Buick LaCrosse has little ground clearance. This is not good in a truck happy state like Oklahoma. My mechanic showed me the aluminum frame underneath the car. Besides the numerous scars from impacts with high curbs and low pot holes, on the passenger side he pointed out hammer impact dents where apparently someone had tried to knock the frame back up. He also showed me the result of the engine sitting lower on the pass side was wear on the axel, the boot being knocked out of alignment, and grease leaking out all over the place. He said another 1000 miles and I would need a new axle. He also said putting in a new engine cradle would not permanently solve the problem because engine torque would cause it to bend again. This is a pretty looking road car but unless you're a shade tree mechanic and have the tools there don't seem to be any simple repairs!
Buick LaCrosse has little ground clearance. This is not good in a truck happy state like Oklahoma. My mechanic showed me the aluminum frame underneath the car. Besides the numerous scars from impacts with high curbs and low pot holes, on the passenger side he pointed out hammer impact dents where apparently someone had tried to knock the frame back up. He also showed me the result of the engine sitting lower on the pass side was wear on the axel, the boot being knocked out of alignment, and grease leaking out all over the place. He said another 1000 miles and I would need a new axle. He also said putting in a new engine cradle would not permanently solve the problem because engine torque would cause it to bend again. This is a pretty looking road car but unless you're a shade tree mechanic and have the tools there don't seem to be any simple repairs!
- C J J., Oklahoma City, OK, US