DragonTL

Ok, recently I got into a little accident by taking a corner too fast and hitting a curb with my front driver side wheel. My alignment was thrown off and I went to go get it aligned, however the castor could not be put into spec. because it is set by factory, they say. So, I took it to the dealership here in Austin and I asked for an estimate. They told me that both control arms are bent, the left and the right. Is that possible? I know a lot about cars and I am a mechanical engineer so I understand about physics, but that doesn't make sense to me how I could hit one wheel and then the other control arm gets bent. I guess I would just have to look under the car and inspect it myself.
I would suspect that if the force was great enough to bend both of the control arms, then there would be more damage.
ANyway, the service guy quoted me five hundred something dollars for the new alignment and two lower control arms. I know for a fact that I can take it to another shop and have them do the repairs of both control arms for under four hundred. Plus, i recently got the alignment done and it comes with a 90 day warranty, so I can take it back and get it done again for free.
Do you guys think that a reputable dealership would try to rip me off like that? I seriously hope not, but I have a lot of skepticism. When I was talking to the service rep. he didn't sound too confident when i asked him how this could be. He was all stuttering and repeating himself and didn't sound like he knew what he was talking about.
Tell me what you guys think about this and how I should go about taking care of this situation. Thanks guys.

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2000 Satin Silver TL
* AEM SRI (blue)
* Denso Iridium Plugs
* Comptech Headers
* Comptech Springs
* Factory Bodykit
* Type S rims
* Inspire Tails
* Burlwood knob
* Tint

MShah429

Sup DragonTL . .in response to your problem. It does sound fishy. I just bought my TL here in Austin and to be honest with you I dont see why they would lie to you. They were straight up with me about everything. It was by far the best car buying experience I had. However, when they lose money on pricks like me who will not give the dealership even extra penny when buying a car they have to make it up somehwere and so they do in the service department. What I would do if you really want to figure this out is to take it to another shop and have them look at it and see what they say. There is a place on 183 that is a Honda/Acura specialist and they will probebly look at it and do the work for WAY cheaper.

RAdams

Both sides of the front suspension of the car are connected by the steering rack... so it's theoretically possible that the impact from one side could have damaged the other.

Also, I don't think a 90-day alignment warranty covers accidents.

Good luck!

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2000 WDP 3.2TL non-NAV
AEM CAI

DragonTL

Yes, both sides are connected to the steering rack, however, I just talked to a reputable repair shop and I told them about both control arms being bent and they said that it is not possible unless I hit the otherside against a curb or whatever.
The lower control arms are connected to the frame, which would not bend due to the suspension on one side being damaged. They also told me that it sounded fishy about how the dealership says both needed to be replaced.
I found a place that is going to do the work for less than half the cost, by only replacing one control arm. I hope they will do good work. I have taken my car to them before, but I am still worried about a little shop like this one, because this is my baby and I don't want her to be treated improperly.


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2000 Satin Silver TL
* AEM SRI (blue)
* Denso Iridium Plugs
* Comptech Headers
* Comptech Springs
* Factory Bodykit
* Type S rims
* Inspire Tails
* Burlwood knob
* Tint

haha98

I'd definately get a second opinion...and the 90 day thing usually doesn't cover accidents, but if you didn't tell them, then i doubt that they'd know...

DragonTL

exactly....




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2000 Satin Silver TL
* AEM SRI (blue)
* Denso Iridium Plugs
* Comptech Headers
* Comptech Springs
* Factory Bodykit
* Type S rims
* Inspire Tails
* Burlwood knob
* Tint

sutlTL

Whether you buy a new car or service a car at a dealership THEY ALWAYS RIP YOU OFF!! Never believe ANYTHING a salesman tells you and ALWAYS BE CAUTIOUS about taking your car to the dealership for service. If you can do it yourself, you'll be better off!

mr tl

well, i curbed by car a while ago. one tie rod end was bent. obviously im not helping at all, but i thought id share. where is the control arm exactly? wouldnt the sway have bent at all?