Yesterday I routenly took my Max in for an oil change and they took a sample of my auto tranny fluid and it looked a brownish dark color. they said its supposed to be clear and recommended that i do a tranny flush or something else. Is this worth it? I have 131000 miles on the car and bought it around 115k so i've never had the tranny fluid changed.

On another note, later that night my buddy borrowed my car to go into the city and it was snowing pretty badly. he said he lost control on ice and the front left wheel/tire straight went right into a curb. the wheel was pushed way back against the inside of the fender and wouldn't roll or turn easilly. it's also kind of tilted. he had AAA and towed it to a shop and were waiting until Monday to find out what all is broken.

What kind of repairs are we looking at? the tow man said something about the wishbone being smashed but idk what that means or if its expensive.

 

I'd like to know about the tranny fluid as well. My car sat outside for 2 cold days at a shop, and when I drove it away the tranny was slipping like MAD (car is garaged 100% of the time). It drove perfectly two runs later, however. Tranny fluid has never been changed, but it shifts like a champ normally. Would two days outside at 0 deg. F do that to it, or is this a sign to change the tranny fluid?

Don't mean to jack your thread, I'd just like to know this as well

 

good choice on those rims man, I have those myself

i did the self-flush at 130,000 as outlined in the fluids & lubes forum, and refilled with mobil 1 synth. i've heard mixed opinions on the power flushes offered by the lube shops. most of what i've heard and read advises against those flushes, citing tranny problems later on. but i'm not sure why he told you it's supposed to be clear, lol, it's supposed to be a pinkish color. Mine was brownish before i flushed, too. Been about 5 months, and everything's been great. I know that it's probably much too cold now to work on your car yourself, but you can save a decent amount of money by flushing it on your own. A power flush around here is around 125-150.

Sorry to hear about your car.

 

honestly we can't tell u anything until u actually know what is wrong with ur car, can't just guess from what AAA said, because they're not looking under it... so let us know when u know for sure...

 

This sounds like it has something to do with the steering rack. the steering column might be bent.. but again this really depends on how the car hit the curb.

 

doesn't really matter...you're buddy is going to be paying for it i'm sure. But you're looking at around at least $350 no matter really what it is. could be the control arm, steering rod, axle. Just be thankful he didn't hurt the tranny...

 

Get the tranny flushed or do it yourself ASAP. It's supposed to be done every 30k miles.

The higher your mileage gets without a change the more likely a problem will develop after the fluid is changed.

 

Most cars have busted up outer tie rods when they hit a curb. I think thats the weakest point and it would cause the tire to push inside the fender.

 

I'd suspect the lower control arm is bent. Also check the tie rod and steering rack mounts. Not difficult to repair unless there's damage to a body component. I'd guess closer to $500. If they are going to replace bushings then I'd have them replace them symmatrically or there could be a difference in handling/feel left to right.

 

clear tranny fluid ? first i heard of that. Tranny fluid for autos is red (unless you get that purple junk.) manuals are a light yellow color (75w-90) gear oil.

most likely you bent the A arm.