Damage guesses?

[stephen newberg]

OK everyone, time to put in your best guess before I head off to the garage tomorrow to use their lift. Yesterday while in the parking lot to get gas, I got backed into by a fellow not bothering to look before he came out of his parking spot. The main impact was on the driver side front tire and wheel. The top of the tire is now well pushed in and I have a -lot- of camber.

The car is driveable, though once it is to the lift I doubt it will go anywhere else until fixed. The steering wheel is well off centered and obviously the alignment is quite gone with a heavy pull to the right. So, best guesses as to what suspension & steering components are going to need replacing are invited. We can make it a contest with public bows to the closest estimate after actual determination.

Fun With Cars, eh?

pax, smn

 

[Mr Anonymous]

It's probably all in a bent a-arm, but iiwm i'd still replace the inner tie rod, tie rod end, and take a good long look at the strut.

 

[cjdavid]

so why would it matter? since he backed into you, why not take it to a body shop for the fix? why is the offensive backer not paying to fix your car?

 

[JSIL1]

Id say get a quote from a repair shop, collect the payment, and do the work yourself and pocket the labor portion.

 

[93rev2sev]

My guess as to what will be replaced/repaired to fix it.
Spindle
Wheel
Strut
Tie rods/ends
Fender
Corner light
Light bar
Headlight
Caliper (maybe)
Rotor (maybe)
Pads (maybe)
perhaps subframe. (where the control arm sits).

 

[JSIL1]

By light bar...do you mean the header panel?

also if you want an OEM tie rod end link. Ill give you one I have, just pay shipping, or do as I did and grab one from the junk yard.

 

[stephen newberg]

so why would it matter? since he backed into you, why not take it to a body shop for the fix? why is the offensive backer not paying to fix your car?

Here in British Columbia, we have a no fault insurance system, so who was the 'offensive' driver does not come into play.

Good guesses coming in, and I am looking forward to more in our 'contest'. Stick to steering and suspension components, though. There would be a bit of body work, but without giving everyone a photo, it would not be fair to be guessing on that, and likely I will do it myself anyway.

pax, smn

 

[stephen newberg]

No more guesses? I think Chris is likely the winner. The a-arm and the strut are definately toast, just on visual exam. I suspect the tie rod end and inner rod will be gone too.

The big other questions will be spindle and wheel bearing. The insurance paperwork gets filled out Thursday morning and by that afternoon the car should be back in the air and getting taken apart to find out for sure about the other parts.

I will keep you informed.

pax, smn

 

[stephen newberg]

Well, she is back and everything is excellent after some back road and some highway testing. The strut and the a arm were the only casualties, it turns out. The tie rod problem did not appear, nor was there damage to the axle or spindle. However, with 160K+ on the original struts, I bought a new one for the other side at my cost, so I am trying to look at it as having gotten new struts at half price.

pax, smn