Major toe-out, steering wheel upside down

Gtin · Post by **Gtin** » 11 Feb 2018, 14:06

So we got some ice last night, pulling into a gas station after work in my 98 v70 I understeered into a curb, my passenger side front tire hit while the wheels were cocked to the left, didn't think much of it when I hit, it was a fairly slow collision with no visible damage, unfortunately when I pulled away I noticed that going straight leaves my steering wheel upside down, so I got out and looked around some more and I have visible toe-out on the wheel that hit.

I know very little about alignment, I first thought maybe I had bent a tie rod end. But after reading it seems like a bent tie rod end should result in toe-in rather than out. I don't even know where to start looking for the problem. The steering wheel being completely upside down definitely throws me off, I have to fix this myself, I don't have the cash to take it to a shop AND pay for an alignment once it's done, any tips on what I should be looking for?

Post by **tryingbe** » 11 Feb 2018, 14:34

Gtin wrote: ↑11 Feb 2018, 14:06 I have to fix this myself

Take both wheels off, compare both side and see what doesn't look right or post some pictures.

Gtin · Post by **Gtin** » 11 Feb 2018, 14:41

Will do, it's freezing outside so I'm waiting for my girlfriend's brother to get back so we can get some deisel for the heater and pull it into the garage. Anything specific I should be looking for that might not be obvious?

Post by **chrafael** » 11 Feb 2018, 15:29

Check your steering column to rack coupling. Maybe the pinch bolt wasn't tight enough, allowing the splines to slip. Could ultimately be dangerous.

Gtin · Post by **Gtin** » 11 Feb 2018, 15:33

How can I tell if it did slip? I assume if I measure on both sides of the rack and it comes out near the same but the steering wheel is still upside down it means that may have slipped? If so can I simply loosen the bolt, straighten the wheel, and tighten it back down?

Post by **abscate** » 11 Feb 2018, 15:58

You will be replacing some parts, because anything that has bent enough to turn the wheel a half turn is weakened and no longer serviceable.

Post by **rspi** » 11 Feb 2018, 17:29

Chances are, you have bent a tie rod end.

Post by **tryingbe** » 11 Feb 2018, 17:58

rspi wrote: ↑11 Feb 2018, 17:29 Chances are, you have bent a tie rod end.

Steering rack is thinner and weaker than a tie rod end.

Post by **jtp** » 11 Feb 2018, 19:12

If you have comprehensive insurance coverage they may cover the repair. Find out before you call them, you don’t want to report it if you just have liability.

Otherwise, tire shops are generally good at diagnosing suspensions and they typically do not charge much for the diagnostic.

Take it to one, have them print out what needs to be replaced, and then order the parts and do it yourself.

Short of that put some pictures on here and people will tell you what looks bent

Post by **mrbrian200** » 11 Feb 2018, 19:42

Before we go scaring this poor guy into thinking he damaged the steering rack or start messing with the pinch bolt...

If when the steering wheel is pointed to what should be straight ahead, where is the LEFT hand wheel pointing?