Axle bent

Tiny
SDWELLS12
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  • 2002 CHEVROLET ASTRO
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 123,986 MILES
A couple months ago I got in a wreck. This caused the front two wheels to be bent in wrong directions. Does this mean that the axle is bent?
Thursday, October 12th, 2017 AT 8:02 AM

9 Replies

Tiny
SDWELLS12
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Here are more pictures. (This is when the steering wheel is straight)
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Thursday, October 12th, 2017 AT 8:04 AM
Tiny
KEN L
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It looks like you have a bent tie rod, you will need to raise the car for inspection to be sure.

Here is a guide that will help you:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/jack-up-and-lift-your-car-safely

Then check the suspension out using a flash light.

Here is a guide on how to change a tie rod if it ends up being that:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/tie-rod-end-replacement

Please let us know what happens and upload pictures or videos of the problem.

Cheers, Ken
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Thursday, October 12th, 2017 AT 11:59 AM
Tiny
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I lifted it up and here are some pictures behind the wheel. Thanks so much for getting back so quickly!
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Thursday, October 12th, 2017 AT 12:10 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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Can you get more around to the front of the steering try to get some straight on shots?Take as many as needed.
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Thursday, October 12th, 2017 AT 7:02 PM
Tiny
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More pictures! I took of the bumper so I could get a better view. I see that a metal pipe that goes from one wheel to the other is broken. Could this be all it is?
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Friday, October 13th, 2017 AT 8:32 AM
Tiny
KEN L
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I see the sway bar broken, but that will not cause the wheels to be so far off. It looks like it is a tie rod or spindle is bent. Do not like to ask this but can you get more shots of the tie rods and center links? You have enough of the spindle area.

I cannot get an eye on whats causing it specifically.
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Friday, October 13th, 2017 AT 9:59 AM
Tiny
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More pictures. Are these what you are looking for? Thanks!
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Friday, October 13th, 2017 AT 10:47 AM
Tiny
MHPAUTOS
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The trouble is it is very hard to see a small bend in a photo. There may be a problem with lower control arms as well. A first hand inspection is always the best method of dealing with these types of problems, also having the front end checked on an alignment machine will pick up all errors in alignment geometry that the eye cant pick up. If the car can be transported to an alignment center this would be to your advantage in locating all problems affecting the cars steering and suspension.
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Friday, October 13th, 2017 AT 6:04 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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I was hoping we can see the bend since it is so obvious, but MPautos is right little bends are hard to see. Can you see anything that is bent or?
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Saturday, October 14th, 2017 AT 11:20 AM

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