Date:         Fri, 18 Nov 2016 09:49:04 -0800
Reply-To:     Jeff Schwaia <vw.doka@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Jeff Schwaia <vw.doka@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: hit a boulder and a light pole
Comments: To: T Collins <tonycollin@GMAIL.COM>
In-Reply-To:  <CAAzKkH87OrV9wVAB9Wj-CpNSnaP9eQNkE4FQi3wg5U7-NgqUew@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"

Given your description, it is unlikely that a bent right tie rod is the issue.  If the tie rod was bent, the right wheel would be pointing in, instead of out, when the left wheel is straight.  

Sounds more likely that you bent the lower control arm or some other part that would affect steering geometry.

Cheers, 

Jeff


-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of T Collins
Sent: Thursday, November 17, 2016 8:28 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: hit a boulder and a light pole

Hello volks,

I thought earlier this evening I was toast. A jeep in front of me stopped suddenly and I beard off to the right while braking hard. I ended up resting next to a light pole. Seems I hit a boulder and then the lamp post with the passenger side wheel. The rim is irreparably bent. Since I was in a sharp  turn right it seems like the wheel sticking out prevented damage to the vans body.

Now to why I need your opinions. After replacing the tire, I found that the alignment  is off, the passenger side wheel is pointing right while the drivers side is pointing straight.
Looks like I bent the outer passenger side tie rod. Nothing else seems bent. What else should I be inspecting? Is it possible the inner tie rod is also bent? It was dark, but it did not seem or feel deformed...

I appreciate your input. I have an outer tie rod available and plan on replacing it. Tips on that?

Thanks,
T.