"cazzyodo" (cazzyodo)
09/26/2016 at 10:00 • Filed to: Helplopnik
2
18|
"cazzyodo" (cazzyodo)
09/26/2016 at 10:00 • Filed to: Helplopnik | 2
| 18 |
My buddy sent me two pictures and a text saying “Don’t have to worry about finding parking tonight! Driving around looking for a spot and the ball joint/axle failed. Glad it wasn’t on the highway. Literally two minutes after exiting.”
So yeah, could have been bad.
He just got an inspection this month and is amazed that it wasn’t caught because these things happen over time, right? I told him that I’ve only had one place jack my car up and check out the wheels so I was curious about the requirements of an actual inspection.
(6) Steering and Suspension. (a) Check for free steering by turning the steering wheel through a full right and left turn. Reject a vehicle if binding or interference occurs during the procedure. With the front wheels in the straight ahead position (and the engine running on vehicles equipped with power steering) measure lash or lost movement at the steering wheel rim. (b) Lash or lost movement on passenger cars and station wagons, as measured at the steering wheel rim, should not exceed two inches if the vehicle is equipped with manual steering. Lash or lost movement on antique motor vehicles will be measured by steering wheel diameter in accordance with the following schedule: Steering Wheel Diameter Lash (shall not exceed) 16 inches 2 inches 18 inches 2¼ inches 20 inches 2½ inches 22 inches 2¾ inches Antique Motor Vehicles Over c turn (c) The front end (each side) of all vehicles will be raised by jacking and visually examined. Vehicles equipped with ball joints will be raised and checked in accordance with the applicable manufacturer’s specifications. (d) Reject a vehicle with excessive wear or play in any part of the steering mechanism or of the vehicle that would affect proper steering. (e) Reject a vehicle with broken, bent or missing shock absorbers or suspension springs.
That’s the language !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! .
Anyone experience this or have some thoughts?
HammerheadFistpunch
> cazzyodo
09/26/2016 at 10:09 |
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Um...What’s the question? Should they have caught this in the inspection? And if yes what’s their liability?
OPPOsaurus WRX
> cazzyodo
09/26/2016 at 10:09 |
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experience: no
thought: that really sux
how much damage?
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cazzyodo
> HammerheadFistpunch
09/26/2016 at 10:13 |
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Oh...yeah...that.
Didn’t finish my thoughts. He’s curious about liability (because he’s afraid of costs and such) whereas I’m curious about whether anyone actually inspects this thoroughly like they’re apparently supposed to. Or what other states require.
He’s interested in costs and I’m just generally curious.
AMGtech - now with more recalls!
> cazzyodo
09/26/2016 at 10:14 |
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Having never missed or been at a shop that missed something like this and had catastrophic failure I have no idea. That being said, sometimes parts will loosen up as they wear, then more or less seize just before they fail. So it is possible there was no play when the inspection was performed. I’m curious to see what others have to say who may have been through something like this.
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cazzyodo
> OPPOsaurus WRX
09/26/2016 at 10:14 |
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Not sure, really. He had it towed to a shop but wasn’t open until today. Gonna see him later tonight, perhaps, so it’s on my list of questions.
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cazzyodo
> AMGtech - now with more recalls!
09/26/2016 at 10:16 |
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See, that’s the thing I’m curious about. I don’t know what the deal is because I’ve had just one place do a thorough exam and I felt it was odd. I didn’t even really realize that it was what SHOULD be done at an inspection because no place had ever done it. For the most part, that kind of stuff is just me trying to pay attention to details...nice to know there’s a legitimate check.
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HammerheadFistpunch
> cazzyodo
09/26/2016 at 10:17 |
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I wish I could help but my states safety inspection is limited to a brake check and a visual once over like “does you has wipers?”
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AMGtech - now with more recalls!
> cazzyodo
09/26/2016 at 10:20 |
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Sounds like you need to find a new shop. A thorough safety inspection literally only take 5 minutes for a competent tech. Every car that comes through my shop gets at least that unless it already came through and had it done within the last 30 days.
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cazzyodo
> HammerheadFistpunch
09/26/2016 at 10:24 |
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That’s the impression I had about MA but clearly I’ve been living a lie.
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cazzyodo
> AMGtech - now with more recalls!
09/26/2016 at 10:25 |
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Not my shop! :P
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AMGtech - now with more recalls!
> cazzyodo
09/26/2016 at 10:28 |
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One other piece of advice I will offer, make sure your friend replaces both ball joints, not just the failed one. Not including whatever else may have been damaged, and do those things in pairs as well.
Dave the car guy , still here
> cazzyodo
09/26/2016 at 10:32 |
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From experience working in a shop , even if it wasn’t showing play when inspected, it HAD to be making some noise at some point. Ignoring a clunk or knock in front end can be catastrophic. BTW ignoring squeal or squeak is just as bad. Have seen a wheel bearing fail to the point that the wheel and CV shaft ripped off with half the steering knuckle. Owner said he had heard “some” noise on the highway. I’m guessing he just turned the radio up louder.
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HammerheadFistpunch
> cazzyodo
09/26/2016 at 10:44 |
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I’m curious how this plays out, this happened to my cousin this weekend.
http://oppositelock.kinja.com/check-your-ball-joints-1787030238#_ga=1.265996683.524909053.1473650502
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cazzyodo
> HammerheadFistpunch
09/26/2016 at 11:24 |
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Looks fun, too.
He has a quote back on repairs which suprised me. Under $100 for the joint, axle and alignment. Curious about more details on what happened under there. Wasn’t at speed either so hopefully nothing and the shop’s quote is the extend, not the minimum.
asenna
> cazzyodo
09/26/2016 at 13:55 |
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and a nail in the tire...top right corner of photo
Tapas
> cazzyodo
09/27/2016 at 02:32 |
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Wow, this second time within the last few days that I’ve heard of ball joints failing like this on Oppo. I’m glad this didn’t happen at 80mph and no one was hurt.
I’m surprised the cost for everything came under $100! Maybe the damage to the axle was not enough to warrant replacement?
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cazzyodo
> Tapas
09/27/2016 at 07:53 |
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Ultimate typo...$1000. just the ball joint apparently would be$350 but the road cause damage to the axle
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Tapas
> cazzyodo
09/28/2016 at 01:21 |
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Oh, that makes more sense. I hope insurance covers it.