usmanasif

HUGE issue...

Went to Nissan for an alignment today and instead the guy handed me an $1,100 estimate for damaged control arms L/R ($188 ea. dealer item), sway bar links, and balljoints. All parts come to roughly $750, plus $300 labor and the rest alignment charge. Needless to say, I politely refused and walked out.

That said, I do have some play in my steering wheel. I had posted a thread on that way back in January. That had happened the moment I drove off after having a new axle put in on the driver's side (last owner had the wrong kind in there). Steering wheel was quite wobbly at first, but in a week or so, it settled down and now only wobbles a little when straightening out after making a turn. Everything else is fine. The car drives very well and stable on the highway.

I am leaving on a 1600 mile trip to Denver in a week, but will be out of town until bye-bye time and just do not have the time to get it fixed by my mechanic. What is your advice? I need to hear from those who know exactly what I'm talking about (Matt, Shawn, Brian, Mike, Jeff etc.....are you listening?). But I will appreciate any help I can get. I am between a rock and a hard place. What to do? The last thing I want is to slide off the highway doing 75. Thanks guys!

usmanasif

Guys...I could REALLY use some major help here.....Thanks.

djmorgan1

I just had a bunch of work done, including ball joints, struts, etc. How much wobble do you have with the wheels off the ground? Are we talking frightening, or just loose? As a general rule, if if it ain't THAT bad, it can make it. There are ghetto cars that make it farther all the time. That said, be prepared to sacrifice some handling precision and tire wear. But if it doesn't seem THAT bad to you, it can probably wait. I certainly wouldn't pay that much to the dealer. Hope this helps.

usmanasif

Thanks dude! I really appreciate it. You are right...no one should ever pay that much to ANY dealership. Such quotes make blinker fluid sound like a legitimate product!

No, the play isn't much at all. Like I said, it only wobbles a little when I turn...nothing else to speak of, really. Tomorrow morning, I am taking it to my trusted mechanic to have it looked it. I am hoping I can buy some time and that it gets me to Denver in one piece....

shavedmax

iTrader: (6)

dealer prices are high, as always, but you can get the bushings pressed into the control arms.ball joints you can get aftermerket cheaper, sway bar liks i think have to be oem. i did the drivers side arm to my car this week and there is a big differance in handling. if you can feel it it's probably as bad as mine, and if you're going on a 1600 mile trip in the maxima, get it fixed before you go.

90SEBlack

I would personally jack each side up and grab the wheel on each side and try to move it side to side then grab it top and bottom and try to wiggle it back and forth if thee is any more than 1/4 - 1/2 inch of play I wouldnt bother taking the trip cuz ur gunna fry ur tires in like 400- 500 miles, I know from expierence i had the same problem and after about 150 highway miles at 85mph the front tires began to wonder on the road like they were under there own control after 500 miles the right front tire was almost bald and it had been 90% tread when I left. I would say the chances of your wheel falling off or u loosing all control of your car are 1 in a million but u may blow a tire. And the hole control arm shouldnt be messed it would take a rather large pothole to reck a control arm its probably the bushing and that bushing isnt a dealer part so they replace the hole arm. Get the bushing from interautometer it isnt that hard to replace. Hell get the ball joint there 2 as u prolly wont beat those prices

internetautomar

iTrader: (30)

you can buy the complete control arms with ball joints and bushings already installed for 87.50 each plus shipping

usmanasif

Holy $H!T ! Brian, once agin, u da man! Nissan quoted me $188 a piece for the arms alone. I called all over town and everyone told me that these are strictly a dealer part. After I visit my mechanic today, I will PM you sometime later this afternoon if I need them. But I will have to have them here by next Wednesday. Is that possible?

Juan and others, thanks for your help as always!

internetautomar

iTrader: (30)

That shouldn't be a problem, I'll probably just get em shipped from my warehouse instead of from my stock.

bvtran

iTrader: (3)

LOL.

Brian, the internetautomart dude sells both control arms (L & R) + the default bushings for $16X. He even sells an ST Sway Bars kits for both front and rear with ES bushings for only $250.

Pepboys sells both sides balljoints for only a shy $50 smackarodies.

Just do the math......I am sure you need extra beer moneys, so think carefully.

internetautomar

iTrader: (30)

the control arms also come with the ball joints.
the BJs are also available seperately.