Can replacing the front lower control arm bushings, cause me to lose control?
What is your question?
I had my front lower control arm bushings replaced and a 4 wheel alignment done on my 2013 Audi A4 yesterday by a reputable mechanic shop. Today, I was unable to navigate around a curve and had an accident. The car would not go in the direction that I was steering (slightly left) so it kept going straight/right and made me crash into a curb and damage the whole bottom passenger side of the car. The alignment is now really off and it is not safe to drive. How can I tell if was a failure as a result of the work I just had done? What should I do? Should I take it back to the shop and hope that they are honest? Should I file an insurance claim and let them investigate? Could my inability to control the vehicle be a result of of replacing the front lower control arm bushings and/or mechanic error?
What makes this problem better or worse?
It happened spontaneously 1 day after replacing the lower front control arm bushings and having it aligned by a shop.
How long has your 2013 Audi A4 Quattro had this problem?
RepairPal Certified shops can diagnose and repair your 2013 Audi A4 Quattro. They provide transparent pricing with a minimum 12-month or 12,000-mile warranty on repairs and services.
Hi, my name is Devin. I am an auto repair expert with the Car Genius team here at RepairPal. I'm sorry to hear about your accident, and I hope you're okay!
After replacing the front lower control arm bushings and getting a 4-wheel alignment done, your A4 should handle better, not worse. If you lost control while steering, it could indicate something wasn't installed or aligned correctly. The control arms affect steering stability, so if they weren't secured correctly or the alignment was off, it could lead to handling issues, as you experienced. An insurance claim may help, but returning it to the shop for them to check their work is a good idea.
If you need more advice, have any other questions about your vehicle, or would like to get connected to a RepairPal Certified shop near you, we have you covered. Give us a call at 877-913-1554, and we will happily help you out!
