Damage due to improper alignment done at Big Box Tireshop

[orapaho]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Oregon

Recently, I had an issue with my car swaying from side to side. took it into my mechanic and he said whomever did the alignment last did not tighten the jam nut. This resulted in the tie-rod failing and then the tires wearing unevenly. The problem is the Alignment was done 4 years ago. I do have the bill and receipt for XXXX Auto location that did the work. The bill for the current repair was $310 but the tires will need to be replaced soon too. What claim can I make for these costs to XXXX Auto? I wanted to arm myself with some knowledge before I go to them.

 

[Zigner]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Oregon

Recently, I had an issue with my car swaying from side to side. took it into my mechanic and he said whomever did the alignment last did not tighten the jam nut. This resulted in the tie-rod failing and then the tires wearing unevenly. The problem is the Alignment was done 4 years ago. I do have the bill and receipt for XXXX Auto location that did the work. The bill for the current repair was $310 but the tires will need to be replaced soon too. What claim can I make for these costs to XXXX Auto? I wanted to arm myself with some knowledge before I go to them.

You have no claim against the shop that did the work 4 years ago. Heck, it's laughable that your mechanic would even say that.

I have to ask...why was it 4 years in between alignments? That is WAY beyond the manufacturer's recommendation.

 

[OHRoadwarrior]

The problem here appears to be the negligent vehicle owner who failed to maintain their vehicle. Many people do it. They are not foolish enough to make a claim as you did. You should have your alignment/steering/suspension checked whenever your vehicle fails to travel in a straight line after you have complied with the tire manufacturers suggested rotation and balancing schedule faithfully. You have nothing.

 

[sandyclaus]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Oregon

Recently, I had an issue with my car swaying from side to side. took it into my mechanic and he said whomever did the alignment last did not tighten the jam nut. This resulted in the tie-rod failing and then the tires wearing unevenly. The problem is the Alignment was done 4 years ago. I do have the bill and receipt for XXXX Auto location that did the work. The bill for the current repair was $310 but the tires will need to be replaced soon too. What claim can I make for these costs to XXXX Auto? I wanted to arm myself with some knowledge before I go to them.

You're kidding, right?

How is your mechanic going to determine that someone didn't tighten a jam nut FOUR YEARS AGO?

Nuts and other fasteners can loosen in time themselves. The fact that you had the same tires on the vehicle for 4 years says to me that you don't have your vehicle regularly maintained in the first place. I wouldn't be surprised that if you had actually done regular maintenance, and if the problem really was a jam nut that wasn't properly fastened, that it could have been discovered far sooner and resulted in far less damage. As it stands, your lack of maintenance severely impacts your duty to mitigate your damages.

Bottom line here is that there is a snowball's chance in H-E-double hockeysticks of getting the big box store to buy you new tires or reimburse you for a repair now.

 

[OHRoadwarrior]

HIJACK

Why is it when you buy a new car, no one offers a lifetime balance/rotate package on the tires?

END HIJACK

 

[swalsh411]

The fact that you had the same tires on the vehicle for 4 years says to me that you don't have your vehicle regularly maintained in the first place.

Not necessarily if you hardly drive it.