markag6

Go ahead and give me the dunce cap.

Yesterday I performed a tire rotation on my malibu because my front tires were wearing out much quicker than my backs (that can't be because of my heavy right foot? Well...)
So during the rotation, I jacked the car up and put it on jack stands. Well apparently the rear lateral rod in the back suspension isn't a good place to put a jack stand. The rotation went smoothly, but when I went to drive my car the steering wheel was pointing about 10 degrees to the left while driving straight. Also, whenever I would go over bumps, the rear end felt like it wanted to jump sideways (front wheel drive cars shouldn't do that).

I figure that I just needed an alignment because I've never had my car aligned and this was the first time I rotated the tires on this car. I know that tire rotations don't require a re-align, but it was obvious that something had changed. I had to drive 130 miles back to school yesterday evening because summer classes started today. So I make the drive with no issues. I call the local GM dealer here today to schedule an appointment for a realignment and the hazard switch replacement (recall on 2000 malibu). I'm due to bring the car in tomorrow for that.

About an hour after I make the appointment I need to run out for class. I notice that my rear wheel just looks different. So I look under the car and realize that I bent the rear lateral rods on the rear suspension. The driver side rod is bent a good amount, the passenger is only bent a little. I guess I deserve the dunce cap for putting the jack stands under those. Apparently they are not as strong as they look from under the car.

Now I'm wondering if I should call the dealer back and let them know of the bent rods or just tell them when I go in tomorrow. I don't know if that is something they will need to replace, or if they can just straighten them out in the alignment. I guess I'll find out. Hopefully it isn't too expensive.