Control Arm Bolts Loose

[Welery]

I wanted to speak with my lawyer before I posted this, as this is an obvious case of negligence in my eyes, however I won’t be able to speak to him until Tuesday. When I was getting my starter fixed one of the mechanics asked me I wanted to die today. He took underneath my car and showed me where the two bolts that holds the upper A-Arm together where coming out. It looked like the bolts where not even threaded. He was able to move the bolts freely with his hands. I did not have a digital camera and I was no were near a store that I could get a disposable camera from so I do not have pics. The bolts have been tightened. Thank God I had this starter problem otherwise, I would be dead. I am not pointing blame at anyone yet, but if it was obvious to him and he was fixing the starter, you would think that the people repairing an entire engine would see it too. They supposedly completed a safety and courtesy inspection. I will keep you updated on the outcome.

[jrl459]

That is jacked up!!! Glad your starter crapped out on you. With all the bad luck those on the board have had lately it seems like the good luck out has outweighed it with what could have been.

[S2k Dude]

I doubt a lawsuit is the correct course of action. There was no harm done, only "potential" harm and it's pretty hard to collect for "potential" damages that you didn't suffer. I've seen this a couple of times with various shops and S2000 owners, mostly you just bring it to the shops attention and shake a finger at them. Beyond that just call yourself lucky.

I'd recommend to everyone to check any work you have done on your car. At least take a socket wrench and see that any safety critcal fasteners (or even the oil filter) they may have taken apart are tight.

When I had my new tires mounted, even though I watch the guy torque the wheels I went back and checked the torque and tire pressure myself.

[Johnyboy]

Dave is right. I haven't heard of anone getting anythng more than an appology (maybe) and a free oil change for something like this. :rolleyes:

Unfortunately, there is no way to tell which nuts and bolts to check in a situation where the car has been in the shop for so long.

[F8d2civic]

Sorry that happened...unfortunately everyone makes mistakes some bigger than others. Probably the only thing you can do is call the place and tell them that one of their mechanics made a potentially life threating mistake and that they need to be sure to check behind themselves. I don't know if you'll get anything out of the deal though, it's just fortunate for you that someone caught the mistake. If the other problem was their fault also maybe you should try to make them pay for you having to take your car to yet another place to have it fixed, when it was someting that should have been done right the first time.

[WebGod]

That sucks dude, I definately feel your pain....

BTW, I moved this to the member section just incase.

[Welery]

Thanks Jesse

[Cyclon36]

Dude, that blows. I would atleast try to get them to pay for your friends time of jacking your car up and seeing what was wrong.

[NoSnow]

If I remember correctly the work was done at Roebuck Honda?
Maybe it was the same guy who forgot to:
-close my hood
-tighten my axle nut
-install the brake shims correctly
-wipe of the greasy finger prints.....
oh, he couldn't find the vibration either (both 1/2 shafts were bad)

It was on my 'Lude not the S

[S2k Dude]

If I remember correctly the work was done at Roebuck Honda?
Maybe it was the same guy who forgot to:
-close my hood
-tighten my axle nut
-install the brake shims correctly
-wipe of the greasy finger prints.....
oh, he couldn't find the vibration either (both 1/2 shafts were bad)

It was on my 'Lude not the S
Damn, not even a Honda employee can get a break http://www.s2katlanta.com/%7Es2katl/forum/images/smilies/frown.gif.

[Fast Shadow]

That sucks, but at least you found it before anything bad happened. I'm not a lawyer but I seriously doubt you have cause for legal action. I think the only lawyer that would tell you otherwise would be one that gets paid whether or not you win or lose.

[decker]

dude i just went through the same thing, honda put a rear tire on the front of my car and i nearly lost it during a drive. I checked and it's super hard to get damages if you actually didn't suffer from it.

Best we can do is just make sure that we check the work that people do and hope to hell it doesn't get us killed.