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Topic
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First, I am a female and a teacher and know little about cars, but I had a scare yesterday and am looking to understand better. I have a 2009 Suzuki Grand Vitara JLX 4WD sold in Canada. End of February, I had my engine coolant changed, as per the suggested 150K, by a mechanic I have been going to for over 5 years. End of March, I notice fan is running and temp is high. I top up coolant to get to a different mechanic (suzuki service) and they inform me that my block has a leak. After careful consideration, I pay the $5K to get it fixed. I pick it up yesterday, run a few errands in town and drive home. I heard a couple of clunks while running errands, so took a few more turns before heading home. Make it down the hwy, but as I pull into my driveway….this happened (see attached photos, my tire came off). I called the dealership and they sent a tow truck and loaner car BUT I have questions and concerns.
I want to know if the tires were removed to install the new engine? Is this something that they should have caught? Something that should have happened? It has caused damage to my front fender…what about the rest of my wheel components and axle etc.. and now I am worried about driving the vehicle and if they are going to fix it right. What questions should I ask them when they call me on Monday. I appreciate any opinions.
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Most cars need to have the sub frame taking down when the engine is removed. Some cases the ball joints have to be removed from the wheel hub. Thrres a chance you’ll need new ones. Not typically the mechanics fault. I’ve removed tie rods and ball joints to get to other parts and had issues putting them back. They should have told you that you need new components. Looking at your picture it looks like you lost the bolt that holds the ball joint on. Maybe they forgot the cotter pin thst goes on top of the bolt as a safety. Let me know what the garage you had the car towed to says.
The first picture says it all, somebody forgot the nut that holds the lower control arm at the ball joint. Put the nut on, send the vehicle to the body shop and most likely good to go. Embarrassing error that could have been deadly.
Keep an eye on the pavement where you park. It isn’t unusual for a leak or two to appear after this much work. If so take it back and have it or them fixed.
With Barney here. The ball joint is intact and either the nut wasn’t put on or the cotter pin to lock it wasn’t. Likely will need a spindle too. When the joint is mashing around in there it damages the machined taper that it needs to hold correctly. It was a stupid and careless oversight that came back to bite the shop.
That said, I am glad that you were not hurt and we are all human. I wouldn’t look at this shop as completely incompetent as mistakes can happen to the best of us. Lets see how they choose to handle this. If they have integrity they will own their mistake and be sure you are taken care of with this.
I’ve gotten in a hurry and overlooked things that have come back to haunt me before. Everyone who does this job has too.
Check out Eric’s vid on this very subject.
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