - I've tracked the car many times since then and the car has never behaved badly. Is it possible a problem like this worsens over time? I'm just gonna go get the car on Monday and drive it around...then I'll see if it needs any new suspension parts.

 

The control arm may show some paint flaking at the point of damage, the knuckle could show the same, but i'm not sure how they can tell both are bent if there is no flaking... I usually wound up replacing the one then finding out the other one is bent...

get a second opinion..

 

Ross, visit any "Just Tires" in MD or VA. They offer a FREE alignment analysis with printout.

 

I would say that tracking the car since the hit-and-run wouldn't tell you if it was out of alignment. I doubt the car would "behave" that differently. Have you had an alignment done since the hit-and-run, or just other service work?

 

I had an alignment after that, and the dealership that did it said my tires were cupping...which means too much positive camber.

I'll be at VIR, so DoEs AnYoNe KnOw WheRe I CaN GeT SoMe StRObE LiTEZ AnD LiGhT uP WiNdShiElD NoZzLeS?? this poo poo.

 

It sounds to me that you probably need a camber kit. If you had suspension damage you would know it. The car would pull all over the place. That and you would have really bad tire wear. I work at a body shop and I hear all the time from alignment shops say if they can't get a car to align they automatically say the frame is bent. It sounds like the shop you have it at isn't intersted in looking into the problem. They are just trying to pass as something that it isn't.