Messed up my front alignment (maybe more???)

[Minihaha]

Hey got a question and looking for advice:

This morning I hit a square curb at about 10-12MPH (don’t ask, me being dumb!). I hit it *bad*. Front right(passenger side) wheel.
Huge "CLUNK," it was so bad I figured, “there goes my rim.” It didn't though, so I went ahead and drove the rest of the way in to work (about 20 miles (17+ of that highway)) without stopping to check until I got to work. Wheel and tire show no damage.

However: my alignment was noticeably off, immediately, but less than I’d have thought from the blow, I mean it was a *SMACK*. I thought I might have felt an imbalance too, if the rim had bent (it didn’t). In order to drive straight though I now had to turn the wheel a few degrees (I attempted to illustrate it in the diagram I drew up (though it’s exaggerated in the drawing in order to convey the intent) please see, below).

Here’s what I do know:
1. alignment it now off specification
2. right-side wheel is now in a dislocated position in wheel well (measurements in diagram)

I measured the wheels’ gaps to the body and noted it in the diagram (I have aftermarket wheels and tires – so don’t take the measurements to be stock but to illustrate that they are no longer “matching” side to side).

What I am worried about is that I hit the curb so damn hard I may have bent or displaced the suspension components…

Given your experiences how likely is it that:
1. Suspension components are bent to point that I need new ones?
2. It’s probably just alignment components, don’t get too stressed?
3. If #2, can a wheel be literally displaced in the wheel-well and still be fixed just by alignment components?
4. Where to take it?

#4 is a pretty big concern. I loathe the dealership, but maybe they’ll know this car better? I am hesitant about a “Firestone” alignment because, well it might as well be Wal-Mart (IMO). I am not in a big city so I don’t have any independent tuner/racer shops that might “know” suspension. What I am after is a quality diagnosis and a quality fix. Not some yahoo who just follows instructions from a book/screen and may have been flippin’ burgers last week…

Input, analysis and suggestions appreciated!
Also - FWIW if how I drive/treat the car helps: I hoon my Mirage, I am not afraid to push it (I've had it on the track twice already), most people would characterize my driving as very aggressive, I have fun in the car and "wring it out," I don't overly worry about any 'new' creak or squeak or rattle; I just *really* walloped the poor guy this time and am looking for advice

[inuvik]

You very well could have bent some components. Any decent body shops in the area that have alignment capability?

[MetroMPG]

Bummer! My suspicion is you bent the control arm.

Hopefully Old Mechanic gets his eyeballs on this thread because this topic is right up his alley.

[3dplane]

Metro is correct! You bent the control arm. Go have your toe set to keep from tire wear until you can replace the control arm,or just do it all at one shot because toe will have to be reset with the new control arm as well.
Caster on the right side is reduced with the bent control arm which does not eat tires but the whacked out toe is going to eat the front tires so I would take care of that at least if you are not ready to fix it all right now.

[Minihaha]

Metro is correct! You bent the control arm. Go have your toe set to keep from tire wear until you can replace the control arm...take care of that at least if you are not ready to fix it all right now.

Thanks - this is the input I am interested in!!

I am going to craw under the front this afternoon and have a look (take some pics if something is apparent), maybe gauge if a new control arm is a task I can handle (not sure if it involves pressing bearings... ). Thanks for the advice on the toe issue. I am thinking you and Metro likely hit it on the head, now to figure out where to get the alignment (and maybe the control arm too) done.

Control arm = "A" arm ?
Anyone have a schematic they could label?

BTW - 3dplane - I tried to message you to bring this to your attention but you're all full-up, you cannot receive any messages until you get rid of some, fyi.

Concurrences, disagreements, alternative diagnoses welcome.

[cyclopathic]

Bummer! My suspicion is you bent the control arm.

Hopefully Old Mechanic gets his eyeballs on this thread because this topic is right up his alley.

I am afraid it could be more than that. Many years ago a friend of mine ran into curb (hit the brakes too!) and they had to re-align frame. I am surprised car was not totaled at that point.

It could be bent control arm, tie rod, strut, frame or all above it will take a specialist to see what exactly. If it is relatively minor it could be the alignment all you need.

Make sure you have rim checked, I bang a curb in similar situation (to my defense in was in the snow and car just slid straight) and rim was bent out of round. Perhaps try other wheel to see if it changes gaps.

[deleted user]

Loosen the front lower control arm bolt, see if it's bent (head wobbles when you turn it). Otherwise good advice above. Bigger problem if you hit the control arm bolt itself, possibly tweaked front subframe.

Keep us advised.

regards
mech

ps got your pm

[3dplane]

Mirage bent control arm story... This "lady" brings her mirage in for service where we see that the front tires are gone and with the left front tire straight the right front is sitting back inches from center in the wheel well. (bent rim as well)

She is told that she needs a control arm,alignment,rim and tires due to the damage where she must have hit something.And it is not warranty due to the obvious damage,so she would have to pay for it.

Well she demands it under warranty because she only hit a curb and they should have built it stronger....- nope,damage is not covered. Later she decided to have it fixed.

Btw. A-arm is a control arm but not on a car like the mirage.
It is also hard to visually see/identify a bent control arm because they are manufatured with nothing but curves. No straight part of it to see where it is bent. And it takes very little amount of bending for them to make the alignment readings way out.

Usually when the bent one and the new one is lined up on top of each other (as good as one can line them up) the difference is hardly noticable.

[91cavgt]

I am afraid it could be more than that. Many years ago a friend of mine ran into curb (hit the brakes too!) and they had to re-align frame. I am surprised car was not totaled at that point.

It could be bent control arm, tie rod, strut, frame or all above it will take a specialist to see what exactly. If it is relatively minor it could be the alignment all you need.

Make sure you have rim checked, I bang a curb in similar situation (to my defense in was in the snow and car just slid straight) and rim was bent out of round. Perhaps try other wheel to see if it changes gaps.

I agree completely with this.


Several years ago I was showing off how well my Cavalier cornered with a friend in the car. I took a corner just a touch wide and ended up in the gravel on the outside of corners and ended up jumping a curb, almost sideways, at about 40 mph. It destroyed a wheel and more importantly it bent a control arm.


Here is something to think about if it is in fact a bent control arm. Even if you are able to adjust the alignment to allow you to keep driving it, that part has now been stressed beyond it's design capabilities. This means that hitting a pot hole, another curb, or even a speed bump at the wrong angle or speed can cause the control arm to bend further which could then do even more damage. You could end up with a damaged CV joint boot(not a huge deal), damaged CV joint(more expensive), a shifted subframe, or potentially even a bent subframe or even bent subframe mounts.

So basically, get it checked out ASAP. It could be a minor easy fix or it could be something a lot more intense that can cause more damage and not be too safe to keep driving.

[Minihaha]

I took some pix of the suspension, nothing obviously bent (not too surprised)... I will post and label what I know and hopefully the 'control arm' can be discerned/ identified. An alignment and inspection is in order, will set up for later this week and update.
Thanks all.