acura00tl

Okay, so i recently bought a 2000 tl several months ago and it had a salvage title. The body was great and everything was running smoothly until i discovered a few problems i want to have answered.

When i tested the breaks going at about 55 mph on a strip of road and floored the breaks all the way, it squeaked pretty roughly towards the front passenger side (only that side). When i drive normally, however, there seems to be no problems and it drives very smoothely unless i turn a corner sharply or turn onto my driveway, there would be consistent squeaking noises comming from the front right wheel. Checking the wheel well, i saw that the wheel on the right was lowered about 3/4 of an inch more than the left. (my car is not lowered with anything). It also seemed that the wheel itself was pushed towards the rear of the well (having it a bit noticable disalignment). Now that i drive straight, i noticed my steering wheel steers to the right a bit.

I have two theories.
1. The struts need replacement
2. Axle is bent from accident?, since accident occured in the front right by previous owner.

What do you guys think causes this squeaking?

Another thing, the airbag sensor picks up and flashes occasionally when passenger is seated. (fairly odd)
I suspect there to be
1. no passenger airbag was replaced
2. compartment not aligned properly? sensor problem?

help! thanks

JterrorC

iTrader: (1)

idk about the rest..but if your passenger is lighter den id say 95 lbs and he or she moves it will light up YELLOW....also..if the wieght is appropiate for a front seat passenger.....if he or she moves in an odd position the YELLOW light will come on ....signifying not that the srs is bad but that it wont go off only because it could hurt the passenger

what srs light are your gettin...the red or the passenger yellow one?

acura00tl

its the yellow one passenger airbag. Ahh, so it is normal to have lights flash occasionally as passenger tilts like during a turn or something?

hANDYcaptd

iTrader: (5)

^Yup, when they lean over the side airbag or have their arm hanging out of the window.

acura00tl

oh and about my suspension... the rubber bump stop appears to have been ripped apart but hasnt fallen off, theres loose pieces around my strut, would that have anything to do with the squeaking or why it is the way it is? If i choose to replace the struts and try to solve it that way, will i have to buy new rubber bump stops?

ANC297

iTrader: (2)

I would say that the tire being pushed backwards in the wheel well is definitely a bent axle...The car was probably involved in a front end accident on the right side.
The squeaking on the other hand can be something totally different. It can be as small as a bad joint or something.

ANC297

iTrader: (2)

And yeah, I would imagine that the bump stops will have to be replaced.

JterrorC

iTrader: (1)

any pics of the torn pieces you are talking about

acura00tl

actually i dont have any on hand, i will try to take some tomorrow. I've got to jack up my car, that's the only way im able to see it.

acura00tl

So here are the pictures i took when i jacked up my car today...

Left side looks good..




Right side...








comments? suggestions..? lol

ESank

Don't know if this is your problem, but it sounds eerily similar to mine. Check out my last post here:
https://acurazine.com/forums/2g-tl-tires-wheels-suspension-100/3rd-gen-wheels-2nd-gen-tl-729090/

PO left a few bolts loose and it was pushing my wheel backwards into my wheelwell when braking. Correct me if I'm wrong, but if the arm was bent, wouldn't it push the tire towards the front? IDK, just thinking out loud....

ANC297

iTrader: (2)

It all depends on which way the arm is bent. And how bad the contact was that bent it in the first place

acura00tl

well i'm not an expert with axles/suspensions so for anyone who IS... please take a look at the above pictures, the connection between the axle and the wheel itself on the left (good side) compared to the right (bad side). It doesnt take an expert to see that the RIGHT side appears to be bent.

Note: The pictures of the axle is taken from above and behind the tire looking down.

I have no idea what i should do with my axle.. Which piece will i have to replace? the whole axle? the thing that connects the axle to the wheel? ballbearing? Any cost estimates?? I would appreciate it lots..

Also.. I know ill have to replace the struts, so how much will the rubber bumpstops cost? Any information will help!!

TLer trash

I wouldnt worry about the axle yet. Even if it is bent, it wont change the position of the wheel like you've got. Before you start just guessing and buying stuff, have a good frame or collision shop look at it and take measurements if necessary. The most common causes are bent control arms [especially lowers],bent or stretched radius arms, and their attaching points being bent or moved. There will often be misalignment that is over and above what is visible without measurement.

acura00tl

Ok Im back with an estimate guys.

Job01 RIGHT FRONT SUSPENSION DAMAGE Labor: $272.80
__________________________________________________ ________________
REPLACE THE DAMAGED RIGHT FRONT UPPER CONTROL ARM,
STEERING KNUCKLE & LOWER CONTROL ARM.
** Occasionaly with used steering knuckles it is necessry to replace the wheel
bearing. If this becomes necessary we will contact you with the increase in parts &
labor.
__________________________________________________ ________________
GOOD USED RF SUSP. 1.0 @ 250.00 =$ 250.00
__________________________________________________ ________________
Job02 STEERING - INNER TIE RODS Labor: $70.40
__________________________________________________ ________________
REPLACE THE WORN RIGHT FRONT INNER TIE ROD + PRELUBRICATE
THE JOINT TO ENSURE MAXIMUM COMPONENT LONGEVITY.
__________________________________________________ ________________
53010 S84 A01A INNER TIE ROD 1.0 @ 40.39 =$ 40.39
__________________________________________________ ________________
Job03 RIGHT FRONT SUSPENSION Labor: $123.20
__________________________________________________ ________________
* MODIFY THE RIGHT FRONT STRUT ROD & MOUNT TO ENABLE THE
CORRECTION TO THE RIGHT FRONT SUSPENSION SET BACK.
** SPACE THE RIGHT FRONT COIL SPRING TO ACHIEVE PROPER RIDE
HEIGHT SYMMETRY, BOTH SIDE TO SIDE & FRONT TO REAR.
__________________________________________________ ________________
/ COIL SPRING SPACERS 2.0 @ 9.37 =$ 18.74
__________________________________________________ ________________
Job04 1-POSITIONING PROCEDURES Labor: $61.60
__________________________________________________ ________________
PROPERLY POSITION THE FRONT SUSPENSION SUPPORTS TO ENABLE
THE CORRECTION OF THE FRONT SUSPENSION ALIGNMENT
GEOMETRY.
__________________________________________________ ________________
__________________________________________________ ________________
Job05 4-WAY ALIGNMENT -- SPECIALIZED Labor: $146.40
__________________________________________________ ________________
INSPECT THE COMPLETE SUSPENSION AND STEERING SYSTEM AND
PERFORM A SPECIALIZED 4-WAY SUSPENSION ALIGNMENT
PROCEDURE.
****(PLEASE ALLOW US TO INSPECT THE TIRE WEAR PATTERNS EVERY
4000 MILES. NO APPOINTMENT IS NECESSARY, AND THERE IS NO
CHARGE.) THANK YOU!
__________________________________________________ ________________

__________________________________________________ ________________
Estimate Cost Summary
__________________________________________________ ________________
Tax: $95.04
Estimate Total: $1,095.44

Apparently the upper/lower control arms were bent and i would need to replace them with used ones.

Any comments about the estimates? Is this a fair cost to repair the damages?

TLer trash

Get a second opinion. "Modify strut rod and mount" is not the proper way to correct setback. More likely "replace, repair, or straighten subframe/engine cradle. Coil spring spacers on one side to correct ride height? Ahhhhh... NO! My gut feeling is that this thing is twisted bad enough that repairing it properly will be pretty pricey. The shop may have good intentions, like trying to save you some money, but this sounds like a half ass repair to me. I wouldn't be surprised if your best bet is to sell it and start over.

acura00tl

these guys work specifically on suspension and alignment issues (a small shop referred me to it). If this is not the right place to go the only second place i could think of is the acura shop. For a job like this it would probably be reallly expensive though =/

Should i have Acura take a look at it? How much do they charge just to inspect it?

TLer trash

As a start, look in the yellow pages under automobile body repair. Look for wording like ....frame repair, frame straightening, frame alignment, or unibody repair, unibody straightening, etc. An alternative might be a community college auto body program. Typically the students are taught the correct way to do stuff. If they are too busy with student's and relative's projects, the instructors could refer you to a good shop.