Putting a request for ideas to the group.

I had an altercation with a kerb during an Autosolo last weekend, not massive and this picture shows the damage to my alloy wheel.

Wheel damage

But after the impact my wheels toe'd out by a few degrees previously was set to 1 degree toe in.

I have braved the weather today and removed nose cone, radiator and the two lower wishbones to check things out and I am not finding anything wrong.

I have made a gauge to measure the spacing between the wishbone brackets and within approx 1/4 mm they are still parallel

I have looked down the chassis rails still look straight. The normal lower mounting points of the wishbone brackets are where the chassis is braced with cross pieces so can not see the side pair being pushed in and still remaining parallel.

Putting both nearside and offside lower wishbones together I can not see any deformity and the tubes the poly bushes fit in are still round.

Is it possible for a Maxi ball joint to bend it's spindle or a track rod end to do similar. Or even possible for an escort rack to lengthen slightly by popping a thread or anything?

I have not removed and checked the upper wishbones yet as beaten by the cold and believe any impact damage would be in the lower set or chassis down there.

Found my crush tubes would easily slide out of the bushes so will replace the bushes with new and for the cost I will fit new ball joints and track rod ends if required. Just a bit stumped at the moment, its a bit like every bolt has moved to take up slack in one direction.

The damage to the wheel is not bad for me to think I have any major problem.

Forgot to say it's the roadster version (CG book).

Adrian

[Edited on 5-2-12 by AdrianH]

Looking at your wheel i doubt you have any damage except the scrub on the rim
Looking at my Vectra wheels there damaged a lot lot more then yours and my vectra is running true / straight

What uprights are you using ??

I am running sierra uprights, I doubt if it has bent given how heavy they are made and deal with the weight of the Sierra.

Just checked the inner rail spacing and they are as per book width or an near as I can measure with a steel tape so happy the chassis has not bent in.

Adrian.

[Edited on 4-2-12 by AdrianH]

I wouldnt have thought any damage at all. Re-do the tracking and check the bushes etc.

I have found bent lower swivels & track rod ends on tin tops in for repair, unexpected sometimes ( not to much other damage ) Just depends how & how hard the wheel has been hit.

Well for what it is worth I will get the wishbones bead blasted, will give me a chance to check under the paint before repainting. Then fit a new track rod end and maxi ball joint on the near side, I have some spares somewhere.

Will also try to get some poly bushes,can anyone tell me if the Locost and Roadster the same dimensions and where I can just get the bushes as I have the crush tubes already?

Adrian