Suspension/struts/wheels possible damage after an accident?

Tiny
LULUMAU13
  • MEMBER
  • 2013 LEXUS ES 350
  • 3.5L
  • V6
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 89,000 MILES
My boyfriend hit a middle divider and I can't figure out what exactly is wrong with the car now. I first noticed the driver's side front tire was pushed back more than all the other tires so when I turned the steering wheel the tire would hit the wheel well and my car wouldn't be able to turn all the way. I was told it was my A-arm/control arm. So, I bought a brand new one and put it on my car. It seemed to have fixed the problem, but I wasn't convinced. To me it was still slightly pushed back. I was able to turn the car fine but when the steering was turned all the way I could still feel and hear the tire scraping on the inside wheel well. So, the first time I drove it since putting a new a-arm on it did ok but to me it didn't feel right. Well on my way home I'm on the freeway and I hear a loud noise and than a loud thumping noise, so I pull over thinking I have a flat tire and I don't. I don't see anything wrong so I try driving and it makes a really loud thump thump, thump, noise and it doesn't feel like everything is okay so I pull into a gas station and look under my car and all around and I find that the back side of the tire has been totally shredded with all the metals showing but we're still holding air. So, I looked at my trunk I didn't have a spare tire my boyfriend comes, and he goes to change the tire when he takes the tire off we see behind the tire there's a whole bunch of oil everywhere as if something exploded. So, I get it to a back to my house and everybody's telling me now that it's my struts front and back because my car is leaning to the left. But what I noticed it the front and back tires on the driver's side don't seem to line up with the body of the car but on the right side they do. I'll attach pics of what I'm talking about so u see what I mean. Also, the oil that was behind the wheel when we took it off was because the boot clamp, I think it's called came off or at least that's what I am being told.
Friday, December 23rd, 2022 AT 7:04 PM

3 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,878 POSTS
Hi,

The idea that the wheel seems to be further back leads me to think the caster (alignment) is off or you have a bent frame.

Have you had the vehicle aligned? Caster is how far forward or rearward the tire sits. Also, you replaced the A-arm, did you inspect the front suspension member for damage? See pic 1. Check the highlighted areas for evidence of something being bent.

Let me know what you find. Also, if you haven't had the vehicle realigned, it really should be done.

Let me know.

Joe

See pic below.
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Friday, December 23rd, 2022 AT 8:01 PM
Tiny
LULUMAU13
  • MEMBER
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I agree the alignment is most likely off and getting it aligned will probably fix the issue with the wheel being pushed back since it's only a little bit now that I changed the arm but my problem now is my whole car is leaning to the left. Like the left side is sitting a lot lower than the right side. And my tires seem to be bent in at the top of the left. The pictures I attached are the difference in the front left and front right. Could it be sitting low on the left because the struts went out?
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Friday, December 23rd, 2022 AT 8:37 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,878 POSTS
Hi,

The strut itself is an assembly made of two primary components, the coil spring, and the shock absorber. In reality, you could disconnect the shock and the vehicle's height would not change because it is held up by the coil spring. The goal of the shock absorber is just what it's called, an absorber. It only prevents the vehicle from bouncing and if you hit a dip in the road or pothole, it lessens what you feel in the vehicle.

So, if one side is sitting lower, the coil spring may have broken. The shock which has failed wouldn't cause the change in height.

Have you checked the coil springs? See pic 1 below. Also, have you checked the strut tower where the top of the strut mounts?

Also, I did notice how the wheel is sitting in your pics. The idea that the top of the wheel is further in is an alignment issue. That tilt of the wheel is referred to as the camber. If you removed the bottom of the strut to replace the lower A arm, the alignment is off because that is where the camber is adjusted. That can be adjusted, but make sure nothing you replaced is coming loose.

I would suggest lifting the left front tire off the ground and confirming there is no excessive play in the tie rods, ball joints, and wheel bearing. Also, with the weight off the suspension, closely inspect the coil spring for evidence of damage.

Let me know if this helps or if you have additional questions.

Take care and I hope you have a Great Christmas.

Joe

See pic below.
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Saturday, December 24th, 2022 AT 11:35 AM

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