Top of wheel points out- what might cause that?

Question

I slid into a wall in my '07 Maxima (I know, I know), and now the front left tire points out at the top by about 3/4". The dealer has replaced the bent strut and rim, but it's not fixed. They are changing the spindle and repacking the bearings tomorrow, but is this correct? The wall did jut out at the bottom, so the bottom portion of the tire took all of the impact. They are suggesting the tie rods next and then the upper and lower arms, but none of these looked damaged. Anybody out there know car anatomy that could perhaps tell me the part(s) most likely to be damaged by this type of impact? There is no vibration in the steering wheel (even before the repairs), so the guy said this rules out the lower arm (I think). There has to be a way to narrow it down without the process of replacement-and-elimination...... Any ideas are greatly appreciated. BTW, I know it was a very stupid thing to do, so please only comment on possible solutions. Thank you.

There is only a minor srape on the under side of the bumper, so I doubt there is any frame damage. I was actually extremely lucky, cosmetically. Mechanically is another story...

I saw it on the alignment rack and it was visibly pointed outward. All other wheels were fine. They pointed to the top number and emphasized the fact that it was +3.21, whatever that means.

Answer 1

was there any difference after the strut was changed?
if the strut was bent there should have been some change.
after the strut I would check the lower control arm arm and sub frame where the lower arm mounts. the spindle would be the 3rd area I would look. the last place I would look would be tie rod ends as these have very little if any effect on top to bottom angle of tire ( known as camber). tie rod ends mostly effects the front to back angle (known as toe-in toe-out) of the tire. this car does not have and upper arm, the strut is in place of an upper arm.
The dimensions of the front end can be measured, and compared against specifications. It appears to me that is not being done. and the replacement order suggests less than adequate knowledge of the problem. you might want to get a second opinion.

BTW:
They pointed to the top number and emphasized the fact that it was +3.21, whatever that means
means 3.21 degrees off center should be about 0.0

Answer 2

I would have to beleive that you would most likely be looking at a bent lower control arm or a stabilizer bar that is bent. Sometimes it is very hard to see this kind of damage with your eye especially if it is bent right at a bushing or bolt. I would ask them to put it on an alignment rack.

good luck and I don't think wheel bearings are going to do anything but cost you money

Answer 3

It may be hard to tell if the lower control arm is bent or not. May just be slightly bent enough to make your alignment be out. If your outer and inner tie rod is alright then why change it. If the control arm isn't bent then maybe you are just out of alignment.

Answer 4

You need to go to a competent garage, not one that is throwing parts at it and guessing with you at what to put on next. Honestly if it's out that much shouldn't be hard to get it up on a hoist and see exactly what is bent!