Really guys is it possible to bent your frame via a bent control arm? I ask this question because about a month ago I hit a deep pot hole, matter of fact a damn sink whole here in nyc. I wasn't going fast nor did I see it, I hit the hole at about 25mph maybe 30. Anyway I heard a loud bang to only pull over and see that my passenger front wheel was bent back. That extremely but enough to where if you make a full right turn the wheel will rub against the wheel well.

In that event I bent my control arm, cool. I replaced the control arm, bushings and sway links on the passenger side.

Now my problem is that I am getting a slight vibration from the front end. Nothing serious and it is only evident bet 25 and 30 mph. Before and after those speeds the car is fine, pulls great no vibration at high speed whatsoever. No vibration when braking.

My mechanic don't know what the hell is causing it, I got the tires balance about 4 times already and rotated still the samething although I've noticed that before the rotation the vibration was alot evident on the passenger side of the vehicle.

Maybe its a slightly bent rim? I'm on stock se wheels.

Well my mechanic says maybe the frame is slightly bent thus causing the vibration. He also said that since I have a brand new control arm on the passenger side and the orginal on the driverside, that the newer control arm is much stronger than the driverside control arm and that most of the stress is being handled on the passenger side instead of distrubting it evenly.

I ask my fellow orgers what do you think?

 

it's possible to have a swayed frame if the hit was hard enough but don't think that's the cuase of the problem. did the contol arm come with a new ball joint?

 

First thing I'd do is check that your wheel isn't out of true. If you hit a pothole hard enough for it to bend your LCA there's a good chance it did a number on your wheel as well.

 

Nah it didn't come with one.

 

Ok cool, I am in the process of buying a set of 17in oem wheels off a org member hopefully this will be cured because I can't thing of any other possible reason why I am getting this vibration between 25 and 30 mph but not at any other speeds.

 

Agreed, check that wheel. Mount it on a rear hub and spin check it. Maybe keep it on a rear if it is bent. Have a better balancer try and weight it aginst the tire best they can.

 

You know your right maybe its a bent wheel hub, I'm definitely going to get to the bottom of it.

Thanks

 

get the city to pay for your car damage...

 

Did you replace your tire??? There is a thing called a Roadforce variance...if a band in the tire is snapped or out of place it would cause a vibration...this could've happend during your accident

If you think it's the tire or rim then rotate tires from front to rear and test drive to see if vibration changes from your steering wheel shaking(shaking steering wheel means one of the front tires are the suspect) to the seat under you shaking(this would signafy that the rear tires are the suspect) ... If nothing changes...then sorry...good luck...

If you have the equipment...
First check tire assymble balance on balance machine...
Check rim offset using a balance machine that offers it....
Check Roadforce Variation using a balance machine that offers it...

 

PS...I don't think your mechanic knew what he was talking about with the arms being different strengths and the weight distribution...plus...no frame damage will cause a vibration...It'll cause severe tire wear patterns(you'll have cupping or feathered treads on the inner or outer areas of the tread... and possible tire seperation at certian extreme cases...

 

not going to happen.