Hit curb, what's bent?

lilfoot · 10-22-2019, 06:39 PM

I was turning to park parallel against a curb and hit the curb while my wheel was turned full right towards the curb, going only a couple miles an hour. Nothing looked bent, but my alignment is off - the car pulls to the left and I have to hold the steering wheel about 10* right to keep going straight down the road.

I dropped the car off at BMW today and they were unable to find anything bent and was able to set the alignment, but barely within factory spec.

What part did I most likely bend? I'm thinking either the control arm/tension strut (https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-...t/31126855742/)

or the tie rod end (https://www.getbmwparts.com/oem-part...ItMGwtbDQtZ2Fz).

FaRKle! · 10-22-2019, 06:54 PM

What did the "out of alignment" sheet look like when it was measured?

Possible things that got bent are: tension strut, wishbone (LCA), tie rod, and strut. I would imagine the wishbone and tie rod are more likely to get bent first. How did the tension strut bushing look?

lilfoot · 10-22-2019, 06:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FaRKle!

What did the "out of alignment" sheet look like when it was measured?

Possible things that got bent are: tension strut, wishbone (LCA), tie rod, and strut. I would imagine the wishbone and tie rod are more likely to get bent first. How did the tension strut bushing look?

I did a quick look before dropping the car off and didn't see anything specifically out of whack. The car is still at the dealer so I don't have the measurement sheet yet.

lilfoot · 10-25-2019, 02:27 PM

Alignment sheet attached. The car steers straight again but the steering wheel is still just a hair off to the right when going down the road.

I’m tempted to order the lower control arm and swap it just because I bet it’s the part that got tweaked.

10-22-2019, 06:39 PM	#1
lilfoot Enlisted Member 5 Rep 44 Posts Drives: 2012 328i Sport Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Sacramento, California iTrader: (0)	Hit curb, what's bent? I was turning to park parallel against a curb and hit the curb while my wheel was turned full right towards the curb, going only a couple miles an hour. Nothing looked bent, but my alignment is off - the car pulls to the left and I have to hold the steering wheel about 10* right to keep going straight down the road. I dropped the car off at BMW today and they were unable to find anything bent and was able to set the alignment, but barely within factory spec. What part did I most likely bend? I'm thinking either the control arm/tension strut (https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-...t/31126855742/) or the tie rod end (https://www.getbmwparts.com/oem-part...ItMGwtbDQtZ2Fz). Last edited by lilfoot; 10-22-2019 at 06:45 PM..
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10-22-2019, 06:54 PM	#2
FaRKle! Brigadier General 4017 Rep 3,540 Posts Drives: 328d Wagon, M2 Comp, i4 eD35 Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Bay Area, CA iTrader: (4) Garage List 2023 BMW i4 eDrive 35 [0.00] 2017 BMW 328dx Wagon [0.00] 2021 BMW M2 Competi ... [0.00]	What did the "out of alignment" sheet look like when it was measured? Possible things that got bent are: tension strut, wishbone (LCA), tie rod, and strut. I would imagine the wishbone and tie rod are more likely to get bent first. How did the tension strut bushing look? __________________ -328d Wagon Build Log (with helpful reference links) -My YouTube Channel for some of the best DIYs and in depth information Please don't PM me for suspension recommendations unless interested in paid private consultations.
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10-25-2019, 02:27 PM	#4
lilfoot Enlisted Member 5 Rep 44 Posts Drives: 2012 328i Sport Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Sacramento, California iTrader: (0)	Alignment sheet attached. The car steers straight again but the steering wheel is still just a hair off to the right when going down the road. I’m tempted to order the lower control arm and swap it just because I bet it’s the part that got tweaked. Attached Images
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