Thread: bent control arm ?

Hi,

My 2002 gp gt 170k miles was sideswiped in October. The accident required replacement of some suspension parts (control arm, tie rod) and an alignment. Afterwards, the alignment still wasn't perfect (seemed to be toe in) but I did not want to spend more to further correct. Since then, toe in condition has gotten progressively worse, to point where now tires screech when I make slightest turn to right. I am hoping that maybe a new alignment will straighten car out, rather than having to replace more parts. I took the attached picture of my passenger side lower control arm where it connects (i think), and it sort of looks bent down. Can any experts tell me if it looks bent, or is it supposed to look that way? (btw, it looks similar on other side of car, too)

Thanks in advance for any help,
Tom
right_lower_control_arm.jpg

Thanks for the quick responses. I forgot to mention I also got new tires after accident -- after 3 months, tires were down to cords on outer side. From what I just learned about aligments from autorepair.about.com , this can be a symptom of positive camber. Guess I just need to bring for front end inspection.

Originally Posted by Drunkie

Bill is right can't tell anything from that picture, but if the car is jacked up the control arm will point down as that is how it moves up and down.

Despite that having a slightly bent down LCA will not really affect toe, more so camber. Seems like your tie rod is shot and the guy couldn't make the right adjustments on the tie rod for the toe. Just my thoughts

...or like most places, jackasses don't take their time to dial in an alignment, its done as quick as possible. Thats you find a shop in your area you can trust and talk to the guys to take their time and dial in an alignment for you.

Like most places, those jackasses get it done as fast as possible because they don't get paid enough to sit there and take their time with it making sure every single detail is perfect.

Originally Posted by lbc187

Thanks for the quick responses. I forgot to mention I also got new tires after accident -- after 3 months, tires were down to cords on outer side. From what I just learned about aligments from autorepair.about.com , this can be a symptom of positive camber. Guess I just need to bring for front end inspection.

If the camber on that side was out far enough to eat the tires alive like that, you would have a massive steering wander/pull to that side (the vehicle will pull to the side with more positive camber, generally with a .5 degree or more of a difference). That being said, if you are not experience a considerable pull to the side with the tire messed up, I would say your toe is way off.

But again, diagnosing your car over the internet is next to impossible/useless. Get a visual inspection and obviously get the alignment checked to see what's going on with those angles. The alignment should be free and considered a comeback if you are experiencing tire wear of that effect a few months after an alignment was performed.