Potential Rear Suspension Damage - advice?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 540
Likes: 0
From: Prosper TX
Potential Rear Suspension Damage - advice?
Don't ask how but I managed to slide the `08 convertible into (and then over) about a 5-6" curb. knocked the front (drivers side) way out of alignment and will have to replace the brace that includs the little runners in front that hit first when you park.
On the back, just the drivers side, I will be replacing my rear wheel but its also "bent in" on the leading edge - enough so the inner edge of the tire is almost (or is) touching the inner wheel well where the air duct comes in. With my mechanic, we looked closely and can't see what is bent. Its possible its just whacked out of alignment but we both think something is bent.
Wondering if anyone has any experience and "places to look first". The car goes into the shop next week and I'd like to give him some ideas on key places to look.
Thanks in advance!
On the back, just the drivers side, I will be replacing my rear wheel but its also "bent in" on the leading edge - enough so the inner edge of the tire is almost (or is) touching the inner wheel well where the air duct comes in. With my mechanic, we looked closely and can't see what is bent. Its possible its just whacked out of alignment but we both think something is bent.
Wondering if anyone has any experience and "places to look first". The car goes into the shop next week and I'd like to give him some ideas on key places to look.
Thanks in advance!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 6,149
Likes: 11
From: Greater Detroit Metro MI, when I'm not travelling.
I'd want to pull the control arms and the tie rods and check those first. My guess is that at the very least the tie rods are bent.
Last edited by PowerLabs; Oct 1, 2009 at 10:53 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 5,328
Likes: 405
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 6,149
Likes: 11
From: Greater Detroit Metro MI, when I'm not travelling.
Supporting Vendor
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 11,216
Likes: 178
From: Pensacola Florida GO GATORS!!! www.rlsebring.com www.c6c7vette.com
St. Jude Donor '17
My first step would be to take to someone that already knows what and where to look. If I had to tell my mechanic what to do He better be paying me.
Don't ask how but I managed to slide the `08 convertible into (and then over) about a 5-6" curb. knocked the front (drivers side) way out of alignment and will have to replace the brace that includs the little runners in front that hit first when you park.
On the back, just the drivers side, I will be replacing my rear wheel but its also "bent in" on the leading edge - enough so the inner edge of the tire is almost (or is) touching the inner wheel well where the air duct comes in. With my mechanic, we looked closely and can't see what is bent. Its possible its just whacked out of alignment but we both think something is bent.
Wondering if anyone has any experience and "places to look first". The car goes into the shop next week and I'd like to give him some ideas on key places to look.
Thanks in advance!
On the back, just the drivers side, I will be replacing my rear wheel but its also "bent in" on the leading edge - enough so the inner edge of the tire is almost (or is) touching the inner wheel well where the air duct comes in. With my mechanic, we looked closely and can't see what is bent. Its possible its just whacked out of alignment but we both think something is bent.
Wondering if anyone has any experience and "places to look first". The car goes into the shop next week and I'd like to give him some ideas on key places to look.
Thanks in advance!
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,276
Likes: 5
From: Ambler Pa.
Don't ask how but I managed to slide the `08 convertible into (and then over) about a 5-6" curb. knocked the front (drivers side) way out of alignment and will have to replace the brace that includs the little runners in front that hit first when you park.
On the back, just the drivers side, I will be replacing my rear wheel but its also "bent in" on the leading edge - enough so the inner edge of the tire is almost (or is) touching the inner wheel well where the air duct comes in. With my mechanic, we looked closely and can't see what is bent. Its possible its just whacked out of alignment but we both think something is bent.
Wondering if anyone has any experience and "places to look first". The car goes into the shop next week and I'd like to give him some ideas on key places to look.
Thanks in advance!
On the back, just the drivers side, I will be replacing my rear wheel but its also "bent in" on the leading edge - enough so the inner edge of the tire is almost (or is) touching the inner wheel well where the air duct comes in. With my mechanic, we looked closely and can't see what is bent. Its possible its just whacked out of alignment but we both think something is bent.
Wondering if anyone has any experience and "places to look first". The car goes into the shop next week and I'd like to give him some ideas on key places to look.
Thanks in advance!
Last edited by REVAK; Oct 2, 2009 at 07:49 AM. Reason: spelling
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 3,712
Likes: 3
From: TEXOMA
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
id bite the bullet and file an insurance claim and take it straight to GM. I did the same thing in my RX7, ended up fixing, new rear diff, new front strut, repaint the 3 fenders and had to replace 3 wheels 2200 bucks. but i only paid 500 for deductible and chalked it up to a learning experience.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,492
Likes: 808
From: West coast CA
If the wheel is so grossly toed-in that it's rubbing the fender liner, it should be _obvious_ which components are seriously damaged. I second the motion to find another mechanic, especially because once the big damage is identified, the rest of the suspension needs to be inspected carefully.
The rear tie rod is probably bent, and its attachment point on the rear subframe may be cracked. Those aluminum components took a big hit. If in doubt, replace.
The rear tie rod is probably bent, and its attachment point on the rear subframe may be cracked. Those aluminum components took a big hit. If in doubt, replace.
