Help! Cant turn wheel, axel broke maybe? Ball joints just replaced too!
03-09-09, 12:53 AM
#1
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Help! Cant turn wheel, axel broke maybe? Ball joints just replaced too!
hi everyone! well heres my story, this just happened about 2 hours ago too!
i was driving back to my apartment with some friends on the free way and i hit this giant pothole which i totally didnt see because it was dark and i was driving pretty carelessly trying to get back to the apartment asap.
so as soon as i hit the pot hole my steering wheel came loose kinda and it was turned about 45 degrees to the left but the car was still moving straight. i was kinda scared but it was driving fine still so i continued on driving with the steering wheel completely outta place. hoping i can fix it by just an alignment the next day.
wheel as soon as i got off the freeway i continued to drive fine until i had to make a 90 degree right turn and the wheel just completely stopped moving. the steering wheel became loose as if it couldnt control the left front wheel.
now i cant turn the front left wheel at all. when i turn the right wheel turns but not the left. so the car right now is parked on the street waiting for a tow tommorow.
im not sure what the problem is exactly. my friend thinks its the axel and another guy thinks its my suspension, but when i drove it on the street to park it was grinding on something and we coudlnt see because of the dark.
note that i also changed my lower ball joints about a month ago too so i dont know if thats the case or maybe the people installed it wrong?
what do you guys think it is and what should i do? if it is the ball joints wouldnt the shop that did it be the ones who pay for the damages and even potentially more since it could of gotten really bad on the free way. thank god my friends and i were safe and unharmed.
any input is greatly appreciated thanks!
i was driving back to my apartment with some friends on the free way and i hit this giant pothole which i totally didnt see because it was dark and i was driving pretty carelessly trying to get back to the apartment asap.
so as soon as i hit the pot hole my steering wheel came loose kinda and it was turned about 45 degrees to the left but the car was still moving straight. i was kinda scared but it was driving fine still so i continued on driving with the steering wheel completely outta place. hoping i can fix it by just an alignment the next day.
wheel as soon as i got off the freeway i continued to drive fine until i had to make a 90 degree right turn and the wheel just completely stopped moving. the steering wheel became loose as if it couldnt control the left front wheel.
now i cant turn the front left wheel at all. when i turn the right wheel turns but not the left. so the car right now is parked on the street waiting for a tow tommorow.
im not sure what the problem is exactly. my friend thinks its the axel and another guy thinks its my suspension, but when i drove it on the street to park it was grinding on something and we coudlnt see because of the dark.
note that i also changed my lower ball joints about a month ago too so i dont know if thats the case or maybe the people installed it wrong?
what do you guys think it is and what should i do? if it is the ball joints wouldnt the shop that did it be the ones who pay for the damages and even potentially more since it could of gotten really bad on the free way. thank god my friends and i were safe and unharmed.
any input is greatly appreciated thanks!
03-09-09, 01:00 AM
#2
Its not the balljoint. Its probably the tie rod. They're about $90/pair. Get them installed before getting an alignment Our cars dont have front axles.
If it was your balljoint, your car wouldn't be able to move because the wheel would be saying Hi to your fender.
If it was your balljoint, your car wouldn't be able to move because the wheel would be saying Hi to your fender.
03-09-09, 09:22 AM
#3
.Andy
03-09-09, 10:13 AM
#4
Might be a good time to get on your hands and knees and give it a look. The damage should be pretty obvious once you lay your eyes on the area. If its the tie rods, it will be handing because it is broken, or it will be majorly bent. ***** joints like GSteg said is unlikely because your fender would be resting on the tire itself if it snapped. Either way, if you take a look you should be able to see the damage.
03-09-09, 02:48 PM
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anybody know if insurance might cover this? i did yahoo answers and some people said it is considered collision and if i have that coverage i should be fine. any can confirm this?
03-09-09, 06:15 PM
#7
Lexus Champion
For a pothole, you usually have to deal with the City and file a complaint.. most people don't go that far and just pay for the damage themselves unless it's very severe... but then again, most people just may break the tires... I broke 2 OEM rims though.... but I just replaced the rims since they are snow sets anyways....
