Dealer didnt torque strut to knuckle bolt.. What problems to look for?

notsosimple · 11-05-2012, 02:04 PM

Royal Moore did an alignment last Thursday on my '02 WRX. Drove to WA for work on Friday, and was up early on Saturday. About 6AM, in the rain, outside of Yamhill my front passenger wheel locks up completely. I was able to fight it without hitting the ditch. Long story short, the lower bolt on the strut>knuckle was completely gone. Got a tow back to the dealer and they accepted all fault. As of Saturday they said it just needed a new bolt and I would be good. Picking it up tomorrow.

What else should I look for? Sounds like it could have stressed the speed sensor, brake line, an axle. Also I noticed the tire rubbing on the lower spring seat, and the wheel ground off on the strut assembly. How would tie rods, sway link, and lower ball joint fair at a 60MPH failure? I just dont want to get the car back and have problems in the near future that should have been corrected.

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elislider · 11-05-2012, 04:17 PM

ball joint may have been excessively stressed. tie rods maybe too, but probably fine. sway bar should be unaffected. they should repair/replace your wheel and possibly strut too if they did that much damage.

Big-E · 11-06-2012, 08:42 AM

Ask them if they reused the nuts.

These are torque-lock nuts and should be used only once; that's what the Subaru repair manual states.

11-05-2012, 02:04 PM	#1
notsosimple Scooby Specialist Member#: 179937 Join Date: May 2008 Chapter/Region: NWIC Location: Portland, OR Vehicle: 2002 WRX PSM	Dealer didnt torque strut to knuckle bolt.. What problems to look for? Royal Moore did an alignment last Thursday on my '02 WRX. Drove to WA for work on Friday, and was up early on Saturday. About 6AM, in the rain, outside of Yamhill my front passenger wheel locks up completely. I was able to fight it without hitting the ditch. Long story short, the lower bolt on the strut>knuckle was completely gone. Got a tow back to the dealer and they accepted all fault. As of Saturday they said it just needed a new bolt and I would be good. Picking it up tomorrow. What else should I look for? Sounds like it could have stressed the speed sensor, brake line, an axle. Also I noticed the tire rubbing on the lower spring seat, and the wheel ground off on the strut assembly. How would tie rods, sway link, and lower ball joint fair at a 60MPH failure? I just dont want to get the car back and have problems in the near future that should have been corrected. * Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

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11-05-2012, 04:17 PM	#2
elislider Scooby Specialist Member#: 133923 Join Date: Dec 2006 Chapter/Region: NWIC Location: Portland, OR Vehicle: 03 Legacy GT wagon I love goooollllllllddddd	ball joint may have been excessively stressed. tie rods maybe too, but probably fine. sway bar should be unaffected. they should repair/replace your wheel and possibly strut too if they did that much damage.

11-06-2012, 08:42 AM	#3
Big-E NASIOC Supporter Member#: 123843 Join Date: Aug 2006 Chapter/Region: NESIC Location: Greenwich, CT Vehicle: 2006 SGM WRX S2 Let LED's light your way!	Ask them if they reused the nuts. These are torque-lock nuts and should be used only once; that's what the Subaru repair manual states.