Just Bought A 2001 I30. Advice Needed!!

Post by **Dust N Bones** » Sun Apr 25, 2004 12:42 pm

Thursday I traded in my '97 I30T for an '01 I30. I just noticed today the the driver side front door is not not positioned correctly, as in it's hanging too low so when I close the door it scrapes against the door jam so I have to really slam it to get it to close. Also the steering wheel is not exactly centered it is somewhat off the right. (I drove around for 2 hours today checking this and I'm positive it's off)

I have no idea how I didn't notice these things when I test drove the car because I'm always so thorough. I was kind of in a rush the day I test drove it but I still examined the car the best I could without a lift.

So now I'm thinking that I have may have made a huge mistake by not having this car looked over good before I bought it. I'm thinking maybe it was in an accident but maybe I'm jumping to conclusions. I did run a Carfax report and that showed everything as okay but I don't know if that can be trusted. I know better than to just walk in and buy a used car without having it inspected or even contacting the previous owner but I was exited about this car plus my 97 was having some serious problems. What are everyone's thoughts?

Post by **PalmerWMD** » Sun Apr 25, 2004 12:42 pm

Did you buy it from dealer or private party?

In most states if you ask "was this car in an accident" they have to answer truthfully.

otherwise....Or you could just have had aftd river that leaned a lot on the door and steering wheel.

Or it could have been in an ccident, check the bolts in engine bay, original?

Fred...

Post by **Jeff Williams** » Sun Apr 25, 2004 12:42 pm

Those don't sound very good.

Carfax is not very accurate, at all. Basically, a waste of money.

Definitely take it back to the dealer, or call them immediately!

depending on the dealer, and the state, you should have a few days to change your mind, or return the car.

Try to find an insurance card, from the previous owner.

Get the car on a lift, in a reputable body shop. They can easily check to see if it has been repaired.

Side impacts are seroius.

Post by **Dust N Bones** » Sun Apr 25, 2004 12:42 pm

I'm going to have it checked out as soon as possible. I did find an old registration card in the glove compartment for the previous owner so I think I'll give her a call tonight.

Post by **Dust N Bones** » Sun Apr 25, 2004 12:42 pm

Well I found the person who owned the car previously in the phone book and gave her a call last night. She was very pleasant and said that she traded the car in for a new I35. She said it had never been in an accident. The front drivers side fender was hit by something and had a dent but she said that was just pounded out and no part of the car has ever been repainted.

She said she never noticed the steering wheel being off (she said "wow you have a very good eye") but she did notice that something was wrong with the door. Now things just don't make sense, I don't see why she would lie because I explained to her that I already bought the car and I just wanted to know so I would know if I should take the car to a body shop or the dealer for repairs. I guess there could be something wrong with the hinges on the door but I've never heard of a steering wheel being off unless the car was in an accident or stolen.

Oh and I had a friend of mine who does body work look at the car and he couldn't see any evidence that it was in an accident but he didn't put it on a lift.

Post by **Jeff Williams** » Sun Apr 25, 2004 12:42 pm

What a relief!

It could be a product of parking on a hill, and using the door, ot pull yourself out of the car. My mom does this, with her Honda. I am sure her door gets a workout.

I guess it would be rude to ask her how much she weighs?:icesangel

Post by **carlos_knology** » Sun Apr 25, 2004 12:42 pm

Dust N Bones wrote: I guess there could be something wrong with the hinges on the door but I've never heard of a steering wheel being off unless the car was in an accident or stolen.

When you say the steering wheel is off to the right, do you mean the steering column is leaning to the right or do you have to turn the wheel to the right to make the car go straight?

If it's the latter, I'd say that a botched 4-wheel alignment job can definitely screw up the steering wheel orientation. I've had that happen twice.

Once to a Toyota Supra and once to my J30.

Post by **Dust N Bones** » Sun Apr 25, 2004 12:42 pm

carlos_knology wrote:When you say the steering wheel is off to the right, do you mean the steering column is leaning to the right or do you have to turn the wheel to the right to make the car go straight?

Well what I mean is that if I'm driving down a completely flat road and the wheels are completely straight the steering wheel is not centered. So when the wheels are positioned straight the steering wheel is slightly turned to the right. So when the steering wheel is straight I am making a slight left turn. Does that make sense? BTW thank you all for all of your help.

Post by **driverdriver** » Sun Apr 25, 2004 12:42 pm

Sound like at some point in the life of the car, the car hit a curb, the control arms where bent and than straightened but the steering not quite corrected. Had this issue years ago when I owned an Audi Quattro (good riddance!), the traction control basically failed and I slid into a curb left front wheel first. It took a lot of cash to get the steering wheel centered right.

Post by **Dust N Bones** » Sun Apr 25, 2004 12:42 pm

driverdriver wrote:Sound like at some point in the life of the car, the car hit a curb, the control arms where bent and than straightened but the steering not quite corrected. Had this issue years ago when I owned an Audi Quattro (good riddance!), the traction control basically failed and I slid into a curb left front wheel first. It took a lot of cash to get the steering wheel centered right.

Would that be covered by the 4/48 warranty because the car is still under the original manufacturer warranty.

Post by **Jeff Williams** » Sun Apr 25, 2004 12:42 pm

Not covered under warranty.

Have a 4-wheel alignment done at a reputable shop, or dealership. You might even get the dealership who sold you the car, to have it done, since you just bought it.

Ask them to center the wheel.

Some tire shops don't bother to center the wheel, when they do a cheapie alignment.

I have had to get them re-done in the past, myself.

Post by **carlos_knology** » Sun Apr 25, 2004 12:42 pm

Jeff is right. Get the car aligned and make sure they center the wheel.

As long as no suspension components are bent, they should be able to take care of it.

Carlos

Post by **PalmerWMD** » Sun Apr 25, 2004 12:42 pm

Dust N Bones wrote:Well what I mean is that if I'm driving down a completely flat road and the wheels are completely straight the steering wheel is not centered. So when the wheels are positioned straight the steering wheel is slightly turned to the right. So when the steering wheel is straight I am making a slight left turn. Does that make sense? BTW thank you all for all of your help.

Sounds like it needs an aligment.Happens every day2 wheel aligment $50-804 wheel $60-120

(depending where)

Fred..

Just Bought A 2001 I30. Advice Needed!!

Just Bought A 2001 I30. Advice Needed!!

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