Expert: Michael Kakuk - 5/4/2010

Question
Dear Mr. Kakuk, I own a 2006 Nissan Altima and was in a minor accident about a month ago. I was side swiped along the front passenger fender and front passenger outer door skin along with the LF wheel being damaged (scuffed badly). Since picking it up from the body shop the front passenger power window now lightly sticks or pinches go down or up. The problem with this is it didn't do this before and the car vibrates badly after 70 MPH. I just put on brand new Michelin's MXV4's and they claim the tire could be bad. My main question to you is when they replaced the outer door skin and put the window trim back on it now pinches going up and down. They claim its the window regulator on the in side which I know very well it's not as I dont usually roll the windows down. I think some how it's pinching by the outer trim or slightly off track a bit. Oh! They supposedly put on a new LF wheel as well but its not near like it was before I took it in. I need your expert advise and would be glad to give you any further information pertaining to this problem. There's only 44,000 miles on her too. Thanks so much for your time. Richard

Answer
IT COULD BE THAT THE WINDOW GLASS RUN CHANNEL WAS DAMAGED IN THE ACCIDENT.
IF YOU WENT THROUGH A INSURANCE COMPANY CALL THEM AND ADVICE THEM OF THE PROBLEMS YOU ARE HAVING.

IF THE SHOP IS A DIRECT REPAIR SHOP FOR THAT INSURANCE COMPANY THEN THEY WILL HAVE THE CAR MOVED TO ANOTHER SHOP AND REPAIRED PROPERLY.

AS FAR AS A 70MPH VIBRATION GOES.....THE TIRES HAVE TO BE HIGH SPEED BALANCED AND THEN ROAD TESTED.
THE VIBRATION SHOULD NOT BE PRESENT. IF IT IS STILL THERE YOU HAVE SUSPENSION DAMAGES THAT WERE NOT DETECTED.  THE CAR SHOULD HAVE HAD AN ALIGNMENT DONE IF THE WHEEL WAS REPLACED. IF IT IS ON THE ESTIMATE ASK THE SHOP FOR A COPY OF THE SPECS.