Car Question

[elcaBob]

Ok, everyone, it's time to expose my car ignorance. Nobody in their 40's should have as little car knowledge ad I do and I'm embarrassed about it.

I have an 06 Kia Rio. It's been a great, little car. However, right now, the right rear tire is sitting with the bottom in "\" <-- like that. Seems as though something must be bent.

I'm just looking for ideas of what it might be so that I can try and avoid getting totally screwed by a mechanic.

Thanks in advance, everyone!

 

[tRidiot]

Broken or bent axle? Definately not a good thing, whatever it is....

Sorry, good luck, bro. Surely someone in T-town can point us to an honest mechanic who won't take advantage???


On second thought... maybe we can start some threads with names and numbers of honest mechanics, good HVAC repair folks and plumbers, etc. Like a running list we can keep updated for when our members are out and about in the state and might have a situation where they need to obtain some of these services? I, for one, would like to have the names and numbers of a few mechanics in the Tulsa, OKC and other areas vicinity in case something happens when I'm not near home and don't want to get taken to the cleaners.

Anyone interested in this?

But definitely some suggestions for the OP in tulsa right now.

 

[SMS]

What your referring to is called Camber, some amount of camber can be normal. How much for your particular model, I don't know. Maybe surf around some Kia forums and look for discussions on excessive camber....

 

[twoguns?]

May sound stupid , but i usually look to the simple first.
Lug nuts tight, low on air, sitting at an odd angle.
Grab it and wobble it to see if anything is loose.
What does the other side look like.
Have you hit a curb or pothole, may be bent rim.

 

[dieseltech09]

Jack it up. see if there is any excess movement, compare it to the other side and see what looks different

There isnt a lot to the rear suspension on those cars. A torsion beam axle, and the bearing hub is about all thats back there. Could be the wheel bearing went bad or maybe you just need an alignment.

 

[elcaBob]

The passenger side is fine. It's bad enough that a tire lasts about 3 weeks before you can see the steel belt starting to pop through on the outside edge of the tread.

 

[dieseltech09]

Id take it to a shop. I like using Firestone for my alignment work. The one I use in Edmond is very quick and they have always been straight up with me.

 

[Chief Sapulpa]

Creitz Automotive is the most trustworthy shop in Tulsa but not sure they work on imports. They are at 46th & Memorial. Give them a call at 918-622-0043.

 

[4play]

You just need to have someone check it out. Something is bent bad to cause that, and alignment wont fix it. Somebody must have hit a large pot hole, curb or something. I would suspect at least a bent axle or spindle.

 

[dowmace]

You've most likely got a bent rim, being a rio I am going to assume you probably have the steel wheels with hubcaps? The steel wheels on Kia's and some Hyaundais are pretty easily bent for some reason and will cause exactly what you are describing, I'd jack the car up and spin the wheel see if it wobbles or if the tilt is the same, if it wobbles it's probably the wheel, or wheel bearing/spindle if it stays the same with the wheel at the same angle your axle is probably bent.

This is just some off the cuff advice without seeing the car I could be 100% wrong though. Regardless I suggest using one of the Hibdon's in tulsa as they can most definitely take care of the problem no matter what it is they are great for alignment, and wheel issues. I have heard great things about robertson also.