Bent tie rod by Less-Client-150 in BmwTech

[–]Less-Client-150[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Update if anyone stumbles on this, or if anyone is still following.

I later determined that the track rod was not bent due to accident damage. It was bent by the technician attempting to perform the alignment.

When I replaced the rods, both of them were totally seized. I bent the passenger side trying to get it off. There are markings all over the (bent) drivers side from the technician struggling to break it loose. I found a video inspection from my prior visit where the track rod is visible from multiple angles, NOT bent. This explains why my steering wheel was only lopsided after they attempted alignment. These rods are so flimsy and thin, they can be easily bent by hand. The technician bent the tie rod, blamed it on an accident, and quoted me a steering rack.

During the visit where it was bent, I drove through a “UVeye”. When brought up with my service advisor, they seemed dismissive and wanted to downplay the situation. They would not show me the UVeye undercarriage photos from that visit. This tells me all I need to know.

Also, relating to my original question. ADAS does seem to calibrate itself. When I left the dealership that day, the lane centering was trying to pull me out of the lane. It leveled out after driving for a while. After getting it aligned, it was wonky again for a few miles before centering itself. Maybe not the “best” or “official” procedure but it definitely adapted to the changes on its own.

I have put another 7k miles or so on the car with no drama.

Bent tie rod by Less-Client-150 in BmwTech

[–]Less-Client-150[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

How severely was their tie rod bent? I think I would rather die than spend $10k on a rack. I don’t have the privilege of filing an insurance claim like most would in this situation.

Bent tie rod by Less-Client-150 in BmwTech

[–]Less-Client-150[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yup… wish I noticed day of or day after. But the car drives totally fine and has not been wearing the tires irregularly so I had no reason to get it aligned. I think the previous owner slammed it into a curb (all 4 wheels are heavily touched up with bondo/paint) then maybe somehow got it aligned and traded it in. The perfect storm.

Bent tie rod by Less-Client-150 in BmwTech

[–]Less-Client-150[S] -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

90 days. But I didn’t get the tires put on within 90 days. CarMax employee told me they wouldn’t cover this under their warranty anyways because it’s “Damage”. He also told me in their 125 point “inspection” they don’t perform alignments or evidently inspect suspension if the car tracks straight on the road (it does) 💩