Need advice broken bolt control arm

[Vdubzr32]

Ok so I took my car to a local shop to get the lower control arm replaced due to normal ware and just want to freshen up front end.

It gets done and then I take the car to alignment and bam all good..


Although now the car pulls to the right after the alignment. I get under the car and the lower control arm outside bolt the head is broken off. So as of now I have one one of the bolts tightened in the lower control arm.

I'm just curious me knowing the answer would this be the possibility of why the car after an alignment pulls to the right.

 

[92AWDHX40]

Maybe it wasn't done properly or you have some parts that have wear and tear on them, and that could have caused a problem if the parts were in bad shape before the alignment.

 

[Vdubzr32]

Maybe it wasn't done properly or you have some parts that have wear and tear on them, and that could have caused a problem if the parts were in bad shape before the alignment.

I replaced all suspension/steering components.

I'm asking if having a broken bolt on lower control arm can cause the car to oull to the right.

 

[Dsmkauai]

Can you post a pic or your alignment spec sheet? And which lower bolt the one for the strut arm or which one? Maybe post a pic of that it would help? And if you had a shop replace the lower arm why is the bolt broke off? I would take it back and have them fix it asap, kinda dangerous of you ask me! Is he broken bolt on the right or left side? Are your tires new or old? A lot can come into play when getting a car aligned perfect. Its also good to find a good alignment shop that knows how to read the machine and your car. And not just put things into the green and say its good !

 

[Vdubzr32]

Ok I have new rims with fresh new tires. The lower control arm (curved) has two bolt that mount to the body of the ca and the other end to the spindal. One of the bolts that mount to the body the head is broken off but the bolt is still in the hole. As of now only one bolt is holting it tight in place. I don't want to deal with this shop because once you do a half ass job they'll do it again.

As I'm flying right npw to paris ill get the picture on sunday

This a picture off a google search but here is the bolt that the head is broken off. The bolt that's on the RIGHT

 

[Insane20]

ok to start DO NOT DRIVE YOUR CAR WITH THAT BOLT BROKEN. second i would take it back to the shop that did it and demand they fix the bolt and do another alignment. if your uncomfortable with their work i would atlest try to get a refund of the labor, then go to another shop. to answer your question the broken bolt could cause a pull if the the control arm is just swaying back and fourth. but judging by the fact that the shop decided to let a broken bolt leave their shop, they probley did a half assed alignment also.

 

[Dsmkauai]

So it's the lateral control arm I believe your referring to right? There's even a recall on that arm from way back that states if it separates it could greatly increase the risk of a crash! I would suggest not going back there, find a trusted place and take them back the bill! But I wouldn't drive the car, the arms probably shifting and could possible snap the other bolt then fall of all together. Most likely the reason your cars pulling. That's b.s. that they would let your car go like that and tell you its all good. That's one reason I became a tech so my family and others around me wouldn't have to get ripped off by jags like that! My brother in law lives in jersey too, I could ask him if he knows a good shop around there. He has a sick Vw r32 and takes care of it so I know he'd have a good spot. Let me know and I can ask if you want. You can always fix it yourself. You need a good drill and bits, some stud extractor or easy outs and some patience. Then a new bolt and your all good, of course I would get the alignment checked again somewhere else just to be safe.

 

[RamenPride]

So it's the lateral control arm I believe your referring to right? There's even a recall on that arm from way back that states if it separates it could greatly increase the risk of a crash!

I think he's talking about the curved lower arm:

You must be logged in to view this image or video.

 

[Vdubzr32]

I think he's talking about the curved lower arm:

You must be logged in to view this image or video.

thats exactly what i was alking about

 

[99gst_racer]

It's pretty common to have one of those bolts break off on a 20 year-old DSM living above the rust belt. The shop should have informed you of the problem and quoted the labor to fix it, but they didn't for some unknown reason. I wouldn't ever take anything back to them.

It is worth fixing. It will probably need to be drilled out, and then the threads cleaned up with a tap.

 

[Black95TSIawd]

Mechanics are shady in NJ, especially Newark. Use caution on who you let work on your car.

 

[thomcasey]

Did the alignment even notice it since it isn't an area they would adjust to align? Seems the alignment was performed at a different shop? Since alignments are static, they probably got the alignment spot on. But, once in motion, your control arm would move. Get the original shop to refund you the labor or fix it (Good luck). Once you get it fixed, you can take it back to the alignment shop and have them check it. Alignments usually have a 90 day warranty.

 

[Cox Abele]

thomcasey: I could see it being over looked since there is no adjustment available on the 2g lower arms. If toe were the only thing needing set, the tech wouldn't have been terribly concerned about anything other than the outer tie rods.

Your toe in the front could be dead on, but your rear toe could be causing some steer ahead issues. Also, if the steering wheel weren't locked in place in the proper orientation, that can also cause pulling issues.

We need to see the alignment sheet, that will tell more about what is going on.

Take the broken bolt up with the shop it was at for that repair. Honey catches more bees than vinegar.

 

[Vdubzr32]

Thanks guys appticiate the in put. I took to new shop n they got it out and then took it back the alignment.

 

[Spoolingaround]

Honestly I would have called a lawyer. Ive had shops mess up jobs before, like on my 94 buick lasabre, i had a brake job done, they messed up and didn't tighten a fitting all the way, leading to a fluid leak, leading to me having no brakes. Luckily my brakes went out when I was in the driveway, but I called a lawyer, they called the shop, and then the shop gave me new lines, new calipers, new pads and new rotors (like a $1200 job) for free to avoid a court case.