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Well, I was going to work last night from the trans group Christmas dinner when a massive snow storm hit. I thought I was doing pretty well when disaster hit - the car in front of me span out of control, ending up sideways across two lanes of traffic. At this point I felt like I had three options: I could aim for the concrete barrier to the right of me, the raised island to the left of me, or I could just hit the breaks and hope. I touched the breaks, knew I was going to slide, and so aimed for the island. I managed to bring my car to a stop a couple of feet from his car, so whew there, but after I got going again, I could feel a bit of a shudder through the steering wheel. I am not sure how I can afford to fix it, so pray for me, okay?
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bent rim
sounds like a bent rim $10 scrap yard fix.
Well, having worked in...
and from currently going to school to be a professional auto-mechanic, I'd have to say that it could be a few different things. Tels is right, if you have basic steel wheels on your car and they are bent, it shouldn't be any more that $10 - $15 to get a replacement wheel. Alloy wheels are going to cost more, obviously.
Another thing that might have gone wrong is something along the steering system (tie rods, c-v joints, upper/lower control arms, etc., etc.). Best bet, in my honest opinion, would be to take it to a private mechanic and have them look at it. It may cost more, but it should cost less than what it would at the dealership.
Also, the brand will have a lot to do with how much the cost totals up to. For example, a BMW 5 series would be outragiously more expensive than, say, a Chevy Astro or Aveo.
**Edit** Forgot to mention. If you take it to a private mechanic, ask if you can suply the parts yourself. I've found it to be a fifty-fifty chance that they will. If they do, save youself some money and take tels' advice on the scrap yard. Perfectly good parts that are much less expensive because they're already broken in for you is how I've always look at those places. X-P
Peace be with you and Blessed be
Peace be with you and Blessed be
giggle
"but after I got going again, I could feel a bit of a shudder through the steering wheel."
Wheel wobble and causes:
1) steering wheel wobbles only on deceleration but not on acceleration - loose suspension components.
2) steering wheel wobbles only while turning a corner - bad cv joint.
3) steering wheel wobbles on acceleration, deceleration and at a specific speed - bent rim, bad tire, ice or mud buildup in rim.
A further concern after a very hard hit with rim is Bent suspension components. Normal low speed hits do not bend most suspension components.
KISS Keep It Simple Stupid - chance tire and rim on side that hit embankment with spare tire (if you have one) if its gone you know the problem.
Might just be...
...front wheel tracking. Easy fix.
Ya know...
My old man is a huge fan of that acronym, but I've only ever heard it from him before now.
Peace be with you and Blessed be
Peace be with you and Blessed be