Go ahead and give me the dunce cap (2000 - Rear lateral rod bent)
markag6
05-18-2009, 04:02 PM
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? :sarcasmsign: 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.
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? :sarcasmsign: 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.
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