I crashed my car into a low wall yesterday (no women driver jokes please!) which caused my front left side tyre to burst and has left a big dent to the bottom of the wheel arch. Anyway since then ive changed and had new tyre put back on the alloy but the steering is veering to the left and there are some not usual metal noises coming from underneath. Ive had it looked at by 2 mechanics so far, one says all is fine and the other saying i could have bent the suspension arm as the tyre is off center and tyre is rubbing on inner wheel arch when i turn. Ive also just read on line that the frame may just need re-aligning?? If this makes any sense to anyone?? Any help from mechanics or people who have been in this situation would be very much appreciated!..I have an 03 plate Citroen Picasso by the way.
Take the car to an independent shop that does front end repairs and alignments.
Tell them about the accident and explain what your current concern is.
You may have bent a tie rod or a spindle.
In any case, after the repair is complete, you WILL need an alignment performed.
Take it to a shop that will put it on a lift and inspect the undercarriage. Specifically, the front left suspension. You probably did bend something and will need it replaced, then an alignment.
It sounds like the rim may be the problem, Is that what you mean by wheel arch? Depending on your car, if an all wheel drive you need to try and keep the tires the same size. Some will shave a tire or buy a used matching tire. You need a new opinion, highest probablities are bent rim, bad balance, bad alignment, bad suspension component. Do not be afraid to buy a matching rim from a salvage yard to save bocu bucks if that is the problem. Not a damsel in dis dress.
Thank you…the first guy that looked at it put it up on the lift and could see nothing obvious, the second guy jacked it up and said it was “probably” that ive bent the suspension arm. I just don’t want to be forking out money on something that isn’t the problem. Yes i was told to get the tracking done too…I’ll call around a few places tomorrow…thanks again
I think she is either talking about the fender or the wheel well. The rim is what the tire is mounted too. The fender is the sheet metal painted covering on the front of the car and the wheel well is the part under the fender and over the wheel/tire combination.
In any case, someone needs to find out what the noise is and either bend the fender back out or repair the wheel well. Second, it is likely that the control arm got bent and/or the tie rod end. This needs to be inspected by the alignment shop. Then you need an alignment done to get the tires running straight again. So I agree with the others but use the proper terms when you are talking to the shops. Also could well be covered by insurance, so check on that.
Annie, that’s the wheel well. It’s also possible you’ve bent the rim-that’s the metal piece the tire is attached to. That will be less obvious to the untrained eye. A good shop will check it out while looking at the rest of the front end for damage.
@Annie3
For the problem you’ve described, you probably will do better if you can find a shop which specializes in suspension, steering, and alignment, rather than a more general auto repair business. Just like any specialist, they will be the most qualified to properly diagnose the damage and repair it. If you can find a locally owned independent shop, all the better. Good luck!
If you were in the US (I suspect you are in Europe) I’d take the car to a body shop. It seems something in the front end is bent, but perhaps not obvious to the naked eye. If you take it to a general mechanic, make sure that shop has a good alignment machine.
If the frame is bent, a body shop needs to straighten the frame and then any bent suspension and steering parts are replaced and the car is realigned and should be OK. A general mechanic can do everything, except straighten the frame. That’s why I’d go to body shop for an evaluation.
This isn’t the kind of problem that can generally be fixed in the driveway with a screwdriver and a wrench. Special tools and equipment are required.
If I had this problem, I’d take my car to the best independent auto-alignment place in town. I’d put my trust in their skills and experience.
And likewise, this isn’t a job for a general practitioner auto mechanic, the fellow who fixes your brakes or changes your oil. But if you have a good relationship with a general practitioner auto mechanic, he’d be a good person to ask for a recommendation who the best alignment shop in the area is. If not, then ask your friends, relatives, co-workers, fellow church goers, etc. In any event, once you get there, tell them the problem and who recommended them to you.
Since the steering is veering off, you need an alignment, so that would be the place to start. Once on the alignment rack, they will be able to determine if the parts that are out of spec can be adjusted or if they are damaged too much and have to be replaced. They will also be able to determine if the frame needs to be straightened. At least when they get done, you will know what is needed, no guessing based on a look over.
If you are getting any vibration, then you will need a new alloy too. I suspect that your lower control arm is bent toward the rear of the car and that is why the tire is hitting the inner fender. The control arm itself could be bent or its mounting point bent. If its the mounting point, then the frame will need to be straightened.
About women driver jokes: They started in the fifties and were told widely in the sixties. They’re not as funny now as they may have been because the novelty has worn off. Nowadays we don’t actually tell them, we just say “sounds like a woman driver”. If anybody says that, they may be paying tribute to a bygone era. Now, we mechanical people think that men and women are equal. We know when men and women don’t understand what we tell them. Driving works out about the same as that. Farewell to the jokes.
Thanks everyone seems I maybe have done more costly damage than thought then, judging by your comments. The people i have asked have just given me names and numbers of local mainstream mechanics so I’ll call round a few specialist places today and let you all know how it gets on!.. @pleasedodgevan2 I agree woman driver jokes are a thing of the past. Ive had my licence for 10 years and never had an accident or crash (touch wood) untill now. Altho it was a fairly minor knock and could have been worse, i consider myself a very good driver! Altho i don’t know the technical terms, which in glad ive learnt a few from this thread, i can change a tyre, bulbs, oil, fuses etc, im not afraid to get my hands dirty!
@rodknox
I agree. There is just so much you can do from afar without being a real pain to someone. You could easily PO a real good mechanic with the right solution by expanding to this tactic. It’s not like we have all the answers and someone qualified who is there doesn’t. It’s not rocket science and only Wernher Von Braun is on this forum.
@dagosa yes i understand there is only so much people can say or suggest to help with not actually seeing the damage in the flesh, so to speak but any advise or indication as to what the problem/s may be are giving me a huge helping hand, especially cost wise so i can weigh it all up. And picture may be of help to some and maybe add to expertise!