Ok, I have an 06 Chevy Colorado. I was getting ready to rotate the tires for the second time (it was at 15,500 miles), when I noticed the tires saw toothing on the inside. So I took it into the dealership and they found an inner tie rod to be at fault, but its been on back order for over 2 weeks. I asked them for compensation for the tires since now they are going to be about worthless (I have put over 1000 miles on it since then, and will be taking a 1500 mile trip next week). They said they dont think it will be covered since coverage on the aligment only last for the first 7500 miles. I argued that the tie rod caused the alignment to be messed up and wore my tires funny, but they still wont cover the alignment. Am I right? The tie rod adjusts the toe correct? Is it the toe or the camber that would cause in the inside of the tires to saw tooth? (feels smooth in one direction, but ruff in the opposite).  

You have a 16k mile truck that they won't warrenty?  I'd be raising some ***  

oh, I am. But Im gonna make sure Im arguing from the right points. Make sure I know what Im saying so I don't say something that they will be able to prove wrong. Im pretty sure I got them on this. The tie rod screwed the alignment, not my fault. I rotated the tires before this and didnt notice tire wear, so between 7 and 15,5 is when it happened. So I just need proof that the tie rod caused the miss alignement and tire wear. So is a saw-toothed tire wear a sign that the tie rod was screwed up?  

can anybody back me on this?  

I worked for the service departments at a GMC/Pontiac Dealership as well as a Ford/Mercury Dealership and with the exception of the Ford Exploder *cough* Explorer recall the dealerships never replaced tires, brakes or clutches under warranty after about 5000 miles, maybe 7000. Alignments nearly so as well unless as you say there was a defective part that necessitated an alignment after the work was perform then the alignment was covered under warranty.  Any bad alignments from the factory should be caught well with in 5000 miles.  

If I am understanding your problem right, they have not changed the tie rod yet, and they certainly will not do an alignment for free with a bad part on it.  It will be done when the part is in stock.  It is always inconvenient when parts are on back order, but such is life, it is out of their hands and yours.  Tire shops may honor a warranty of tires they sell but it is pretty much expressly excluded from new vehicle warranties because they are considered wear and tear items.

Like on performance parts, the companies will warranty their part that failed but will not replace anything else it may have damaged during the failure. (like say a broken oil pump shaft, can't get Mellings to pay for a siezed engine...)

But one thing I did learn at the dealerships is that with enough bitching to the service advisor and they usually cave in, but 15,000 miles is about double what they would normally go for.  

My Two Cents, Good Luck.  

What worked for me.  Not even close to the same problem but the same scenario.  I have a  2006 Crown Vic.  Bought it used with about 13,000 miles on it from a dealer.  Move out of state (away from dealer where I purchased it) and my wife starts complaining that she feels like she it sitting in hole (no stupid joke please!) when the car gets to about 28,000 miles.  I had a couple of folks that are knowledgeable in this sort of thing look at it and all of them tell me that it look like the seat cushion has collapsed.  Anyway I took it to my local dealer and he said they wouldn't do anything because he couldn't see the problem.  I called Ford's  customer service line and they said they wouldn't get involved but that I should try a different dealer and suggested one about 20 miles away (I live 10 miles from anywhere).  I know that Ford sent a message to the dealer that I was coming and what the issue was.  Anyway, the end of the story is that the other dealer fixed the problem and my wife no longer complains about her seat. Guess where I'll be buying my next car?  I would try both tactics.  Call GM and ask or another dealer and if you don't get any satisfaction go to a different dealer on your own.  Remember that dealers get paid to fix warranty problems and this is I think still a pretty slow time of year for them.  

I agree, you car always try another dealership. If you can find one that sells tires too you have a better chance because typically they have to outsource to get tires.  

I'm sure any dealer would love to do the tie rods then the alignment because GM does pay them, but GM will not pay for tires, that comes out of the dealership's pocket unless they use some under the Warranty Radar method of getting GM to pay for it(like claiming the tires were on a newer truck, etc). Typically if they can get the manufactor to pay for it they jump on it because it's a guaranteed sale.  

I find it best to just walk into the new car showroom and start talking very loudly about the problems that I am having. I did this on my 2002 GMC flatbed that had the 6.0L motor in it. After about 10,000 miles the motor sounded like the valves need adjusting, which it ended up being a noise form the pistons because they don't have shirts. Anyway after complaining about it and them telling me it was normal, I went into the new car showroom and started asking questions why their motors start knocking after 10,000 miles and was pretty loud about it. A manager came out to find out what I was talking about and after telling him what was up, he called GM and got my warranty extended to 100,000 miles. The fact is if you don't like what your service adviser is telling you go to the next guy up the ladder, and if you can't get anywhere that way, call GM direct. The have very good customer service.  

I know its a typo...but pistons not having shirts is kinda funny...  

Hey that's what I'm here for, you know to give you a good laugh.  

Well, the oil pump issue you brought up should be a different type of warrenty. Since they didnt install the part, they cant pay for whatever else broke. On this hand, GM is the only one to touch the vehicle, beside me changing oil and rotating tires. Since they installed the part that failed, they should be the one to fix it and whatever else it damaged for free. Im sure if the tie rod broke on my trip and wrecked the truck, GM would be buying me a new truck. To the point tho, does a tie rod control toe, and if so, does it make the tire saw tooth wear when defective. thanks  

To answer your point, yes the tie rod does control toe, and yes it creates the wear your see on your tires.

As for the tie rod breaking on your trip and wrecking the truck your insurance company would pay for it not GM unless a recall was/is made because there is no way to prove it was defective from the manufacture or abused by the owner except if there is statistical proof that other similar vehicles are breaking the same way, hence a recall.

The thing is warranties do not apply to wear and tear parts of the vehicle, and tires are considered wear and tear, along with brakes, clutches, paint, fluids, filters, belts, etc.  Also tire alignments are considered maintenance, like fluid changes and tire rotations.  

Basically you would have to prove you never hit a pot hole, curb, dirt road, etc in 15,000 miles, all things that can wear out/break any steering component. Not too many people would buy that didn't happen at some point after 15,000 miles.  Some say it only takes one decent hit to knock the alignment out.

I wish you luck, but this is what I have seen from their point of view.  

It interesting how people don't realize what is covered by warranties. I have had idler arms and tie rod ends covered by the manufactures warranties. Remember the warranty is to insure that the car has no defects for so many miles and years. If you tierod end breaks it is covered under the warranty for the simple fact that the part failed. It just like if your trany lost 1st gear or your engine blew, it would be covered under the warranty. As for the tierod breaking, it should be very simple to determain how it failed.

As I see it the reason they are giving you a hard time is because there was an accident, and they will have to pay out even more money because of it. So basically they are giving you the run around. Like I said I would call the manufactures Customer Service and file a complaint. Trust me the manufactures take care of there own. Or at least GM does.  

I think the accident was a hypothetical scenario.  And I completely agree and said, tie rods are covered under warranty, they should be more than happy to change them out for him and align the truck after they are changed.  If I remember right the tie rods are on back order, which is part of the problem.  My understanding is the wear on the tires being covered is whats in question.  

well, it was a two part question. Now I do know the tie rod controls toe and can cause the kind of wear I have. The tire thing is still up in the air, along with the alignment. I think that since I have a bumper to bumper warrany, they should pay for any damages caused by their defective product. Also, my truck has rack and pinion steering, is there an inner tie rod, I was thinking there was just the outer, but there might be an inner one on the rack, no sure. thanks