Rear Camber bolt issue (2008 Chevy Impala SS)

[oklapike]

I just took my car into the dealer for some routine maintenance. When it was ready for pick-up, the service advisor came back to tell me I needed a new tire due to excessive wear. He told me the wear was due to defective camber bolts in the rear suspension. The guy stated that I'd need a new tire. Also that they would need to go in, replace the camber bolts, and do a new rear alignment. Aside from the outrageous price he quoted for the tire, he also told me this work would not be covered under warranty. Any thoughts or suggestions?

[AndrewGS]

I'd tell him to bend over in front of the car while you get in and drive.

If the camber was off to begin with then they need to make it right under warranty. Defective bolts are not your problem, they're GMs, and the tire that was affected by this defect should be replaced also. I'd talk to the service manager, and if that doesn't work, talk to the sales manager and let him know you don't appreciate how his dealer is treating you after the sale.

[eurohazard]

^ +1. Unbelieveable.

[oklapike]

Originally Posted by AndrewGS

I'd tell him to bend over in front of the car while you get in and drive.

If the camber was off to begin with then they need to make it right under warranty. Defective bolts are not your problem, they're GMs, and the tire that was affected by this defect should be replaced also. I'd talk to the service manager, and if that doesn't work, talk to the sales manager and let him know you don't appreciate how his dealer is treating you after the sale.

I have since spoken to the service manager...I should clarify something though. I bought this car in another state, so I can't exactly talk to the sales manager. Anyhow, the service rep made it out like the camber bolt was the cause, he mentioned they'd seen it with other Impalas. However, I heard a slightly different story from the service manager (could be BS too) that a misalignment can also cause camber bolts to go bad. So how do I determine if it's the camber or bad alignment? First thing I'm going to do is get a second opinion, 'cause it does sound like to me they're backpedaling from what the service rep first told me. I may check some Impala-specific forums to see if anyone else has had a similar camber-bolt issue.

[AndrewGS]

Originally Posted by oklapike

I have since spoken to the service manager...I should clarify something though. I bought this car in another state, so I can't exactly talk to the sales manager.

That shouldn't be an avenue you'd have to take though, even if you had bought it from them. The service dept. should take care of it.

Anyhow, the service rep made it out like the camber bolt was the cause, he mentioned they'd seen it with other Impalas. However, I heard a slightly different story from the service manager (could be BS too) that a misalignment can also cause camber bolts to go bad. So how do I determine if it's the camber or bad alignment? First thing I'm going to do is get a second opinion, 'cause it does sound like to me they're backpedaling from what the service rep first told me. I may check some Impala-specific forums to see if anyone else has had a similar camber-bolt issue.

How many miles are on the car? I mean, it's only a year old, it shouldn't have had enough time to cause that much tire wear unless it was wrecked or built with a bad alignment.

[oklapike]

Originally Posted by AndrewGS

That shouldn't be an avenue you'd have to take though, even if you had bought it from them. The service dept. should take care of it.



How many miles are on the car? I mean, it's only a year old, it shouldn't have had enough time to cause that much tire wear unless it was wrecked or built with a bad alignment.

Almost 30k, I actually bought it summer 2007, very early in the 2008 MY.

[MrCritical]

They should probably replace the bolts under warranty and align the car if replacing the bolts calls for it.

They're not going to buy you a tire at 30k.

They may also ask you for your records of tire rotation.

[AndrewGS]

Originally Posted by MrCritical

They should probably replace the bolts under warranty and align the car if replacing the bolts calls for it.

They're not going to buy you a tire at 30k.

They may also ask you for your records of tire rotation.

I agree. At the very least they need to replace the bolts and align it, but I'd argue that they should sell you a tire at cost since it was a defect that caused the abnormal wear.

[oklapike]

Originally Posted by MrCritical

They should probably replace the bolts under warranty and align the car if replacing the bolts calls for it.

They're not going to buy you a tire at 30k.

They may also ask you for your records of tire rotation.

Originally Posted by AndrewGS

I agree. At the very least they need to replace the bolts and align it, but I'd argue that they should sell you a tire at cost since it was a defect that caused the abnormal wear.

I'm not going to fight about the tire. I can find one for a decent price, I'll just buy it myself and take it to a dealer for the work and tire replacement.

[Buicktech]

Sounds like it was handled very poorly. If it was a problem from the onset, and was serviced at the dealer they should have caught it, and fixed it by now. But if this is the first time they have seen your car it is hard for them to know if it was a problem from the factory or a problem that was caused be regular use (pot holes, ruts, etc...). From what I can tell, the service advisor Yada/Yadadad too much out his ass.
There doesnt seem to be any GM bulletins regarding such an issue.

[oklapike]

Originally Posted by Buicktech

Sounds like it was handled very poorly. If it was a problem from the onset, and was serviced at the dealer they should have caught it, and fixed it by now. But if this is the first time they have seen your car it is hard for them to know if it was a problem from the factory or a problem that was caused be regular use (pot holes, ruts, etc...). From what I can tell, the service advisor Yada/Yadadad too much out his ass.
There doesnt seem to be any GM bulletins regarding such an issue.

It's definitely not the first time this dealer has seen my car. I've had it in pretty consistently for routine stuff since my wife and I moved here a little over a year ago. In fact, they're the ones that did my last tire rotation.

[73ChevelleSS]

Ok let me set the record straight.GM is well aware of the issues with tire wear on Impala's.There was a recall for the Police Package Imapala's to replace the rear bars.They claimed the bushings were too soft causing excessive negative camber.Especially with weight.The new bars do not fix the negative camber.We have done them on customers cars and the camber is still neagative after.There are special strut bolts that can be instaled.After you instal them you can adjust the rear camber properly.We have instaled several camber bolts.It all depends on how many miles to justify tire replacement.If it is under 20k you should at least get 2 new rear tires.If your dealer gives you some nonsense find another one that will help.

[61BelAir]

That vehicle doesn't come with OE adjustable camber bolts. But they are available in the aftermarket for roughly around $25-$30 for the rear set and they take about 5 minutes to install. You would still have to get it aligned and adjusted of course

[oklapike]

I talked to the service manager at another local dealer today, and it sounds like this dealership is more willing to work with me and go to bat for me as far as getting warranty coverage (and pro-rated tires) for the work. However, worst case scenario, I may look into buying camber bolts myself and doing the work. Probably not much more complex than doing one's own brakes I'd guess?

[61BelAir]

Originally Posted by oklapike

I talked to the service manager at another local dealer today, and it sounds like this dealership is more willing to work with me and go to bat for me as far as getting warranty coverage (and pro-rated tires) for the work. However, worst case scenario, I may look into buying camber bolts myself and doing the work. Probably not much more complex than doing one's own brakes I'd guess?

Installation is very simple so if you have the tools, (two wrenches) and a floor jack you can do it easily. Check the link below. At the bottom of the link there is an installation video as well...Its super simple. The part no. on the page is the one for your vehicle.

http://www.spcperformance.com/PROD_D...d2=81260&cmd3=