Hello,
I need help with the direction to take my car ('98 Altima GXE).
I hit a curb- and the alignment is way off. I need to turn the steering wheel about 30 degrees to the left in order to go straight. I hit the car on the right front wheel.
When I took in into All Care Automotive shop to do an alignment, they said they need to replace the inner tie rods first, and that would cost about $300 with labour included.
They said it was because of the amount of play in the wheel.
I then took the car to my friends mechanic, who didn’t find anything wrong really with the tie rods, but did notice the amount of play in the front wheels.
He thought the stub axle AND strut would need to be replaced. He figured the alignment mechanic wanted to replace the tie rods to stop the play in the wheels. He noticed a smaller gap between the stub axle and the wheel rims on the side that hit the curb.
I don’t know why you’d replace the struct though- it’s not like the car’s suspension is off. I can’t imagine I hit the curb hard enough to warrant a replacement strut!
Anyhow, I just need some thoughts on this- I’m inclined to replace the stub axle and inner tie rods- but the strut would make it a really big job, I figure.
By the way, the car drives just fine- at high speeds, etc. I have noticed a drop in fuel economy though.
I really just want the alignment right!
Thank you,
Diamond
p.s. Does anyone really have an honest, reasonable mechanic for Nissan vehicles?
p.s.s. Are there any good sources for USED Altima parts in Edmonton? (I’ve tried posting on the forum, with limited results)