I smoked two curbs with my car (Volvo 240) and . . . ?

Question

Today I hit two curbs at approximately 30-40 kmph, because my driving skills had a brain fart. The car drives like it did before, but the guy at the repair shop said the wheel wasn't completely straight. I knew it needed an alignment which is why I brought it in (turns to the right). But they said that they needed to fix something else.

(On a side note, I also went in because I needed to put a new muffler on anyways. And the bills said like 1000$, so I was like screw that and drove away. The bill seems to be for replacing most of the exhaust system, which though maybe ideal, doesn't seem required / I can't afford it anyways).

I guess my question is that if it drives like it did before, other than the misaligned tires, is it safe to drive in general? Would I notice something big / obvious if there was something big / obviously wrong with the car?

BTW: the car is an 1986 Volvo 240, which is known to be pretty sturdy.

I already drove home so that's not the issue.

Answer 1

I'd have to say no. It isn't safe to drive. If you're unsure about the condition of your suspension or brakes, don't drive the car. Those old 240s' are sturdy for sure. I own 3 of them. They're also designed for "compliance" which is to say that if you hit something hard, the car will absorb the impact so that you don't have to. What this means is that there are weak points built into the car (and every car these days). You could have bent a lower control arm in the front or the panhard rod in the rear. You might not notice it until you swerve to avoid a deer at 50mph.
Bottom line: You have to trust your mechanic. If you don't,.... find one that you do trust.

Answer 2

Most bent rims can be straightened for under $100. Or try to find a matching used one at the "yunk" yard. Anyone that would charge you $1000 for a Volvo exhaust must be named Jesse James. Check out the Internet Volvo web-sites. Most Cat back OEM systems are around $300, a little more with clamps and suspenders. You can easily get away with buying the genuine Volvo system yourself and paying a muffler shop $50-60 dollars to install it. If you have bent or loose tie rod ends, better get that done first. This will cause wobble at speed, just like tires not being balanced. Also, check for stuck brake calipers. You are probably way overdue for a brake fluid change (every two years) anyway. This must be done to prevent premature wear of the expensive master cylinder and prevent caliper sticking. Good Luck!!!

Answer 3

If your rims are bent, you could blow a tire on the highway. If anything is unbalanced you run a greater risk of loosing a tire or wheel, and at speed, that occurance will serious damage.

You should be able to find used rims at a junkyard for a more than reasonable price. Check out www.car-part.com. Thats a highly effective used parts search engine.

I wouldn't spend much over $20 for a steel wheel.

The alignment after replacing the wheels shouldn't cost you more than $100 dollars at most.

As for the exhaust, they probably want to replace your catalytic converter, which by itself can cost anwhere from $300-1000.

Best advice on that is to go to the muffler shop about an hour before close and tell the guy you just want the cheapest exhaust run on your car and that you are paying with cash.

Keeps your car quiet, puts a little money the pocket of the guy thats helpin you.

Answer 4

I easily have a 1985 240, and that i like it! it quite is been an exceptionally good reliable automobile, and that they are surely good and risk-free. I easily have had some issues of it, yet no longer something too important. It does seem to cost extra to repair, fairly in case you pass to a Volvo broker. My dad got here upon a small mechanic keep that works on volvos and it became into lots extra low priced. and that i've got observed that the gas mileage isn't all that great anymore, whether it somewhat is 21 years previous and has merely approximately 2 hundred,000 miles. All in all i think of they're exceedingly good autos.

Answer 5

The front end being miss aligned will cause the tire's rear out faster than normal . the car needs to be fixed but i do agree with on the price of the last shop i would look for a better placed to do business with.

Answer 6

you should get your alignment done

if it is veering to the right it could be a bent tie rod frozen caliper or a bent axle or steering out of alignment or a bent control arm

Answer 7

I would pray if I were you before I drive off even though Volvo are supposed to be safe cars. Yes ,they are very expensive to fix because they are foreign cars. But maybe it's time to trade it before you have only the frame left.

Answer 8

if something needs replaced it will probably be bent and will just wear tires but if its a worn tie rod end then you should get replaced as soon as posible