Just TODAY got mine done.
At first, I didn't feel too confident in the probability of the dealership doing it without a big fight. They insisted that the diagnostic process included mainly the inspection of the tires for irregular wear. While I agreed this was the SIMPLEST method of making a positive diagnosis, that it in no way should be used as a negative diagnosis. What if I had just purchased NEW tires? There would be no evidence of Control Arm issues on NEW tires.
Either the parts are the new, correctly shaped ones (with the "C" on them), or they're not. Also, taking the current alignment numbers would likely show the issue.
In fact, with this fear of hassle already well ingrained in my mind, I was waiting until the end of my factory warranty to get this done - to ensure that the tires had worn (cupped inside) enough that anyone "should" be able to make the right diagnosis . That could've been a big mistake, as I was busy handling other issues around that time - and cruised right on by 36K miles!
I DO have my HondaCare Extended warranty, but these are notorious for not including certain items that you'd think should be included.
My service advisor told me (yesterday) that I should wait at the shop for a diagnosis, and that they then could order the parts, as they apparantly were out of stock. No mention of whether this would or would not be covered under the HondaCare or general goodwill or out of my pocket. I let it go, figuring I'll fight that battle once the diagnosis is made.
So, in I go this morning, at 7:30. First, they couldn't find the service appointment, but after briefly re-telling my issue, a different service advisor wrote it up. This advisor seemed stunned that I was planning on waiting, stating that I needed to leave it overnight. "For this upper control arm diagnosis" I asked. "I find that hard to believe that it could take so long. Just look at the rear tire-wear, or drive it at speed to hear the droning. Heck, just look at how squat it sits." She then said "well it's take a couple of hours, at least." So I said OK, if that's what it takes, I'm waiting - and they whisked my car away at about 8am.
About 90 minutes later, my original service advisor visits me, and he says that the TSB DOES apply to me, it's COVERED under the HondaCare warranty, and lo and behold, they DO have the parts. They had already started the replacement of the control arms when I spotted my car. A full 4-wheel alignment was also done. They were done at 11:15am. And this included a state inspection. So 2-3 hours is about right once they can get started on it.
My invoice looks very similar to Colby's (post 1), with the same part numbers, but actually mentions the TSB "S/B# 08-001". I signed something for the HondaCare warranty to take care of the costs. I think it would have cost $340 or so, total. No charge to me, except for the state inspection.
So, while confusing and iffy all along the way (at least from the service advisors' initial opinions), I will recommend Lute Riley Honda, Richardson, TX 75080, 972-437-4145.
And, again, thanks to Colby (and others) for organizing this thread so well.
EDIT: almost forgot, my alignment #s:
Before Measurements:
Front -
Camber: 0.1 Left/ 0.0 Right (in tolerance)
Caster: 6.5 Left/ 6.4 Right (in tolerance)
Toe: -0.13 Left/ -0.12 Right (out of tolerance)
Steer Ahead: -0.01 (in tolerance)
Rear -
Camber: -0.7 Left/ -0.6 Right (in tolerance)
Toe: 0.33 Left/ 0.23 Right (out of tolerance)
Thrust Angle 0.05 (in tolerance)
After Measurements:
Front -
Camber: 0.1 Left/ -0.1 Right (in tolerance)
Caster: 6.5 Left/ 6.9 Right (in tolerance)
Toe: 0.01 Left/ 0.01 Right (in tolerance)
Steer Ahead: 0.00 (in tolerance)
Rear -
Camber: -0.8 Left/ -0.7 Right (in tolerance)
Toe: 0.08 Left/ 0.08 Right (in tolerance)
Thrust Angle 0.00 (in tolerance)
Re: Negative Camber Problem; What You Need To Do To Get The Upper Control Arms Replac
Re: Negative Camber Problem; What You Need To Do To Get The Upper Control Arms Replac
Re: Negative Camber Problem; What You Need To Do To Get The Upper Control Arms Replac
