Dealer smashed into a curb. What do I need to check

Glad the issue was found. Let us know how the fix goes.

 

I will add for anyone in Charleston that needs service Glenn at Lextech is awesome. He found the problem, listened to my concerns, and charged me nothing for the inspection. I have used him before with my Land Cruiser and have been very happy.

 

Hooray! At least someone is having a good day!

 

Handled very nicely, IMO. Kept forum informed and recommended a good resource. Glad it worked out.

 

The dealer missed it because they did a half assed half hearted inspection with the managers' blessing. Glad you were able to get the problem diagnosed properly and hope things go well at the dealer when the repair is done.

 

Sad but true... They will claim warranty and don't learn anything, thereby not change anything in the future.
That being said, I am glad it is working out good OP.

 

Still document all this and send to Toyota Corporate...

 

Wow. Just wow.

 

I would have had a coronary on the spot, recovered, wrung the neck of the person driving it to the service bay and gone straight into the service desk for an explanation.

Then I would of had it towed to my alignment and tire guy, had them diagnose, towed again to a different dealer and again diagnose, and then tow it back to there lot with the tow bill on the dash.

Sometimes people think they can push around the little guy; they haven't tried pushing around my tow truck driver.

 

I'll second the Lextech. My son uses them for his Prius and 4 Runner. From him he says they are awsome to deal with and give better prices than most.

 

" Lower control arm.

I'm not sure how the dealer missed this in their thorough inspection."

Post #20 page #1, most common problem with curb hit like that, total push back, make sure the frame didn't get tweaked a bit, it can cause all sorts of alignment issues if it indents slightly where it took the backwards stress (back lower A-arm bushing)...just sayin' you had to go to all this trouble, make sure it is fixed right...

Sounds like the dealer tried to Band-Aid this one, always comes back to bite...

 

Thanks. I will make sure I am allowed to inspect everything while it is apart.

 

Steering was locked when they hit the curb, over stressed the LCA and it failed... humorous the dealer's tech couldn't come to that conclusion upon inspection. That's embarrassing on their end, showcases their lack of ability

 

I would have taken pics of the idiot and started there , at least have proof of who the moron was that drove it into the curb . Never should have left - this should have been addressed before the vehicle was ever moved , now you are at their mercy . I would definitely get Toyota involved , stop screwing around before they decide to wash their hands of you - need to be proactive here to avoid being taken for a fool . If some idiot did that to my vehicle they'd pay in blood , no excuse ever for that behavior .

I would have a second shop laser check it - such as a collision expert shop that does frame work . If it's off - it will never drive correctly and just eat tires/bearings .
Sarge

 

I figure I will update this.

I dropped the truck off Sunday afternoon as agreed upon. The truck was supposed to be ready Monday afternoon. I waited until 5pm Monday and called and my truck was "still being worked on." This morning I receive a call and apparently the parts were not ordered last week after I spoke with the service manager. Now I am being told the lower control arm is on back-order with an expected wait of at least 3 weeks. I have spoken with another dealer's parts department that I frequently order from and was told it would likely be even longer.

Now I have a truck that I can't really drive because I do not want to destroy the tires, plus it drives like crap. I have now wasted 5 hours the first day, another 4-5 hours taking it back for inspection, another hour getting it inspected by a competent independent shop, another hour dropping the truck off, and again today another hour to go pick it up. This has now also cost be two 1/2 days at work dealing with this.

I've been driving my Land Cruiser the last few days but will be pushing for a rental today. I am sure that will be a fight since I really need a truck.

 

Lesson learned: always ask (don't assume) if the parts are actually on site BEFORE repair work begins. Take this from someone that worked at a car dealership service department.

 

This is simply astounding.

 

Time to request a loaner truck...

Howard

 

11 days of this dealership dragging their feet and more days left to go waiting for parts.

Mooker, I feel for you bud. This saga is incredible.