Car troubles! Should I keep this car or move on to another. Story inside.

[Hellotalkie]

Dear Fellow Anandtechers
You've guys have helped me throughout all my car trouble, that I need advice once again.


This tire is less than a year old; with only 8000 miles put on it. Gt eagles 16"
I noticed this balding right after I hit a pothole the other day and had to replace my bent wheel. The tire place said that the tire was in bad shape and I shouldn't be using it since it might blow out.

Anyways a little background info about my car. Its a ford focus 2003 zx3. Bought it last year for cheap. The suspension was lowered; aftermarket exhaust. I've gotten rid of the exhaust and kept the suspension. 2 months after I bought the car I was involved in a Hit-and-run, me being the victim, i was side impacted and the driver took off. Well I was going to file a police report; they said I would get a citation for the accident (long story, though I thought it was B.S because they just didn't want to do the report). I didn't file with insurance thinking my car was fine. I soon got 4 brand new eagle gt's 16's a month later.

Since after driving my car when the accident occurred, I've always heard rubbing or like the axle was bent out of shape that it was rotating and producing an awkward sound? Hard to describe.

So I decided to get my wheels aligned by Monroe muffler; they said they did the best they could because the suspension got in the way. I didn't notice any difference. Actually the car still pulled to the right a little bit.

Anyways that tire is also sharing the same issue with the front driver side tire, they are both balding; rear tires are fine.

Now finally my question; what could be causing this plain and simple (hopefully). I've heard by ear only that it could be a bent frame or the suspension( which btw wouldn't make sense because the previous ORIGINAL tires with 60k weren't even ask balled as these).

Cliffs(understandable lol)
car hit previous year on the side
didn't get fixed, ignored a rubbing sound from the front wheels for a year
tire is balding fast and it seems both front tires are useless and unsafe.
the accident may have caused a bent frame or suspension problems.


small note
I've already put in 1500 last month in this car for maintenance and needs; new exhaust; valve cover; thermostat w/ housing; cruise control fixed; linkages replaced...some other things. I'm really getting tired of dumping money into this car; i don't necessarily have the funds at hand and hate borrowing money from the parentals (im a college kid). This car has been nothing but problems.

Im coming to a point where I think i need a new used car; something that would not make me do maintenance every month just so i can keep it running for the next.

Thanks for your time!

1400 for full suspension back to stock! I'm going to get a second opinion tomorrow! Unless you guys think that is a fair price, that includes alignment

 

[BassBomb]

to answer your question very partially, yes it could be caused by damage sustained in the accident

but it could also be damage to the suspension that can cause this (toe arms, camber arms messed up)

 

[Hellotalkie]

At what point in your opinion would I should stop dumping money into a car? It just seems im creeping up to what the car is actually worth, it has 80k miles. Part of me wants to get a new car but then I don't really want any payments this early, im not too crazy about payments every month for 5 years.

 

[HannibalX]

I'd try and sell the car and use the "high performance" suspension angle to get the younger crowd interested, you might even get someone to pay a little extra because of it. I'd take that money and buy a comparable STOCK car with no accidents. I wouldn't put any more money in the car. You have $1,500 in the last month in the car? That's approaching the car's total value. I wouldn't put another penny in it.

 

[Hellotalkie]

well my dad suggested to buy 2 front new tires for the time being, since right now im on a donut and a half bald left front tire. He said go from there; talk to a mechanic see if its reasonable to keep it; if not then trade it in etc etc etc. I just dont feel safe with the donut anymore; its been 2 days and i've well over put 60 miles on it.

 

[thedarkwolf]

half assed suspension lowering could also be the problem.

 

[chin311]

must be really shitty suspension because even if you did just lowering springs it wouldn't be THAT bad to wear out a good tire in 8,000 miles. depends on the suspension though i suppose.

 

[Hellotalkie]

A lot of what the guy did was shitty; i honestly dont know how someone would destroy a car with these shitty mods.
Anyways my theory is if he had the original firestones for 60k; they didn't bald as bad as these. I have a feeling my issue came after the accident; when i was sideimpacted

 

[Hellotalkie]

I'm getting new tires today; any suggestions? I was just going to get the cheapest tire discounters have and then hopefully find out what a mechanic says today

 

[dawp]

get the alignment done, I would start with that after the tires are replaced. If there are any troubles that prevent it, they will usually tel ya.

 

[Vette73]

half assed suspension lowering could also be the problem.

This.

Fix your suspension and then realign it.

 

[Hellotalkie]

I did get it done before; they said they couldn't allign it because of the low suspension; but i think that was just a common response; doubt he looked if the frame was bent

 

[Vette73]

I did get it done before; they said they couldn't allign it because of the low suspension; but i think that was just a common response; doubt he looked if the frame was bent

facepalm.


No they can;t do a alignment if the cars suspension has been hacked. Sounds like the suspension was lowered wrong and now you are paying for it.
Set it back right with new parts then align it. I saw this all the time in my shop when I was a auto tech.

And if the frame was bent it would not even get close to setting up correct.

 

[Hellotalkie]

I didn't lower the suspension fyi, lol it came that way. :facepalm: indeed.
So you think its worth putting the suspension back to stock; even though im coming close to my cars value soon? The car is also banged up pretty bad; paint is chipping etc...

 

[Vette73]

I didn't lower the suspension fyi, lol it came that way. :facepalm: indeed.
So you think its worth putting the suspension back to stock; even though im coming close to my cars value soon? The car is also banged up pretty bad; paint is chipping etc...

If you want the tires to wear correct then yea.


Post pics as far as value. But if the car runs well and has little to no problem, outside of tires wearing badly, then it may be worth it.

 

[Hellotalkie]

Would suspension cause a noise coming from the axle? it seems the axle isn't perfect straight or bent; i honestly dont know its just making a noise every time the front tires are roatating. When i turn my wheel all the way to the right, it makes a loud noise; like something is rubbing. its not the power steering or belt sounds more mechanical

 

[StageLeft]

And this is why i would never buy a modded car. Ever ever ever. The only exception to this and only in the most remote kind of universe would be if it was a nice, fast car to begin with and I had every confidence that the mod had been done capably by somebody with a brain, not some kid using money he made by selling weed to his buddies.

Anyway, good luck, you've received better advice in the thread on what to do than I have.

Your issue could be something bent but it wouldn't surprise me at all if it's suspension related. If you do nothing but lower the car everything else is not exactly where it used to be and generally expects itself to be.

 

[HarryLui]

Take it to a proper mechanic and see what they say.

 

[Hellotalkie]

Yeah Im going to discount tire to get some cheapo tires for the time being and then going to my local mechanic to tell me whats up. At least if i trade in the car it'll have decent tires on there.

I agree above; will never buy a modified car again. Learn as you go i suppose.
Also im disregarding craigslist entirely; it might be better in the bay area but in dayton ohio; its full of shady people and shady cars.

I'm praying its not a bent frame; but im also hoping it is at the same time. I just want to get rid of this car; its had too many problems.

 

[HannibalX]

Saw an 03 Focus in the paper today, 90k miles, clean, stock, no accidents, $3,100.

That gives you an idea. You have $1,500 last month, you spend another $1,500 this month, you could have bought another car.

 

[dawp]

Yeah Im going to discount tire to get some cheapo tires for the time being and then going to my local mechanic to tell me whats up. At least if i trade in the car it'll have decent tires on there.

I agree above; will never buy a modified car again. Learn as you go i suppose.
Also im disregarding craigslist entirely; it might be better in the bay area but in dayton ohio; its full of shady people and shady cars.

I'm praying its not a bent frame; but im also hoping it is at the same time. I just want to get rid of this car; its had too many problems.

I wouldn't avoid craigslist entirely, you can get good deals on there if you're careful and not buy the first car that looks good. I just bought a '92 taurus SHO on there for $600. A little rough but not in too bad a shape. You just have to know what you're getting yourself into and not to jump blindly on what appears to be a good deal.

 

[Hellotalkie]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_T0HFuzUXfU

this is how my car is driving

 

[CraigRT]

I'd get a few opinions, it may be relatively easy to fix when you actually figure out what the problem is.

Junkyard OEM springs (if lowered on springs) can be had easily for a Focus.. There are millions of them.

On say a Saturn S-series, if the subframe is bent, you can just drop it and replace it. 4 bolts hold the subframe in place, and the lower control arms are bolted to it. Etc.

That's just an example. Find the right person to look at it !

 

[Hellotalkie]

Got the cheapest tires (goodride) 200 out the door for the front two
now I'm going to get a frame check on tuesday for 125
if the frame isn't bent then the tire shop said something about camber? I'll get it done at my mechanic anyways

 

[CraigRT]

Got the cheapest tires (goodride) 200 out the door for the front two
now I'm going to get a frame check on tuesday for 125
if the frame isn't bent then the tire shop said something about camber? I'll get it done at my mechanic anyways

Camber/Caster/Toe is all part of an alignment.

Certain cars have more adjustment that you can do, than other cars. If one of the numbers is way out of whack and it can't be aligned straight, then something is out of whack (bent parts or something)

Otherwise, an alignment should in theory be all you need.