Maxceler8

Well, it snowed yesterday morning and I unfortunately stll had my Blotenza's still on (I have steelies & snow tires in the damn garage). I was going like 5-10mph and I COULD NOT STOP for the life of me. I ended up hitting a curb with my wheel turned, so it hit it at a bad angle. I had to put on the spare because it was rubbing pretty bad on the wheelwell. My TE wheel is curbed pretty bad too.

How much suspension damage is possible from a hit like that? My bf said probably at least tie-rods, but possibly control arm and he's unsure whether ball joint or bearing damage is possible. Its at Belle Tire right now, and I hope I dont have to make an insurance claim. My deductible is $500 and my rates finally are below $200/mo, and this will def make them go back up.

I'll get some pics up later today

mdloops

I would recommend taking the car to a AAA certified shop ONLY. If you do have to make a claim, which you probably should, then you want the shop to get it right the first time. The wheel could be bent, control arm, tie rod, bearing, new tire possibly. It all adds up. Go to AAA.com and you can find certified shops near you. DO NOT take it to a tire shop. Those places are the worst. I have learned my lesson. The type of mechanics that work at those little shops like Monro Muffler do crappy jobs when it comes to analysis or what needs to be replaced. Good luck.

Mark

Maxceler8

I know what you're saying, and I agree. I had to take it somewhere & park it, and Belle Tire was close. They havent done anything to it yet. I am gonna call my ins tommorow andsee what shops are in their reccomended list.

BRAN808

iTrader: (1)

Sorry to hear that. Any accident sucks, no matter how small. It all depends at what angle the wheel and tire hit the curb as well as the speed too. I work at a collision repair shop, and we get cars towed in to our shop all the time with suspension damage, as well as body damage. Your insurance company will generally refer you to preferred shop that is part of their DRP program. (At least in Hawaii, that's what it's called. Direct Repair Program). They'll write up an estimate, as far as what they can see, but many times with suspension damage it is very difficult to see until the obvious parts are replaced, then the car is taken for a wheel alignment. After looking at the readings, you can generally tell where else to look for damage. Try and see if they can provide you with a copy of the wheel alignment specs, just to verify that all aspects are within the proper tolerances.

Maxceler8

Like I said it hit with the wheel turned to the left and the curb hit the sidewall, so it definitely bent something. I was only going like 5mph, but it was enough speed that it jumped the curb. Out of curiousity how much does it cost to replace a tie rod, because I can see that the outer is visibly torqued a little bit.

03tgtmaxima

welcome to the club same this just happened to me about 2 months ago if you were only got 5 or ten you might be ok. when you were driving how far off center did it knock the steerig wheel off. mine was a half turn to the right ( i hit left tire ) . i have been told that ii bent a strut mount and the steering knuckle havent heard of that part so i am thinking it might be a lowe control arm. took it to a shop and they put a camber kit and aligned it the best they could. pull to the left a bit but not that bad. tie rod i have no clue let me know what it entails i need to fix mine

desperado_45

It could be a few things but most likely the tie rod and possible the stearing knuckle. Take it to a couple of different places (not sears) and get them to look at it. The part shouldnt be over $75; call a few places like napa. There is no need to by the one from the stealership. Labour shouldnt be over 2 hours plus an alignment. Heck I can put one on in about 2.5 hrs.
Just call and find out what they will do if you make an ins. claim.

BRAN808

iTrader: (1)

I went into our estimating program and an oem outer tie rod and labor would probably run you about $100. Sight unseen, hard to say if anything else is damaged. Typically, when you slide into a curb, ( Once again depending how fast and at what angle) the tie rod is the first to go, then also the knuckle and lower control arm, as well as the strut too.

NewLoveI30

Same thing here.

I got alligned and am still pulling a bit to the right. I have not had a chance to take off the wheel and check things out yet, but I guess I will have to see.

Im taking my car back to the shop to get new tires this weekend (obviously they suk), and I will have them look at the allignment again.

Teufelhunden

iTrader: (8)

same thing happend to me but mine was in the rain, my rims were done, i bent the struts, lower control arm and a knuckle, everything came out to be like 1500, so i had to put in a claim, i hate blowtenzas, im getting falken 512 pretty soon, better invest in new tires, those stock tires are dangerous on wet and slow conditions.

Maxceler8

Sorry for not updating sooner, but here's the major components needing replacement so far:

Wheel - $225 (replica, looks good)
Hub assembly - $150
Bearing - $68
Lower control arm - $190
Strut - $233
Stabilizer rod - $21
ABS sensors - $300
New Blowtenza's

So far with parts/labor its $2500. They took it for the final inspection & drive today and noticed a noise coming from the trans area. Its gonna be taken to the dealership on monday to see if there is any axle damage.

R.I.P. Grandma

ouch that really sucks, hope everything works out.

bsetiawan

iTrader: (43)

While you are at it, you may wanna get aftermarket struts like Tokico Blue. They are like $300 for all 4. I'm sure they are better than getting the factory struts even though they are for SE model.

BRAN808

iTrader: (1)

That seems like more than 5-10 mph damage.

03tgtmaxima

i hope mine isnt that much i was only given an estiment of
900

Maxceler8

Well, they are only replacing the one strut so its not like they are replacing all four. Plus, I dont even have the extra money to buy the struts because I'd want to do springs at the same time.

And yeah I'm surprised at the amount of damage also, but I guarantee you I was going no more than 10mph. It was VERY snowy/slushy out, and I already knew how ****ty the Potenza's are in bad weather.

reygarcia

iTrader: (9)

man, that sucks big time

00MaxSE

iTrader: (25)

Wow, sorry to hear that. But $233 for ONE strut?? Geez...