Update on the Leaf

"Alex B" (alexb420)
03/01/2015 at 17:55 • Filed to: Nissan Leaf

So earlier !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! happened. After further examination the front left wheel has shifted back about a half an inch on the x axis, it also picked up some positive camber as well. Do you guys think we should send it to the official Nissan dealer or have a 3rd party shop repair it? I personally think we should have fixed at the Nissan dealer for a few reasons.

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DISCUSSION (12)

Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy > Alex B
03/01/2015 at 18:01

dealer. no question. They have specialists and parts on hand.

Alex B > Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy
03/01/2015 at 18:05

That's what I think too. Because the nature of the car (even though the suspension is probably similar to any other small Nissan) I think it makes more sense.

Boss2452stolemylunchmoney > Alex B
03/01/2015 at 18:06

That'll be expensive.... Sorry mate.

Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy > Alex B
03/01/2015 at 18:07

the LEAF is based on the Versa. Suspension should be the same, probably a bit stiffer to compensate for the weight of the car.

Arben72 > Alex B
03/01/2015 at 18:42

Knowing Nissan dealers, your better off hiring some guy called Rick on Craigslist.

Alex B > Arben72
03/01/2015 at 18:48

I think so too. But only if he lives in a trailer park and drives a 80s Plymouth Horizon!

m-b-w loves his SUBAROO > Alex B
03/01/2015 at 19:59

I'd probably not try driving it, and would maybe even get it towed to the dealer for safety purposes. My father's girlfriend did something similar in her old Veracruz, and the car would swerve on it's own due do some sort of control arm damage.

Alex B > m-b-w loves his SUBAROO
03/01/2015 at 20:30

Oh yeah, it hasn't been driven since what happened. It's been sitting in the garage. We are going to have it towed as far as I know

No Prius Needed > Alex B
03/01/2015 at 20:41

Time to get a P85D.

bhardoin > Alex B
03/01/2015 at 21:24

hmm. tough call.

I worked in a tire shop for a while, and we had a lot of post-accident cars come in for mechanical work that body shops didn't want to do. It shouldn't much matter where you take it, but GET IT ALIGNED WELL. An alignment is going to show exactly what kind of damage you're looking at - there's a good chance suspension pickup points have been crushed in a bit, or that the chassis isn't quite square. If either of these are true, it'll show up in caster readings and toe-link setup, and you can assess from there what to do.

Wherever you take it, the first thing they're going to do is replace parts that are obviously broken, probably tie rod and possibly a control arm looking at this. They should then put it on an alignment rack, and based on that result they may also have to shift the subframe a bit (depends how messed up stuff is, this can sometimes be bad enough that they'll be able to see it before its even on the rack).

If it were out of pocket, I'd just find some reliable shop in town that does mechanical work and alignments. A dealer just sounds like more expense for the same service. I'd only amend that statement if there were electrical bits you're worried about that only a dealer could service.

Good luck to ya.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > Alex B
03/02/2015 at 02:33

As an EV/hybrid certified tech, GO TO THE DEALER OR NISSAN APPROVED BODY SHOP! Also, have it towed.

If there are chafing or exposed wires this could turn into a real bad day for someone. Or even if they don't know how to properly disable the high voltage system. There may be rules and policies you and non-OE level shops are not even aware of. For instance, Mercedes has a policy that all HV batteries must be replaced if the vehicle has been in an airbag deploying accident (or something along those lines, I would have to double check the document). The thinking here is that Li-ion batteries are very dangerous if damaged, and you can't tell if the inside has been damaged (they're not just cells, they have computers and relays inside as well).

Good luck, I hope this goes well for you!

Ilike_cougars > Alex B
03/02/2015 at 14:56

Take it from a guy who has had major suspension work just done on his car.. Dealer..an independent shop will try to cut corners, to maximize his payout..