1999Audi

I was hit by a driver (by 2011 Ford Explorer) pulling out from a stop sign.

<img src='http://img146.imageshack.us/img146/9416/1damage.jpg' border='0'/>

<img src='http://img202.imageshack.us/img202/1328/2damage.jpg' border='0'/>


-Shop did the bodywork (I have now new: bumper, right headlight, right fender, right front liner).
-Front pass. rim replaced(rim is not bent just a little scratch, but I replaced anyway – so its NEW now).
-Front pass. side tire was torn a little replaced (bought 4 new Conti DWS)


After all of this I went to Firestone and Townfair and both shops told me that - Front Pass. side CAMBER is -1.8.

Alignment BEFORE the accident:

<img src="http://img202.imageshack.us/img202/9868/1alignmenttownfair2009b.jpg">


Alignment AFTER the accident. Below is the print out from Firestone (TownFair alignment shop gave me similar readings):


<img src="http://img13.imageshack.us/img13/1203/2alignmentfirestoneafte.jpg">


So I have -1.8 Negative front side. camber after the accident. What part is possibly bent?

What I Noticed:
Driver side: I was able to squeeze my hand between top tire and knuckle,
Pass side (impact side): it’s a little tight (not a lot, just a little) but Im not sure.

Knuckle?
Both Upper Arms?
Wheel hub(possible or not)?
Anything else?
How do I test it?

Was driving 70mph on a straight line today and didn’t feel any pull from side to side.

Thanks

x19

>Knuckle?
>Both Upper Arms?
>Wheel hub(possible or not)?

One of above or base of frame for upper arm bend in or carrier (wheel bearing housing=knuckle?) for hub that all i can think of.
To test the camber with home made special tool is here, you have to make like the fishing pole with weight on bottom of thread and put on front fender just above center of axle and you can measure thread to upper rim and lower rim. If your measurement are equal top and bottom which means camber is 0 degree (approximately and not perfect of course). you also can compare to other side. On-toe in, I like to see negative to zero. Good luck. x19

1999Audi

but I know that camber is -0.9 and -1.8(from the print out above: before and after accident) why would I test it again?

AudiMick

Since the impact appears to be at the top of the wheel arch, you should have potentially got less camber.

The only think I think could bend that much (and not change caster) would be the shock (strut).

Possibly both lower control arms are bent.

I think I would disassemble the right side suspension and check everything.

1999Audi

its rain today, Ill disassemble the right side tomorrow to check, but -1.8 its not a lot and Im not sure if I will be able to see that something is bend..

AudiMick

I don't know why you would bother, take it back to the shop that fixed the car.

You have proof (the old alignment info), tell em to make it right.

If they won't call your insurance company.

1999Audi

My insurance company suck. "If they won't call your insurance company." I tried for 1 month and they dont even pick up the phone, and Im going to file a small claim, for the damage.

No rain tonight, so I took right wheel off and.. I inspected ever arm, strut, and knuckle and nothing everything looks fine even the plate that hold upper arms.

There is like 8 parts that could be bent ... guy at the shop told me that he would change knuckle, wheel bearing and hub.

is it possible to bent hub ?

1999Audi

Update:
Audi shop replaced Knuckle + Both Upper control Arms, then did alignment = now everything is fine.