Second Opinions = Good
Last week I noticed (with the help of some kind strangers) that my driver's side rear tire was wobbling. I checked the lug nuts and found a couple of them to be fairly loose, so I snugged them all up. This helped but it was still wobbling a bit.
The next morning I took it to a local tire shop to see what was up. I wasn't sure if it was a balancing problem, or a bad bearing, or what. That afternoon I got a call from the shop telling me that my axle was bent.
What?
I was told it was a $700-$800 repair. I told them not to do it just yet, and to please lock the key in it so I could pick it up later.
On the drive home I noticed that the wheel was no longer wobbling.
Katy took it to our normal mechanic for a second opinion the next morning. The axle is not bent. The wheel is spinning true. The tire wear is a little funny because of the wobble, but it doesn't need replacing.
I'm not quite ready to call Shop Number One crooks, but I will say their troubleshooting and analysis skills stink.
Comments
I had a similar experience this week... Dealer told me last summer that something in my front suspension needed attention. Goodyear guys who caught my tensioner just before it broke and replaced my battery thought it was 'just' the bearings in left front wheel. Indeed, it was. Job cost me 1/3rd what the suspension diagnosis from the dealer would have. Still lots of pennies, but not 4 digits worth.
Posted by: Meg | October 12, 2005 3:11 PM