Terrifying Tire Wear

So just went to the shop today got the truck all fixed up. Here’s what the issue was: tie rod extensions were way too long causing the tow to come out +2.5 degrees! Simply put that’s not a small mistake or margin of error. I had to get the tie rod extensions cut by 1/4 an inch and the shop was able to put my alignment in proper spec. Over the past year this has in fact caused the lower control arm bushings to blow a month ago, caused the tires to wear so badly and damaged my steering rack because of the repeated use while the toe was so bad. At this point solo was negligent in aligning the truck in shop without equipment and releasing the truck to me without mentioning the toe. I just had my lowers redone by them cause they were rusting beyond belief and they half assed the alignment after which caused this. I will be asking for them to pay for the tires because this was not just a one time deal, this was a problem for a very long time and they knew it was off or else they should close up shop because it was 2.5 degrees off each side! Very disappointed and they even blocked my number from and the shop I was at and we had to call them on a different line while trying to get payment.

 

While they should take some responsibility, maybe you should also know what you’re putting on your truck and that it’s done properly. As in those pics of you didn’t notice that alignment was all fucked up and went and drove two days like that some of it’s your responsibility. Good luck hope you get it all worked out.

 

That's some shit right there.

 

Yeah it’s tough when Bobby keeps on telling you the tie rods are fine. @SoCalTacoTruck had this same issue with his kit and ended up selling his cause he didn’t want to deal. I guess I shouldn’t have trusted Solo to align my truck after replacing the lowers and saying they aligned it. I’m not a mechanical marvel, but I know some stuff and I always felt the alignment was off but I didn’t have the cash to throw away at an another alignment shop just to prove Solo wrong. I don’t like confrontation but they messed up you know. I’m also being nice because I have had a lot more issues from the past with them that I’ve chosen not to discuss cause I still believe mistakes should be forgiven.

 

OP that whole situation is pretty shitty. I hope you manage to recoup at least some of the cost of your tires. The blocking your number thing sounds worth making a call to your better business bureau if they don't do anything for you. Usually they can't do much but it couldn't hurt. It'd be one thing if they made a mistake and owned up to it but it sounds like they knew there was an issue and mislead you about fixing it when they didn't.

Most Boring Suggestion Ever!

 

Lol I hope you’re joking.

 

I do not believe for a second that you couldn’t feel this when you were driving. But glad you got the issue resolved.

 

This just sucks all around. Hopefully they will help out at least some. It sounds like you've given them one too many chances and hopefully you and others in your area will take your business elsewhere. I hate to think that you can't trust "the professionals" for some of the mods and work, and I guess this emphasizes the point to really make sure you know and trust the people you're dealing with. Sucks.

 

All you could really feel was the truck didn’t handle quite as smooth, the truck drive straight and all just odd

 

Good words, while I don’t totally recommend them, they have made things better in the past.

 

Take off solo stuff. Sell it. Buy Total Chaos.

Seriously man, Solo gave me nightmares. Bobby is cool and all, but unless they build your truck from the frame up, it’s nothing but issues from every person I’ve seen (and me!).

 

you said you always felt the alignment was off & you gotta trust that feeling.

i have a 2011 128i and i can feel when it is out of alignment, even slightly, b/c it just doesn't drive 'right' or as 'smoothly' - -
i can detect the tire pressure being off the same way [tmps never worked in this car since i got it at 30K miles. . . ]

i yanked it out of alignment last year, driving on snow and almost getting stuck; it just felt slightly off and there was some steering wheel feel that was 'different'
the 128i is super sensitive for some reason

i also learned my lesson the hard way:

i had something similar happen in my 97 328is - -
i had lowered it so far that it was hard to see the inside tread on the rear tires. . .
& i had it aligned when i put the new tires on
BUT the shop didn't tell me that the ball joints on my control arms were close to being SHOT . . .
net out -
i destroyed the tires ASAP [in a similar pattern as yours] and wound up hydroplaining into a ditch @ 30mph -
took out the cats in the car on a log = only damage = car totaled out b/c OEM cats are $$
i bought the car back with salvage title, took the $$ and fixed her with crap aftermarket cats - - @ put 120K miles on her before she just had to go @ 200K . . i loved that car, it drove insanely well and was a tank - it never complained, never gave me shit. .

the shop shoulda told me about the ball joints, but i should have seen the problem too - i had messed around with the suspension enough..
i had been under there and just missed it..

maybe if you approach them about splitting the damages 50/50, since they blocked you - start at some middle ground and see if they will engage..
otherwise, small claims court - -

now, when i need help fixing my vehicle, i stick to one of a few people i know/trust and i tend to hang out with them while they do whatever
it sucks that you just can't trust people to do their job correctly..

good luck!
& at least nothing ill came from the baldie tires - -

 

You couldn’t get good service from them, I seriously doubt you’re getting cash money for your tires.

I learned this lesson years ago when I mounted tires that were too wide for my car.
And didn’t want to pay to get a proper alignment.
Wasted $400+ on a couple of summer tires.