Is my car totaled?

Tiny
SNQUAKENBUSH
  • MEMBER
  • 2003 HYUNDAI ELANTRA
  • 13,000 MILES
Hello,

Earlier today I made a sharp turn into a parking space, and immediately after I noticed something was wrong with my steering wheel and alignment. I backed out of the space and pulled back in and noticed as I turned my steering wheel (with ease) the car itself was not turning smoothly as it should, it was trying to turn but kept jerking and tugging and not quite making the turn. I pulled back into my parking space and tried to figure out what exactly happened when I pulled into the parking space. I checked my power steering fluid, and that was fine, and full. I checked my belts, they were also good. As a last resort I got in my car and turned my steering wheel all the way to the left, got out, looked at my front right tire and it was straight (the left however was turned accordingly). I got back in my car and turned the steering wheel all the way to the right, once again my right wheel was in the same spot, facing straight ahead as if my steering wheel wasn't turned at all, and my left wheel was turned accordingly.

What do you think happened to my car? Is my axle broken? Or is it something else? How much do you think this will cost me?

- Shelbie
Saturday, February 18th, 2012 AT 2:06 AM

5 Replies

Tiny
BILLYMAC
  • MECHANIC
  • 2,204 POSTS
Hi lol no your car is not totaled what has happened is a tie rod has broken this is not an expensive fix prob 60.00 part and 1 hrs labor plus the cost of a alignment.
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Saturday, February 18th, 2012 AT 2:12 AM
Tiny
SNQUAKENBUSH
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Oh my goodness, that's great news! Thank you! I'm assuming it isn't safe to drive to a mechanic? I don't live far from one, but I'm nervous to take it anywhere with one wheel not turning.
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Saturday, February 18th, 2012 AT 2:18 AM
Tiny
BILLYMAC
  • MECHANIC
  • 2,204 POSTS
No you cannot drive it to mech has to be towed or replaced right there. Good luck
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Saturday, February 18th, 2012 AT 2:20 AM
Tiny
SNQUAKENBUSH
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Thank you so much for all your help!
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Saturday, February 18th, 2012 AT 2:21 AM
Tiny
BILLYMAC
  • MECHANIC
  • 2,204 POSTS
YOUR WELCOME
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Saturday, February 18th, 2012 AT 2:45 AM

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