4Runner Down :(

[GbRunner]

I agree w/ jsmarine, they should have seen that when they did the wheel bearing (if it was a front wheel bearing). Correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't the BJ have to be disconnected before you can do the bearing? I Haven't done my bearings yet, but I would think you'd have to.

Haha yeah they have to be removed to replace the front wheel bearing. They claim that the work they did on the front wheel bearing had nothing to do with the lower ball joint. (the LBJ wasnt work that they did). But technically, they did have to reinstall the hub and lower ball joint to the lower control arm meaning they did work on the LBJ. But of course these are things you think of afterwards.

 

[LINY4Runner]

Okay wait.

So they did a Drivers Side Wheel Bearing this very same day?!

That's 100% the shop's fault then...

 

[4-Ripcord]

at least the 4runner went out in full flex! Look at that wheel stand!

That's what I was thinking, haha.

Glad to hear you are OK! Sorry about the rig. I hope you get everything straitened out as painless as possible. I'll be checking my LBJ's tomorrow.

And what happened to the roof rack? Did the force of the wreck rip it off? Looks like the factory roof rails were what failed there..

 

[Nelsonmd]

So, even if they did work on the LBJ, could they cause it to pop out of the socket? If it pulled off the control arm, then heck yeah, it's their fault. But I can't think of a way they could cause it to pull out of the socket other than putting some major stress on the thing during the process. How likely is that versus the added stress of the off-road components?

 

[nquaint]

Just the fact that the shop was working on that area of the rig makes me VERY suspicious that something they did caused the failure. Could've loosened the ball joint nut and forgotten to torque it back on, or put thread lock on.... so many possibilities. And of course they will defend themselves because no shop owner wants to fork over a large check unless they think you can be convinced otherwise, or have a lawyer breathing down their neck...

 

[SkidPalace]

Haha yeah they have to be removed to replace the front wheel bearing. They claim that the work they did on the front wheel bearing had nothing to do with the lower ball joint. (the LBJ wasnt work that they did). But technically, they did have to reinstall the hub and lower ball joint to the lower control arm meaning they did work on the LBJ. But of course these are things you think of afterwards.

Like I said, get yourself a good lawyer. Give them this thread to read.
The goal is not to go for the jugular like some kind of lowlife suing for profit, but you certainly have been put through a lot of hassle and monetary loss.
You still have to buy a new runner and bring it up to your former runner's glory. That doesn't come free. You will probably cry when you get the check from your insurance company. The shop OWES you for their negligence. They have an insurance company that would rather settle for a few grand than go through a lengthy (expensive) legal battle.
Not just that, but you could have been KILLED very easily. These people need to be held accountable.

 

[GbRunner]

Like I said, get yourself a good lawyer. Give them this thread to read.
The goal is not to go for the jugular like some kind of lowlife suing for profit, but you certainly have been put through a lot of hassle and monetary loss.
You still have to buy a new runner and bring it up to your former runner's glory. That doesn't come free. You will probably cry when you get the check from your insurance company. The shop OWES you for their negligence. They have an insurance company that would rather settle for a few grand than go through a lengthy (expensive) legal battle.
Not just that, but you could have been KILLED very easily. These people need to be held accountable.

The whole being killed thing hit me yesterday (noo im not being one of those big babies) My uncle call me at the last minute to go have a bbq at his place so I took the next exit. Otherwise id be on the highway doing 100.

They replaced the wheel bearing on the 13th. They should have seen that the ball joint was bad because I asked for an INSPECTION, and they have to remove the ball joint to get to the hub.
Ball joints just dont pop out all willy nilly, there had to be signs that they missed.

 

[Nelsonmd]

The whole being killed thing hit me yesterday (noo im not being one of those big babies) My uncle call me at the last minute to go have a bbq at his place so I took the next exit. Otherwise id be on the highway doing 100.

They replaced the wheel bearing on the 13th. They should have seen that the ball joint was bad because I asked for an INSPECTION, and they have to remove the ball joint to get to the hub.
Ball joints just dont pop out all willy nilly, there had to be signs that they missed.

Out of curiosity, where is the vehicle now? If you are not talking to a lawyer, you might want to see if you can get someone (an authority on the subject) to inspect it to confirm what went wrong with the LBJ. Eventually, if court happens, it will have to be inspected by an engineering consultant. They wouldn't come cheap, but you need to get yourself a hand to play against the shop and their insurance company.

There is a good chance that your insurance would rather give you a piddly check instead of pursuing the shop negligence too (since you weren't hurt and the losses are relatively low right now).

 

[GbRunner]

There is a good chance that your insurance would rather give you a piddly check instead of pursuing the shop negligence too (since you weren't hurt and the losses are relatively low right now).

My truck is in a secured compound that only I or the insurance company(I believe) can have access too. My insurance company said they would investigate and took down the shops insurance and policy number.

I have all the evidence (invoices) and pictures that I need if I need to go to court. I just have liability on my truck so I wont get any money for it if it was deemed my fault. I truly beleive that it was shop negligence and they should be responsible to replace my vehical. I would hate for this to happen because they are great guys but something needs to be resolved. Either I or someone els could have been killed or seriously injured. Luckily and I dont know how (it was rush hour traffic) I didnt even scratch an other car.

By the way, went to the hospital yesterday, just to get checked out and Im completely fine. Those 4runners are pretty tough, and very safe. I know that first hand ha.

 

[peter78]

By the way, went to the hospital yesterday, just to get checked out and Im completely fine. Those 4runners are pretty tough, and very safe. I know that first hand ha.

That is very good news. Really remarkable, considering you hit a pole at a good clip.

 

[runrunner]

If your insurance company has the info than they will be looking into possible negligence. Trust me, they want their money back. I used to adjust claims so I know all about it.

It looks like there was some damage to the pole you hit so that will probably have to be replaced. If its the city doing it will cost about 10x what it should.

Depending on the amount of damage (4runner/property) + possible injury they may want some sort of forensic engineer involved. However, the last time I used one on what I thought was a slam dunk case it turned up inconclusive. Waste of thousands of dollars...

Edit: Nevermind, I just read that you have liablility only. Your insurance company may not have much interest aside from the possible property damage and hospital visit.

 

[GbRunner]

If your insurance company has the info than they will be looking into possible negligence. Trust me, they want their money back. I used to adjust claims so I know all about it.

It looks like there was some damage to the pole you hit so that will probably have to be replaced. If its the city doing it will cost about 10x what it should.

Depending on the amount of damage (4runner/property) + possible injury they may want some sort of forensic engineer involved. However, the last time I used one on what I thought was a slam dunk case it turned up inconclusive. Waste of thousands of dollars...

Edit: Nevermind, I just read that you have liablility only. Your insurance company may not have much interest aside from the possible property damage and hospital visit.

Shouldn't their insurance company replace the amount of the truck if they are deemed responsible even if I only have liability? Considering they were the ones who caused the accident? Its just like someone running into me and I have liability. Their insurance pays the bill?
Just curious to hear your opinion because you have experience in claims. Im not looking for a for sure answer, just some guidance.

 

[RonMAIDEN]

Driving 100mph in your 4Runner? Seriously that's pretty dumb and endangering lives regardless;definetly a good thing the accident happened at a slower speed or you would've been killed and involved possibly many others;slow down.

 

[VaWoodpecker]

Driving 100mph in your 4Runner? Seriously that's pretty dumb and endangering lives regardless;definetly a good thing the accident happened at a slower speed or you would've been killed and involved possibly many others;slow down.

He means 100 KPH not MPH (~62 MPH)

 

[GbRunner]

Driving 100mph in your 4Runner? Seriously that's pretty dumb and endangering lives regardless;definetly a good thing the accident happened at a slower speed or you would've been killed and involved possibly many others;slow down.

Like mentioned above, im talking 100km/h. Do 4runners even go that fast lol?

Speed kills, kids...

 

[GbRunner]

Humm, depending how this turns out, would anyone be interested in buying a scrapped 4runner? (all tires/rims are still golden! Ill even throw in a rotor, caliper, and half an axle with one wheel combo, for free!)

 

[steezemcqueen]

Speed kills, kids...

speed doesn't kill. its the stopping really quickly that gets you

 

[runnyrunnerton]

throw it on the classifieds and begin the part out. Just keep it current and tell folks what you have left thats good and the forum will descend on it like a pack of vultures. Remember you still have good parts on there. They may take a while to sell but it can be done.

 

[Nelsonmd]

Humm, depending how this turns out, would anyone be interested in buying a scrapped 4runner? (all tires/rims are still golden! Ill even throw in a rotor, caliper, and half an axle with one wheel combo, for free!)

If insurance is investigating, then it is probably going to be in statis for a while. They (and you) certainly don't want any evidence sold or destroyed.

Yes, if it is deemed their fault, then their insurance will pay for your truck and any other damage (assuming it is 100% their fault). If it isn't deemed their fault, then you are out the truck, not sure about the pole damage, I think that would be covered by your liability, as long as you have a high enough limit to cover the damages. Plus since you have liability only, you will get to keep the truck. Usually if insurance pays for a totaled car they take the car.

I have been surprised by the amount of money insurance companies have paid to avoid court, even when it looked like a slam dunk in their favor.

Where are you located?

 

[brian2sun]

I work for a big insurance group and the shop's commercial business insurance should cover the entire thing. Most companies tend to have at least a million in liability. The pole is debatable whether it would fall on yours or their's, but I would fight to have their's pay for everything otherwise your rates will probably go up ~30% on your policy renewal just for having a claim.