The "Webuilding" is deliberate (think Bugs Bunny), had to keep the alliteration consistent with "Rescuing Ruby" and "Saving Silver". Some of you may have seen the thread in the "South" regional section; my daughter returned to Galveston, TX after Christmas break and hit a curb pretty hard with the right front wheel. After sending a front cross member, radius arm, lower control arm, and complete knuckle to TX and Jarrett stepping up to the plate to replace them, it was obvious there was still more damage (the right front wheel was still canted inward at the bottom and considerably toe-in). The car arrived home yesterday. This thread will follow the saga of trying to save this one as well.
I think the steering wheel is straight ahead in the first picture below. Wheel is obviously shifted back.
Based on some rough measurements, the mounting point for the right lower control arm is pushed in maybe 1/2 inch, metal is torn and one of the welds is pulled apart. It is a lot easier to see and assess when it is 18 inches in the air on jack stands.
Looking at the mounting points for the main cross member to which the lower control arms and steering rack mount, it is shifted left 1/4 - 3/8 of an inch. I loosened the four mounting bolts (all turned without wobbling indicating they are not bent), but couldn't get the cross member to move to the right. I pulled a new cross member from a car at U Pull a Part in Montgomery, AL a couple weeks ago returning from taking two of my children to school in Pensacola.
The steering rack is toast, effort is very light, it clunks when turning the wheel, there is a fluid leak somewhere, and the boots are split open. I have another rack and all the seals to rebuild it; this will force me to do so. It also appears that the right front shock blew; there is fluid all over it that doesn't appear to be brake fluid (brakes are still pretty firm); it may even be bent some because it doesn't appear to extend as far as the left shock with the car in the air. It was probably due for shocks anyway, I think they are still the originals at 225,000 miles. It will need a tire and wheel as well. Looks like an opportunity for some DIYs.
I'll use a tow dolly to get it to Precision Frame and Body here in town to put it on the frame rack; all other repairs will hinge on what they find and what they can do with it.
I think the steering wheel is straight ahead in the first picture below. Wheel is obviously shifted back.
Based on some rough measurements, the mounting point for the right lower control arm is pushed in maybe 1/2 inch, metal is torn and one of the welds is pulled apart. It is a lot easier to see and assess when it is 18 inches in the air on jack stands.
Looking at the mounting points for the main cross member to which the lower control arms and steering rack mount, it is shifted left 1/4 - 3/8 of an inch. I loosened the four mounting bolts (all turned without wobbling indicating they are not bent), but couldn't get the cross member to move to the right. I pulled a new cross member from a car at U Pull a Part in Montgomery, AL a couple weeks ago returning from taking two of my children to school in Pensacola.
The steering rack is toast, effort is very light, it clunks when turning the wheel, there is a fluid leak somewhere, and the boots are split open. I have another rack and all the seals to rebuild it; this will force me to do so. It also appears that the right front shock blew; there is fluid all over it that doesn't appear to be brake fluid (brakes are still pretty firm); it may even be bent some because it doesn't appear to extend as far as the left shock with the car in the air. It was probably due for shocks anyway, I think they are still the originals at 225,000 miles. It will need a tire and wheel as well. Looks like an opportunity for some DIYs.
I'll use a tow dolly to get it to Precision Frame and Body here in town to put it on the frame rack; all other repairs will hinge on what they find and what they can do with it.
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