Car Alignment?

Question

I made a left turn onto a side street and my car slid on ice very hard into the curb on the passenger side. After this happened my car alignment seemed to be off. There was an unusual steering feel--stiffer than it used to, and the wheel did not return to the center position when released. The steering wheel is now ****** to one side when the front wheels are pointing straight ahead. I took it to an auto body to be looked at, and was wondering how bad it might be. Do you think it might be an easy alignment, or could it be more severe. If more severe, what are other things that could possibly happen after hitting a curb like that?

Thanks for your input!

Answer 1

There is number of items that could now be wrong with your car.
Every thing from a bent rim, tie bar rods, to damage to a rack-n-pinion.
With the not returning to center you maybe looking at damage to your rack-n-pinion or gear box, depending on the age of your car.

Answer 2

An alignment is an alignment

with something like that going on with your car, you need to hope there isn't any OTHER damage done to your car. I had the same thing happen to me, and at first I only needed an alignment, and then a lil later on I needed wheel bearings and a new tie rod

Answer 3

If you hit a curb the chances are quite good that you bent something. I see it in my shop all the time. Just adjusting the alignment ain't gonna cut it.

Things that might be bent include the control arm(s), knuckle, strut, and/or strut rod. Wouldn't be surprised if the wheel and tire were damaged as well.

Answer 4

It could be one or a combination of many things- front suspension is complicated! I'm thinking it may be a bent tie rod.....