Broken Knuckle from small curb

dobsthedon · 11-14-2016, 12:37 AM

I hope I am posting in the right section...
Last night I hit a small curb that I didn't see when it was dark and rainy.
I kind of tried to turn last second to avoid and ended up hitting it with my front right tire first at an angle.

Ended up pulling over and having to tow my car home because there was something clearly wrong and it was like I was running 10 degrees of negative camber.

I take the wheel off and the knuckle is broken in half?!

This seems to be the only thing broken on my car, and as far as I can tell my wheel isn't even curbed because I hit it with the tire first. My front bumper popped off in the corner but it popped right back in after I pushed it back.

I have an extended warranty through a third party. My question is do I try to go through warranty or should I just purchase a new knuckle and be done with it. As far as I know this piece shouldn't fail how it did. I will likely just purchase a replacement but was wondering my chances of it being covered by a warranty. I suppose my best bet is to call them to see what is covered, but has anyone else had this fail on them?

Thanks in advance.

Snapchat 674301247 - Sendvid

I hope these work...

SouthArk370Z · 11-14-2016, 06:07 AM

File a warranty claim if you want but I'm betting they will call it something like abuse (ie, your fault) and deny.

Your vehicle/liability insurer may pay if you file a claim with them.

YMMV

JARblue · 11-14-2016, 08:12 AM

Warranty company will not cover that damage if they know what happened.

Insurance will definitely cover it (assuming you have collision coverage). The question is whether parts and labor are significantly more than your deductible. If they're near the same, it's probably better long term for you to take the financial hit now than give your insurance reason to raise your rates.

Zbrah · 11-14-2016, 11:42 AM

There is a guy who is parting out pieces of a Z in the classified. See if he would let that part go, probably cheaper than going through insurance and you may have better luck than filing a warranty claim. You must've have curbed it pretty hard to take a big chunk off like that. I would also have a shop do an inspection to make sure nothing else got damaged.

Zbrah · 11-14-2016, 11:45 AM

Here ya go PARTING OUT OEM BLACK 370z 2009

Karnak · 11-14-2016, 01:00 PM

If hitting a curb did that, i really suspect your rim/Wheel may have issues too cause usualy from my experience (yes I hid a few curbs in my life) the Wheel, bishings or balljoints etc take the beating. For something like this to be broken, if nothing else is damaged, then I would seriously consider this a defect in manufacture. There is no way imo that a part that big can crack like that without having other additional dmg somewhere on the rim/Wheel, tab bushings, balljoints etc,etc. at least I have never seen it myself. But like others said, its always a game between the dealer and Customer when it comes to warranty issue, so at that point its your call, but I would probably try it.

nis350 · 11-14-2016, 11:31 PM

yeah... agree.. it has to be a hard hit and the weakest part cracked/broke. I would check the rest of the suspension for damages as well.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Karnak

If hitting a curb did that, i really suspect your rim/Wheel may have issues too cause usualy from my experience (yes I hid a few curbs in my life) the Wheel, bishings or balljoints etc take the beating. For something like this to be broken, if nothing else is damaged, then I would seriously consider this a defect in manufacture. There is no way imo that a part that big can crack like that without having other additional dmg somewhere on the rim/Wheel, tab bushings, balljoints etc,etc. at least I have never seen it myself. But like others said, its always a game between the dealer and Customer when it comes to warranty issue, so at that point its your call, but I would probably try it.

dobsthedon · 11-15-2016, 12:16 PM

Thanks guys. I will certainly take in to get inspected after I put the new knuckle in. I am hoping to pick one up from the part out thread above. If not I will just order online. I don't think I will try to deal with the warranty company for this one. The car is already at my house on jacks ready to put the replacement in.

cv129 · 11-15-2016, 10:57 PM

This has actually happened before. A member totaled his car when this piece snapped during a corner. No impact, just high cornering load. Possible it's a bad batch/metal contamination...he was on coilovers and Hankook RS3's.

Sorry to see. Best of luck. Before filing any claim, may be proper to switch back to OEM spring and dampers for show.

Here is the thread Bye Bye Family.... :-( (Pic and tear heavy)

Karnak · 11-17-2016, 03:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cv129

This has actually happened before. A member totaled his car when this piece snapped during a corner. No impact, just high cornering load. Possible it's a bad batch/metal contamination...he was on coilovers and Hankook RS3's.

Sorry to see. Best of luck. Before filing any claim, may be proper to switch back to OEM spring and dampers for show.

Here is the thread Bye Bye Family.... :-( (Pic and tear heavy)

That's interesting to know.Anyone know if using Poly bushing on tab arms etc could also enhance the road noise/vibration transmitted and possibly enhance the possibility of such arm cracking? I'm thinking in the line that both cars here appear to have had Coilovers, could it be that coilovers increases forces transmitted through the arms when setting them harsher than the OEM suspension pushing the arms beyond their engineered limits creating these issues? You'd still think the engineering limits would be far enough for this not to happen but maybe not. Just throwing my

.

cv129 · 11-17-2016, 12:37 PM

Suspension arms should not break, period.

dobsthedon · 11-17-2016, 05:38 PM

yeah...honestly didn't hit it that hard at all...I was really surprised when I got out of my car and it looked like i was running 15 degrees of negative camber

BlackCherry Z · 11-26-2016, 03:29 AM

The part that broke on your Z was recently replaced on my Z and I can tell you I paid out $885.00. That did include a 4 wheel alignment as well. I don't know if this was a fair price but if your insurance deductible $ amount is significantly lower, A claim may be the way to go. This may be considered a chargeable collision with your insurance company so it could affect rates as well. You will need to decide what's best for your situation. BUT.... I really don't think your extended warranty company will cover the damage. Mine was grooved/micro cracked from a collision by a previous owner & the factory warranty could not be used in my case. Good luck! PS: I hope your wheel bearing/hub assembly is OK. Mine may also need replacing.

Boss_302 · 11-30-2016, 01:44 PM

If you want to save money on parts , try e-bay, there are some good salvage yards selling good used 2015, 2016 parts that are like new at half the cost. Have gone this way to find Nismo parts to upgrade my Z. found some good deals and have not been disappointed. its worth a check out. good luck.

Zbrah · 01-06-2017, 03:34 AM

If you haven't found a replacement check these parts out Random nismo factory parts

11-14-2016, 12:37 AM	#1 (permalink)
dobsthedon Base Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Washington Posts: 57 Drives: 2011 Nismo 370z Rep Power: 9	Broken Knuckle from small curb I hope I am posting in the right section... Last night I hit a small curb that I didn't see when it was dark and rainy. I kind of tried to turn last second to avoid and ended up hitting it with my front right tire first at an angle. Ended up pulling over and having to tow my car home because there was something clearly wrong and it was like I was running 10 degrees of negative camber. I take the wheel off and the knuckle is broken in half?! This seems to be the only thing broken on my car, and as far as I can tell my wheel isn't even curbed because I hit it with the tire first. My front bumper popped off in the corner but it popped right back in after I pushed it back. I have an extended warranty through a third party. My question is do I try to go through warranty or should I just purchase a new knuckle and be done with it. As far as I know this piece shouldn't fail how it did. I will likely just purchase a replacement but was wondering my chances of it being covered by a warranty. I suppose my best bet is to call them to see what is covered, but has anyone else had this fail on them? Thanks in advance. Snapchat 674301247 - Sendvid I hope these work... Last edited by dobsthedon; 11-14-2016 at 12:43 AM.

11-14-2016, 06:07 AM	#2 (permalink)
SouthArk370Z Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: South Arkansas Posts: 8,435 Drives: 2014 Challenger Rep Power: 324197	File a warranty claim if you want but I'm betting they will call it something like abuse (ie, your fault) and deny. Your vehicle/liability insurer may pay if you file a claim with them. YMMV __________________ Steering Lock Links - Search The370Z Bookmarklet - FSM @ NICOclub Mankind has progressed past the need for war but we haven't evolved that far. - NachoMahma

11-14-2016, 08:12 AM	#3 (permalink)
JARblue A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Austin, TX Age: 43 Posts: 36,449 Drives: 11 Z34, 98 E36 M3 Rep Power: 2684440	Warranty company will not cover that damage if they know what happened. Insurance will definitely cover it (assuming you have collision coverage). The question is whether parts and labor are significantly more than your deductible. If they're near the same, it's probably better long term for you to take the financial hit now than give your insurance reason to raise your rates. Z-Girl 12 and old guy like this. __________________ 2011 370Z 6MT Sport Gun Metallic \| ARC \| CJM \| Ecutek \| FI \| Fujimura \| R2C \| SPL \| Stillen \| TWM \| Z1 \| ZSpeed \| Last edited by JARblue; 11-16-2016 at 07:07 AM.

11-14-2016, 11:42 AM	#4 (permalink)
Zbrah A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2013 Location: The370Z.com Posts: 4,956 Drives: 370Z Rep Power: 5451	There is a guy who is parting out pieces of a Z in the classified. See if he would let that part go, probably cheaper than going through insurance and you may have better luck than filing a warranty claim. You must've have curbed it pretty hard to take a big chunk off like that. I would also have a shop do an inspection to make sure nothing else got damaged. __________________

11-14-2016, 11:45 AM	#5 (permalink)
Zbrah A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2013 Location: The370Z.com Posts: 4,956 Drives: 370Z Rep Power: 5451	Here ya go PARTING OUT OEM BLACK 370z 2009 Memphis370Z and dobsthedon like this. __________________

11-14-2016, 01:00 PM	#6 (permalink)
Karnak Base Member Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Gatineau, QC, CA Posts: 47 Drives: 2017 370z TS 6 speed Rep Power: 8	If hitting a curb did that, i really suspect your rim/Wheel may have issues too cause usualy from my experience (yes I hid a few curbs in my life) the Wheel, bishings or balljoints etc take the beating. For something like this to be broken, if nothing else is damaged, then I would seriously consider this a defect in manufacture. There is no way imo that a part that big can crack like that without having other additional dmg somewhere on the rim/Wheel, tab bushings, balljoints etc,etc. at least I have never seen it myself. But like others said, its always a game between the dealer and Customer when it comes to warranty issue, so at that point its your call, but I would probably try it. Last edited by Karnak; 11-14-2016 at 01:04 PM.

11-15-2016, 12:16 PM	#8 (permalink)
dobsthedon Base Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Washington Posts: 57 Drives: 2011 Nismo 370z Rep Power: 9	Thanks guys. I will certainly take in to get inspected after I put the new knuckle in. I am hoping to pick one up from the part out thread above. If not I will just order online. I don't think I will try to deal with the warranty company for this one. The car is already at my house on jacks ready to put the replacement in. Zbrah likes this.

11-15-2016, 10:57 PM	#9 (permalink)
cv129 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 3,190 Drives: 09 Nismo, 16 Nismo Rep Power: 159827	This has actually happened before. A member totaled his car when this piece snapped during a corner. No impact, just high cornering load. Possible it's a bad batch/metal contamination...he was on coilovers and Hankook RS3's. Sorry to see. Best of luck. Before filing any claim, may be proper to switch back to OEM spring and dampers for show. Here is the thread Bye Bye Family.... :-( (Pic and tear heavy) JARblue, Zbrah and Karnak like this. __________________ Setrab \| RE-71 \| SPL \| JRZ \| Nismo \| ARK \| Whiteline \| RacingBrake \| CJM Oil Pan \| Ti shield Last edited by cv129; 11-15-2016 at 11:10 PM.

11-17-2016, 12:37 PM	#11 (permalink)
cv129 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 3,190 Drives: 09 Nismo, 16 Nismo Rep Power: 159827	Suspension arms should not break, period. __________________ Setrab \| RE-71 \| SPL \| JRZ \| Nismo \| ARK \| Whiteline \| RacingBrake \| CJM Oil Pan \| Ti shield

11-17-2016, 05:38 PM	#12 (permalink)
dobsthedon Base Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Washington Posts: 57 Drives: 2011 Nismo 370z Rep Power: 9	yeah...honestly didn't hit it that hard at all...I was really surprised when I got out of my car and it looked like i was running 15 degrees of negative camber

11-26-2016, 03:29 AM	#13 (permalink)
BlackCherry Z Base Member Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 49 Drives: 2016 370Z BC A7 Rep Power: 8	I just had this very work done at my local dealership The part that broke on your Z was recently replaced on my Z and I can tell you I paid out $885.00. That did include a 4 wheel alignment as well. I don't know if this was a fair price but if your insurance deductible $ amount is significantly lower, A claim may be the way to go. This may be considered a chargeable collision with your insurance company so it could affect rates as well. You will need to decide what's best for your situation. BUT.... I really don't think your extended warranty company will cover the damage. Mine was grooved/micro cracked from a collision by a previous owner & the factory warranty could not be used in my case. Good luck! PS: I hope your wheel bearing/hub assembly is OK. Mine may also need replacing.

11-30-2016, 01:44 PM	#14 (permalink)
Boss_302 Base Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: NY NY Posts: 150 Drives: 11 Nissan 370z S Mt Rep Power: 12	If you want to save money on parts , try e-bay, there are some good salvage yards selling good used 2015, 2016 parts that are like new at half the cost. Have gone this way to find Nismo parts to upgrade my Z. found some good deals and have not been disappointed. its worth a check out. good luck.

01-06-2017, 03:34 AM	#15 (permalink)
Zbrah A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2013 Location: The370Z.com Posts: 4,956 Drives: 370Z Rep Power: 5451	If you haven't found a replacement check these parts out Random nismo factory parts JARblue likes this. __________________

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