Please help **wheel problem**

[Gen1boost]

Okay about 4 months ago i hit a nasty curb going only about like 3-5mph. I hit the curb only with my back right pasenger wheel. It like made the wheel pretty much concave in, not too much, but very noticable. I took it to a shop and they said my allignment was off so they did an allignment and that i screwed up my rear end axle. Well everything was fine but now a couple months later, i just noticed today that my wheel is back, its like slighty concaved in. I didn't hit any curbs or anything. I don't know what it could be... could it just maybe possibly be that there is a bolt that is loose or maybe my control arm is messed up? Please help!!!!

 

[Gen1boost]

anyone?

 

[gsxboostin]

I have corrected this problem on cars other than dsm's many times, and it sounds like the same symptoms of what I fixed. Check you rear sway bar bolts that holt it to the wheel hub. That bolt is either gone/broken, or lose. At least put the car up on a jack and take that wheel off and look around and see what you can find. Let me know. -M

 

[GTM]

Okay about 4 months ago i hit a nasty curb going only about like 3-5mph. I hit the curb only with my back right pasenger wheel. It like made the wheel pretty much concave in, not too much, but very noticable. I took it to a shop and they said my allignment was off so they did an allignment and that i screwed up my rear end axle. Well everything was fine but now a couple months later, i just noticed today that my wheel is back, its like slighty concaved in. I didn't hit any curbs or anything. I don't know what it could be... could it just maybe possibly be that there is a bolt that is loose or maybe my control arm is messed up? Please help!!!!

Did the shop have any recommendations for repairs of the RR axle and suspension? If you have a picture of what you are describing it would be helpful to understand the problem/concerns.

Gone are the days of robust suspension and axles, they won't take the beating for makers design them to do one thing which is to go forward so scuffing a curb could throw things out of alignment or bent subframe attachment points or related parts. I'm not clear if you are talking about the wheel it's self is dented or if the wheel and tire are pushed in or rearward so it's not in the center of the wheel arch??

With a tape measure you can check the left side front to rear wheel distances ... this is your wheelbase length and must form a perfect rectangle for the car to drive properly. The track which is the width between each axle (front vs rear) may not be the same but you will need to know what it should be so you can measure from the low part of the rim to the other side and compare this width with the number given in the specifications. Getting the wheelbase measurment can be a little tricky, with a plumb bob or similar device you place the string at the top of the tire and adjust so that it goes across the centerline of the dimple in the axle end, make a mark on the ground, do the same for each wheel then you can take a measurment between each side. For the track you will have to crawl under the car and measure the inside rim to rim width, it cannot be done properly with the car on jackstands for it's not considered consistant enough to be reliable. When you had the shop do the alignment they should have recorded these numbers for you.

You can have someone drive behind you and see if the rear wheel is wobbling at highway speed, if too slow it will be hard to observe. A bent wheel will give a noticable vibration much like an out of balance condition. If you can't do this you will have to jack the car up and rotate the wheel by hand, with a block of wood placed against the side of the tire to see if it is not running true while you rotate it.

You need to get some of the answers and report back to us if anyone is to help you solve the problem/concern.

GTM

 

[Gen1boost]

the wheel and tire itself are pushed inward on a slant. Im going to checkout the rear sway bar tomarrow when i have more time.

 

[GTM]

the wheel and tire itself are pushed inward on a slant. Im going to checkout the rear sway bar tomarrow when i have more time.

I fear that the sway bar mentioned previously will not be the answer. It's sounding more like the lower RR control arm has bent and will need replacing. This is within the realm of home repairs unless you have also done additional damage such as the differential carrier/mount has been bent. There is a limit the CV joints are able to slide in and out as the suspension moves up and down, so keep your driving to an absolute minimum for bearings could be forced into extreme loads and costs could mount. With reasonable certainty this will involve the control arm so start searching now, bolts and rubber parts associate with the control arm are to be suspect. The hub and carrier are pretty beefy so chances are it's still usable. The inboard end should be checked very carefully where they attach to the body for if this is also bent then you will need to go to a frame shop and costs could quickly mount to the point you would need to consult your insurance if you have comprehensive coverage. When I say closely examined you need to see if things have moved, cracked, bent, disturbed dirt or undercoating, use a flashlight. Tire wear can't be good either if the damage is as bad as you seem to indicate.

Keep us posted.

Cheers,
GTM

 

[Defiant]

I think the alignment slipped, and they get to do it again for free.