Topic: upper contol arms

[kevlounik]

are these suspension components subkect to wear and tear? what does it mean if they both need replacement? bad suspension?

[AVToller]

You really need to supply more information such as the type of car and the mileage. But as to your basic question, yes they are wear items.

[kevlounik]

02 kia sportage, it has about 67 000 on it and they both need replacement it's been driven on for a year with some frame damage

[AVToller]

Ah, THAT car! Frame damage will cause extra wear on suspension parts. That is premature wear under "normal" driving conditions. They still haven't "totalled" the beast? Drat!!! 

[kevlounik]

Yeah, that little truck, I was surprised whenthey told me they were gonna attempt to fix it for a third time, the frame was basically cut and metal was welded on it "to make parts fit properly" thus changing the vehicle specs. The ins. comp. hasn't thought about that, as well as steering components that also show premature wear and tear, now I'm wondering if all of it may be related to the frame being crooked in the first place, I eman we were driving on it for a year, and then some. it wasalso bent behind the right wheel.

[barrie1]

I would certainly assume that all of the problems on this vehicle were caused by the original accident and the lack of proper repair. Yes these are wear items that are wearing out quicker then they should be from the results of the Accident. Your Insurance Co. needs to keep writing more checks until this is either wrote off or repaired properly. 

[tenpenny]

The more I read about this, the more it sounds like a hatchet job being patched up by a moron, after being started by an incomptent dork....ever hear the phrase "throwing good money after bad"?  I'd suggest you contact both the leasing company (the real owner of the vehicle) and the insurance company, and probably your lawyer, too. 

You are being f*&ked over by several people, mostly the insurance company.  You need to make it stop.

[AVToller]

  Tenpenny said what I have been thinking for quite some time, but said it more eloquently. 

[kevlounik]

i couldn't have said it better myself, at this point, they are having trouble finding a garage that it WILLING to fix the damn thing.

[barrie1]

Sounds like the other Garages know how bad this scene has become and know its too far to go with this vehicle. They don't want the liability thats going to come with this as its got to be really right this time or else. This is definitely going to be a Branded Car with the suggested repairs that are needed. The Value is gonna right down and the Insurance Co. better be ready to eat the whole cost of this vehicle. 

[kevlounik]

I am about to lose it with these poeple they are saying that the premature wear on the vehicle is no way related to the accident, after the director looked at the vehicle for 20 minutes, (visual inspection) he determined that the upper control arms were not damaged in the collision and that the premature wear on it is not as a result of the accident, they want to take the rental away tomorrow because I'm apparantly over my limit,, of course unless I get it fixed. ahgrrrr...............

[AVToller]

The control arms probably weren't damaged in the collision. They were worn because the frame was twisted, thus putting abnormal torque on them!!! You are obviously dealing either with idiots or people who think YOU are an idiot. Much as I hate to say this, it certainly sounds like it is time to find a (gulp) lawyer. 

[kevlounik]

how can I prove that??

[tenpenny]

GO SEE A LAWYER.  The insurance companies have them, you need one, too.

You are going to get screwed over big time, unless you have someone on your side.  That much is obvious.

[articsteve]

how can I prove that??

You cannot.  You simply don't have the resources and the insurance company knows it.  Just drive the thing and turn it in at end of lease so no moral obligation issues on reselling it to some poor sucker.  Although some poor sucker will end up with it.