Expert: Bill Milbert - 11/17/2009

Question
QUESTION: I was in an auto accident last year and it has been repaired, but my past experience with accidents is that thethe chassis is usually never the same and has kind of a weird bouncy/grinding sound when going slowly over bumps; I'm sure you know what I'm talking about.

I am stuck with this car for another 3 years but I wanted to jazz it up a little bit and at the same time tighten up or somewhat fix the chassis.  

Can you give me some ideas, such as jacking it up, maybe better shock absorbers, bigger tires, whatever, etc.  

thanks

ANSWER: Sorry Michele but you will have to be a little more specific. Year,Make,Model. What area was damaged and the extent etc.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: 2006 Chrysler PT cruiser.. the front part of my car including the radiator and A/C was damaged and the whole front replaced.. now it has this loose chassis/metal sound when going slowly over small bumps.. sounds okay when travelling faster..

just wanted to know what I can do to the under carriage to improve this condition and/or jazz the car up a little, such as jacking the car up, maybe I need better shocks or maybe even bigger tires, etc..

thanks

Michele

Answer
THE PT CRUISER IS A UNIBODY STRUCTURE,THAT CARRIES A "H" or BOX TYPE SUBFRAME. YOUR ENGINE AND
TRANSAXLE SIT ON THIS FRAME WHICH IS ATTACHED TO THE UNIBODY WITH AT LEAST FOUR 18MM BOLTS.
  THESE BOLTS COULD BE LOOSE, OR WORKED THEMSELVES LOOSE IF THEY WEREN'T PROPERLY TORQUED WHEN
YOUR CAR WAS REPAIRED. ALSO CHECK TO SEE IF THERE ARE WORN OR MISSING RUBBER MOUNTS BETWEEN THESE BOLTS.
  OTHER POSSIBILITIES COULD INCLUDE OR BE MOTOR AND TRANSMISSION MOUNTS AND HARDWARE/EXHAUST AND
TAILPIPE MOUNTING HARDWARE OR STRUTS.
         HOPE THIS HELPS, BEST OF LUCK BILL