Uneven Tire Wear

xero91 · #1 03-06-2005, 10:33 PM

I know that no one will be able to tell whats causing this problem without examining the vehicle but I need some direction. I was in a front-end accident, went sliding on some black ice and hit a tree. I had what I thought was a good body shop do the work. After the body work about 2 months after I noticed my front passanger tire was down to the steel braiding on the inside 1" of the passenger tire and the driver side was bad but not to the braiding. I brought it to chevy and they stated it was the idler arm and lower ball joints that were causing the problem. They replaced the idler arm and such and I got 2 new tires and an alignment. Soon after, these tires wore in the same fashion. I brought it to another mechanic and his first reaction was that the body shop didnt bench and square the car perfectly. He stated the passenger strut was billed in at the frame rail. I don't really have any idea what that means. I brought it to the body shop and they benched and squared the car. I then proceeded to get 2 new tires in the front and an alignment. Well this was about 3-4 months ago and now I am noticing that its still wearing unevenly but very slightly. I can barely tell visually. What should I do at this point?

Thanks

Officer Redneck · #2 03-07-2005, 12:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xero91

I know that no one will be able to tell whats causing this problem without examining the vehicle but I need some direction. I was in a front-end accident, went sliding on some black ice and hit a tree. I had what I thought was a good body shop do the work. After the body work about 2 months after I noticed my front passanger tire was down to the steel braiding on the inside 1" of the passenger tire and the driver side was bad but not to the braiding. I brought it to chevy and they stated it was the idler arm and lower ball joints that were causing the problem. They replaced the idler arm and such and I got 2 new tires and an alignment. Soon after, these tires wore in the same fashion. I brought it to another mechanic and his first reaction was that the body shop didnt bench and square the car perfectly. He stated the passenger strut was billed in at the frame rail. I don't really have any idea what that means. I brought it to the body shop and they benched and squared the car. I then proceeded to get 2 new tires in the front and an alignment. Well this was about 3-4 months ago and now I am noticing that its still wearing unevenly but very slightly. I can barely tell visually. What should I do at this point?

Thanks

Welcome to the forum. If you are only seeing a very slight wear in the tires over a 3-4 month period, I wouldn't worry. Every Blazer i've seen wears the tires in the front unevenly a little. That's why you rotate them once in a while. I do mine every other oil change (6,000 miles) and the fronts will staighten out when moved to the back. BlazerLT will probable say i'm wrong but this has worked for me. If he does, believe him he knows what he's talking about.

rlith · #3 03-07-2005, 06:20 AM

The first thing I thought of when I started reading your message was the frame was still farked. After seeing what your mechanic said, I'll say it's definatly farked.

At this point you need to take it to another body shop... Have them throw it on their frame machine and measure it and explain to them what is happening. The insurance company is REQUIRED BY LAW to pony up the funds to have it fixed correctly. If they refuse you can sue them...

xero91 · #4 03-07-2005, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rlith

The first thing I thought of when I started reading your message was the frame was still farked. After seeing what your mechanic said, I'll say it's definatly farked.

At this point you need to take it to another body shop... Have them throw it on their frame machine and measure it and explain to them what is happening. The insurance company is REQUIRED BY LAW to pony up the funds to have it fixed correctly. If they refuse you can sue them...

Thanks rlith. I wasn't aware I could bring it to another body shop and have it still covered under the original claim. Only problem is that I am no longer with that same insurance company. You think that'll be a problem?

Is it possible they didnt square the frame up the first time and that it would need to be done again?

What about the previous reply to this post by redneck tech. His post seems valid since its been over 6k miles since I had the new tires put on and aligned (after the body shop benched and squared the frame). Is this a common problem considering the tire doesnt seem to be wearing that fast.

rlith · #5 03-07-2005, 05:36 PM

Doesn't matter, the original insurance company will have to pay out (if needed, threaten with a lawyer) Yeah, sounds like they didn't do the frame properly and it will need to be redone

xero91 · #6 03-07-2005, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rlith

Doesn't matter, the original insurance company will have to pay out (if needed, threaten with a lawyer) Yeah, sounds like they didn't do the frame properly and it will need to be redone

Haha, It just so happens I have a lawyer in the immediate family. Im going to be bringing this to the body shop sometime next week. Thanks again for your time.

rlith · #7 03-07-2005, 05:59 PM

no prob
Good luck, and let us know how it turns out!

dmbrisket 51 · #8 03-07-2005, 06:15 PM

from what ive seen and heard, once the frame has bent, even a little bit, unfortunetly you will never get it perfectly squair again, i could be way wrong, but if this is true, theres nothing you can do... except buy a new one

rlith · #9 03-07-2005, 06:17 PM

my 1st gen frame was bent up pretty bad, they used a laser system to realign it... never had a problem with it (until the old man ran a stop sign and tboned me and totaled the truck)

xero91 · #10 03-08-2005, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rlith

my 1st gen frame was bent up pretty bad, they used a laser system to realign it... never had a problem with it (until the old man ran a stop sign and tboned me and totaled the truck)

Should I bring it to a shop that offers this same service? What should I tell them when I contact the body shops? Does anyone have any trustworthy body shops in the New York / Long Island area?

rlith · #11 03-08-2005, 12:10 PM

Call around a find out who does laser frame alignment...Not saying a regular chain system can't achieve the same thing though... As to who is reputable, talk to the local garages in your area... Typically they will hear anything that's wrong..

xero91 · #12 03-08-2005, 07:34 PM

Thanks for the info. I'll let you know how this turns out.

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