Advice needed; ball joint and drive axle broke, shops fault?

kinkyllama · Post by **kinkyllama** » Sun Jan 14, 2007 8:30 pm

Well not long ago I had a motor mount break (my fault actually) and the engine fell and broke the drive axle. I had trouble finding a new drive axle so we repaired mine...less than 7k miles later and only 1hr on the track (not even driving 100%) it snapped again. The shop that repaired the drive axle swore there was no possible way for it to break without me doing something really wrong, but they agreed to fix it free this time only. They repaired it and the other shop (the one that I trust) installed it. Less than 100 miles later going around a left hand turn slowly at normal rpms with little gas the front left wheel (the side the drive axle was replaced) locked up in my fender ripping it all apart, including my front bumper and tire. After getting out and looking at it the ball joint wasn't connected and the drive axle snapped again. Do you think this is the shops fault? Like they installed it wrong or didn't tighten the ball joint or do you think it’s a just a freak mishap? I need to know before I come down hard on the shop expecting my problems to be fixed.

A new drive axle including labor is nearly $500, plus a new tire (it’s probably pretty chewed up) $120, front bumper, fender, $170 for the tow truck(Triple A wont tow me anymore--long story), and whatever else. Luckily WhiteRaven and I will start working on a R34 kit this coming week and were going to do some work to the fenders so that parts not a huge loss, though I won't tell the shop that. What do you think they shop should do for me if it is there fault? I don’t know if I even want them to work on it....I mean if this had happened on the freeway or anywhere else I would have probably died. I had my sticky track tires on and when that wheel got stuck in the fender and locked up the car came to a quick halt.

Also I took good pictures before anyone touched it....since the wheel was so messed up with the fender to get it on the tow truck caused even more damage to the front bumper and fender but there was no other way. Btw, it didnt seam clear enough...the shop I trusted installed the parts and another shop just repaired the drive axle.

Thanks for the input,
Danny

Audacity Racing · Post by **Audacity Racing** » Mon Jan 15, 2007 1:57 am

I think it's a good oppertunity to upgrade to some race axles. Contact "Taylor Race Engineering" for drive axles. They specialize in motorsports axles of all osrts and can deliver exactly what you're looking for...

BTW, a non-connected ball-joint is clearly the fault of the company who installed your stuff...

Post by **PrecisionBoost** » Mon Jan 15, 2007 5:08 am

I'd go back to the shop that installed it (since it's most likely a bad install on the ball joint) and see what they are willing to do for you.

I wouldn't come down hard on them right away.... if someone does that to me... I tell them where to shove it.

If your nice about it and say that a mechanic you know thinks it was most likely caused by incorrect installation they might just offer to fix everything.

If they don't.... that's when you step in with the sledge hammer and ask for information such as the mechanics "ticket" or certifications.

If the guy who fixed it wasn't a mechanic.... you have them by the balls as a certified mechanic should be required at a shop like this.

Anyways........ start off easy and add pressure if they refuse to help.

Hey Kenny..... how much do you think Taylor Race Engineering would charge for a set of drive axles???

I realize horsepower will probably be a factor in price..... I'm thinking 300whp for the small projects and then 1000whp for capacity on the big 2.2L project ( all sets are for the Lanos/lemans chassis )

Audacity Racing · Post by **Audacity Racing** » Mon Jan 15, 2007 5:13 am

Price... depends on what you're looking for specifically. You could probably walk out with a set engineered for under 500 with each additional set being like 200 a piece, but I can't really post on prices for them (because I don't know their current fees or market value for your materials of choice).

For my original 1.6L, the 4130 set was just under 800 dollars, good to 1000hp and 1000ft*lb

You ought to look at swapping to tripods for that too...

kinkyllama · Post by **kinkyllama** » Mon Jan 15, 2007 3:30 pm

Well it's in my Dads hands, I have class all day and we don't wanna wait till tomorrow. I'll talk to him and let him know what you guys told me.

Thanks...I'll let you all know how it goes.

mcewanslager2k2 · Post by **mcewanslager2k2** » Mon Jan 15, 2007 4:51 pm

Hey kinkyllama
GsiTurbo told me to ask you where to get a quick gear shifter for a lanos?

Cheers

Andy

kinkyllama · Post by **kinkyllama** » Mon Jan 15, 2007 7:42 pm

mcewanslager2k2 wrote:Hey kinkyllama
GsiTurbo told me to ask you where to get a quick gear shifter for a lanos?

Cheers

Andy

PM sent

kinkyllama · Post by **kinkyllama** » Mon Jan 15, 2007 9:43 pm

Audacity Racing wrote:Price... depends on what you're looking for specifically. You could probably walk out with a set engineered for under 500 with each additional set being like 200 a piece, but I can't really post on prices for them (because I don't know their current fees or market value for your materials of choice).

For my original 1.6L, the 4130 set was just under 800 dollars, good to 1000hp and 1000ft*lb

You ought to look at swapping to tripods for that too...

wow that doesnt seam expensive at all. Dealer qouted me around $350 for a left side drive axle alone.

Well the shops going to fix everything and I'm going to look into getting some new drive axles made for the near future.

kinkyllama · Post by **kinkyllama** » Wed Jan 17, 2007 10:55 pm

Well they fixed everything for free, was extreamly helpful and even paid for towing fees, including the drivers tip.

daewoomofo · Post by **daewoomofo** » Wed Jan 17, 2007 11:41 pm

sucks that it happened, but you cant complain with that service. glad its fixed

exist3nce · Post by **exist3nce** » Fri Jan 19, 2007 5:17 pm

damnn I would have been really pissed if that happened to me! Can we see any of the pics of when it broke? I'm trying to picture what you are describing but pics would really help. At least you lucked out with the shop fixing everything.

kinkyllama · Post by **kinkyllama** » Fri Jan 19, 2007 7:01 pm

exist3nce wrote:damnn I would have been really pissed if that happened to me! Can we see any of the pics of when it broke? I'm trying to picture what you are describing but pics would really help. At least you lucked out with the shop fixing everything.

Its all on my moms camra so maybe...I dont know where hers it, or how to work it though right now

Post by **PrecisionBoost** » Sat Jan 20, 2007 12:59 am

Glad to hear they replaced everything...... look at it from their perspective.... paying out for repairs is cheaper than hiring a lawyer to defend them in a small claims court.

kinkyllama · Post by **kinkyllama** » Sat Jan 20, 2007 5:53 pm

chris@PrecisionBoost wrote:Glad to hear they replaced everything...... look at it from their perspective.... paying out for repairs is cheaper than hiring a lawyer to defend them in a small claims court.

Oh I know, You just never know what people might do when bad things start happening and in my current situation (trying to get all these things done to my car) this could have been a HUGE set back.

Thanks for the advice!
Danny