Msquared
Well-known member
Hi everybody; I've been a member of this forum since I got my Leaf in July 2012, but I don't frequently post. However, I just wanted to share a recent experience with you, just so you can know what to expect in case this happens to you. I drive a 2012 Leaf SL, BTW.
In Portland we had a snow storm, where I couldn't even get out of my driveway for a couple of days (hilly), and eventually did with chains. The chains were $99 at Les Schwab.
Then, the roads cleared but there was still slush on the sides. I took my chains off. I'd been driving all day under these conditions with no problems, but toward the end of the day, I got a bit lazy around a curve right near my house, and it also being downhill, I started sliding sideways toward a curved curb (concave). My Leaf slammed into the curb sideways, the front passenger side wheel taking the brunt of the impact, but the rear also hitting.
Long story short, it was a miracle that there was no body damage done, but of course the front wheel now looks like total shizzle. Looks like Cookie Monster took a munch out of the edges. The rear wheel had a small, more tolerable scrape on the edge. I felt sick, but was glad I didn't hurt anyone, myself, or dent my car.
However, after digging my car out of the snow literally with my hands, I skidded back onto the clear part of the road and noticed a loud sound coming from the wheels. The dealer was closed at this time, so I had a tire place check it out for initial safety inspection. No broken control arm, brakes were fine, etc. We figured it was probably the bearing at this point. I'd driven a '92 Nissan Stanza for about 4 years in college, part of the time having had bad bearings (hey, I was broke), so I knew this sound all too well.
Took it to the dealer, Nissan of Portland, the next day and sure enough, they diagnosed it as the front right bearing, just from a test drive. So I dropped her off the next day, they lent me one of the lot cars (a Juke) for free, and I paid $216 down for the part, and then was to pay another $216 after the install.
Well, they called me that evening and educated me that the front bearing was complete toast, as suspected, blasted into 10 pieces. BUT, the rear bearing would also need replaced, as it was also noisy. And, for the same cost as the front. Well, I don't have that kind of money, so I will be waiting until my tax return for the rear replacement; luckily they said it is not as severe and I will probably be fine for a couple of weeks until I can get it fixed. FTR, I am married but have my own bank account, don't use credit cards, and my husband doesn't want me to rack up his, either. So wait it will be.
Oh, and I didn't mention my car is a lease, so I will be needing to also repair or replace at least the front rim before the lease period is over. I love my Leaf but I plan on giving it back after the lease is over, most likely for a newer Leaf or comparable electric car. All said and done, this repair process will cost me over $1000. I thought about reporting it to insurance (my deductible is $1000) but I don't want my rate to go up.
For now, I'll be carefully driving my Leaf with a chewed wheel and howling right-rear bearing for another couple of weeks until Uncle Sam delivers my tax return, then hopefully I can right my wrong to poor Elektra Pearl.
In Portland we had a snow storm, where I couldn't even get out of my driveway for a couple of days (hilly), and eventually did with chains. The chains were $99 at Les Schwab.
Then, the roads cleared but there was still slush on the sides. I took my chains off. I'd been driving all day under these conditions with no problems, but toward the end of the day, I got a bit lazy around a curve right near my house, and it also being downhill, I started sliding sideways toward a curved curb (concave). My Leaf slammed into the curb sideways, the front passenger side wheel taking the brunt of the impact, but the rear also hitting.
Long story short, it was a miracle that there was no body damage done, but of course the front wheel now looks like total shizzle. Looks like Cookie Monster took a munch out of the edges. The rear wheel had a small, more tolerable scrape on the edge. I felt sick, but was glad I didn't hurt anyone, myself, or dent my car.
However, after digging my car out of the snow literally with my hands, I skidded back onto the clear part of the road and noticed a loud sound coming from the wheels. The dealer was closed at this time, so I had a tire place check it out for initial safety inspection. No broken control arm, brakes were fine, etc. We figured it was probably the bearing at this point. I'd driven a '92 Nissan Stanza for about 4 years in college, part of the time having had bad bearings (hey, I was broke), so I knew this sound all too well.
Took it to the dealer, Nissan of Portland, the next day and sure enough, they diagnosed it as the front right bearing, just from a test drive. So I dropped her off the next day, they lent me one of the lot cars (a Juke) for free, and I paid $216 down for the part, and then was to pay another $216 after the install.
Well, they called me that evening and educated me that the front bearing was complete toast, as suspected, blasted into 10 pieces. BUT, the rear bearing would also need replaced, as it was also noisy. And, for the same cost as the front. Well, I don't have that kind of money, so I will be waiting until my tax return for the rear replacement; luckily they said it is not as severe and I will probably be fine for a couple of weeks until I can get it fixed. FTR, I am married but have my own bank account, don't use credit cards, and my husband doesn't want me to rack up his, either. So wait it will be.
Oh, and I didn't mention my car is a lease, so I will be needing to also repair or replace at least the front rim before the lease period is over. I love my Leaf but I plan on giving it back after the lease is over, most likely for a newer Leaf or comparable electric car. All said and done, this repair process will cost me over $1000. I thought about reporting it to insurance (my deductible is $1000) but I don't want my rate to go up.
For now, I'll be carefully driving my Leaf with a chewed wheel and howling right-rear bearing for another couple of weeks until Uncle Sam delivers my tax return, then hopefully I can right my wrong to poor Elektra Pearl.
