Think my Mechanic made a BIIIG mistake, please help!!

[contactbsm]

I hope this is in the right place, it's my first post so any help is GREATLY appreciated.

I have a '97 Mountaineer AWD. I took it in to have the lower ball joint replaced. When my mechanic drove the car out to pick me up from work, I heard a clunking sound (thought it was a lug nut come off in my cap).

Turned out to be the axle nut.

Mechanic put the piece in his pocket, and had me drive about 10 miles to the shop to finish paperwork, and put the nut on.

I then drove another 16 mile round trip to pick up my son from daycare (had not choice, they were about to close!), and the vehicle felt funny....felt like seriously dragging, wouldn't accelerate, making noise on braking.

Went back to shop, they put it on a lift, and said it seems to be stuck in 4 Lo, but they were not able to fix it, or figure out what needed to be done.

Can anyone please let me know what possible solutions might be? What damage can be done by the axle nut coming off, and driving on it?

Local dealer actually LAUGHED when I called them, but said it's sad not funny....anyone with suggestions or ideas, or even info about what damage this could cause, PLEASE HELP!!!

 

[Joe Dirt]

Honestly? It's really simple- call your mechanic, tell him to send a towtruck to pick it up, and let you know when it's fixed free of charge. He F'd up your truck, it's on him to fix it if this is the whole story...

 

[storlied]

You don't have 4lo.

It's something else.

 

[trucku]

^^^^ +1

The mechanic needs to fix your truck. If he says otherwise call the better business bureau.
They had it last before this happened. How are they unable to find out what needs to be done. Are they mechanics or *****!o
Point them to this forum so they can fix your truck for free


Keep us posted on what happens.

 

[storlied]

First off I'd have him double check the axle nut. [torque spec]

Then go from there as others have suggested.

 

[Turdle]

Whoa!
There were some v6 Mounty's with 4 lo

 

[storlied]

He has AWD, which = V8. Unless he has a special truck. =P

 

[Turdle]

Why don't we ask the original poster.

Do you have a switch near the radio for 4wd?

 

[techieman33]

He has AWD, which = V8. Unless he has a special truck. =P

Just because he's says he has AWD doesn't always mean that he does. I can't even count all of the times I've seen the v6 guys call their automatic 4wd AWD by mistake.

But if it was in 4-low I doubt he would be complaining about lack of acceleration, that thing would take off like a rocket ship.

 

[storlied]

True.

I didn't know the 2nd gens had the Auto 4x4 option. I thought it was 2wd, 4 low, 4 high.

 

[techieman33]

Yeah, I just can't remember if they went to auto 4x4 in 97 or 98. I'm thinking 97 though.

 

[Mbrooks420]

In 97 they lost 2wd.

 

[JoeMahma]

Well, He's got a 97 Mounty so it should be AWD...no 4 lo. I agree with taking it back to your inept mechanic and let him figure out what is wrong with it free of charge although I would be afraid to let him touch it anymore for fear that he might screw something else up. If he refuses to look at it remind him there is always small claims court to recoup the amount of money it costs you to have another mechanic fix his goof. Good luck man.

P.S. after rereading your post, check to make sure your brake caliper is attached correctly. Kinda sounds like your brake pads might be hung up.

 

[techieman33]

Well, He's got a 97 Mounty so it should be AWD...no 4 lo. I agree with taking it back to your inept mechanic and let him figure out what is wrong with it free of charge although I would be afraid to let him touch it anymore for fear that he might screw something else up. If he refuses to look at it remind him there is always small claims court to recoup the amount of money it costs you to have another mechanic fix his goof. Good luck man.

P.S. after rereading your post, check to make sure your brake caliper is attached correctly. Kinda sounds like your brake pads might be hung up.

there were v6 mountaineers with 4wd, just not that many. And because he didn't immediately shoot down that it couldn't be in 4-low there's a reasonable chance that it's a v6 with 4x4. But none of that really matters since the mechanic should be responsible for fixing the problem whatever it might be.

 

[Mbrooks420]

I'd guess that at least 30% of Mountaineers were v6's. The Mounties are much more likely to be v8's than Explorer's, but v6 Mounties certainly aren't rare. I would think it is a problem with your brakes. What kind of braking noise? I'd calmly tell the mechanic that he needs to figure out the problem, and fix it. If he refuses go to another shop and get an estimate.

 

[410Fortune]

if you drove your truck 16 miles in low range you would know it, 45 mph would be hard to come by in 4 low

V8 = full time AWD, no 4 low
V6 = has 4 low

Let us know what happens, I would be PISSED

 

[lifeguard379]

i dono if the wheel bearings are like jeeps. but if they are and the nut came off. i wouldn't drive the car till its fixed. the stub shaft and nut hold the wheel bearing together. with out it you could do this.

 

[410Fortune]

his 97 truck the wheel nit he speaks of is not holding the wheel on, it is holding the CV axle inside the wheel hub. It is the CV axle retainer nut and it is to be torqued to 200 ft lbs. Driving without this in place would likely destroy the CV shaft IMO

 

[CDW6212R]

No, actually it would not have any forces on the axle. The nut keeps the hub bearings all intact, without it the hub bearings could come apart. Then the wheel would be off, with the hub.

The first Mountaineers were almost entirely V8, the V6's didn't become popular for a couple of years. It would be a strong bet that it is a V8 and AWD. I would look hard at the hub and brakes there. Regards,

 

[lifeguard379]

No, actually it would not have any forces on the axle. The nut keeps the hub bearings all intact, without it the hub bearings could come apart. Then the wheel would be off, with the hub.QUOTE]

thats what i was talkin about. and what hapind in the pic.