I'm Fecked

[BigDaddy13440]

When I torqued down the lugnuts with socket (the guy with the jack just happened to have one that would fit my splined nuts), I checked the opposite side... just so happened that ALL SIX of the nuts on that side were also loose, I was able to hand-tighten them almost 1/2 a turn each, BEFORE using my weight and standing on the breaker bar to tighten them down.

My wife works for an insurance company, said she's typed up a bunch of reports/claims with this happening.... told me to go in, and ask for their insurance company info before I say anything else, and see what they want to offer me to avoid a claim.

Whatcha think?

---------- Post added at 08:22 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:15 PM ----------

wth. Whos fault is this now? youve had some bad luck with this thing.

The bad luck has basically been the ineptitude of anyone to actually get the alignment correct. If anyone had ever said "let's get everything fresh, and install it all so that there's no issues with worn parts", I'd have done it 2 years ago. Instead, it was always "replace the lower BJ's", the "tie rods have play", or my favorite, "the tires are too big for this vehicle (only 285's), and we can't do the alignment". It's been a domino effect for the last year, one thing wrong affects something else, which affects something else, and so on.

I know I can do brakes, replace most parts if I know what's wrong, have even swapped out 1/2 ton and put in 3/4 ton and 1 ton rear ends in my older Suburban. Also yanked the 4.3 out of my old Blazer, and swapped that without help. I know more than the average schmuck, and I hate it when someone tries to snow me, y'know?

 

[SunlitComet]

Consider yourself lucky.

 

[BigDaddy13440]

Consider yourself lucky.

I know. Had I been doing 60-70mph when it happened....


Took it back to the shop, owner apologized profusely, asked the tech who worked on it why they weren't torqued down. Tech said he did, and put the splined key in the back seat (we found it after folding up the seats), but got pissed off that he was being blamed and left - dunno if he quit or just left for the day.

Owner asked what I'd consider fair to compensate me for the trouble. I asked if he'd put my new tires on and balance them, and check everything for any damage. As nobody was hurt and I didn't have to pay for a tow service, figured that was cool, and he said no problem.

No damage whatsoever, the castle nut was the only thing that even touched the blacktop, and the nut won. Took a wire brush and cleaned all the asphalt from it, the cotter pin is even fine. The owner told me to drive it with the new tires on, make sure everything is fine, and bring it back for readjustment if it needs it.

Gotta admit, he was courteous and professional, up front about everything, and didn't make excuses. Told me my front brakes were actually OK for another 10-15K, but my back brakes needed done (which I knew) - told me he'd work with me if I wanted them to do the brakes, too.

 

[SunlitComet]

I would hope they would also inspect and test the torque wrench used just in case it has a problem.

 

[BigDaddy13440]

The shop torqued down the wheels twice, made sure they were on spec. Of course, after I drove about 50 miles, I used a breaker bar and snugged them up another 1/8 of a turn...

Driven about 180 miles on them since, they haven't loosened up, so I think all is good.

EXCEPT.... I noticed my truck is leaning to the driver's side. I know we've all discussed broken springs, but I checked mine, and all the leaves are fine. What I found tho.... the rear shackle hanger has almost torn in two, and has stretched almost 3/4". The weight of the truck is practically resting on the bolt on the frame side, as the outer part of the "J" ripped off clean.

My buddy is getting me the shackle hanger on Monday, having it repaired on Tuesday. Going to have the shop put it back up on the alignment rack, as it's got a slight pull to the left (after losing the wheel).
Also going to have them put on a new rear diff cover (mine is leaking), and put new shocks in the rear.

It's running strong, hauls everything I need it to for work, and I'm getting close to 16mpg now (running 92/93 octane). I'd rather put $500 into it every 5-6 months than shell out $300+ a month for a payment on something that isn't exactly what I want.

 

[rabbiporkchop]

Knew my alignment to be messed up, took it to the "best" shop in the area to have them do their magic. What I learned....

Upper control arms should be replaced, at least the bushings and hardware kits.
Lower ball joints are shot (just replaced them in December!).
Inner tie rod ends need replacing (did the outers in December).
Pitman and idler arms are shot (again, December).
Steering gearbox has play. may not be able to be tighten it up.
Need pads and rotors on the front, rear brakes are close to the end.

And.... ******* assholes at Sears tried to align it a month ago, never told me all my shit was ****** up.... and never fully tightened the front bolt on the upper control arm on the passenger side! I could push the mount in and out over 1/4" by hand!

I guess it's time for a solid axle swap. (I'm just waiting for my wifes 99 hoe to fall apart so I can redo hers like mine)