Driving yesterday, went around a corner and my steering went out (pulled hard to the right wouldn't turn back) tried my hardest to stop but as we all know 4 wheel drum's don't stop on a dime. Hit the curb and went up on it luckly missing the tree further down. (only the passenger side front tire actually made it on the curb. It pushed my right tire up and back and the tire is kinda "folded" under a little. had to get it in the parking lot i was near. right tire turned all the way to the right, steering wheel doesn't move it. Now my question I know my ball joints were bad, could my ball joint have caused this, or do you think it was something along the lines of the centerlink, or tie rod, or idler arm? I don't have the slightest clue. All i know is i just got it out of the shop where they replaced most of the front steering components! Thanks.
Yes ball joints can break and pop out. When that happens the spindle is not attached to the A arm anymore. Several things could have happened tho to cause this.. Drum could have locked up from either very bad brakes or even wheel bearings. The centerlink , I have never had a problem with over the years but I guess it is possible. The Tierod end would have to be a major Phuc up to come loose. I.E. the bolt and pin not inserted or the rod itself broke, Never have seen that unless it was from a crash and the impact normally just bent them in my experience.
From the way it sounds the upper ball joint or A-arm broke or came loose. Open the hood and see if you upper A arm bolts are still on there. I doubt a shop would have left them lose but you never know until you look.
Jack it up from the OTHER SIDE and have a look. WARNING!!!!!! do not jack up the bad side or remove the wheel until you can see if the spring is in a bind or not. If you have no idea what im talking about have someone else check it out for you. Dont guess @this! That thing can do some fatal damage to you if it flys out and hits you.
Good luck and this isnt that bad a problem to fix.
< Message edited by cmanf -- 5/12/2008 5:17:36 AM >
Posts: 986
Joined: 1/19/2007 From: New Mexico Status: online
Definitely glad nothing happened to you!
+1 on being extremely careful when checking out things, beware of jack stands. When you are checking around check for differences in both sides, check both control arms thoroughly. You may also what to take apart and check your brakes if you don't find something irregular right away.
This reminds me of a time when I had a friend and he let someone do donuts in his car and he hit a curb and bent the whole wheel underneath the car! a 96 GT
Was it not you who posted a few days ago you knew the ball joints needed replacing and had bad tires?
Glad your OK and all but might be a lesson here. Don't drive the car if you know there are issues! Not giving you a hard time but face it, you knew the car needed work. Accidents do happen from failing parts and what if you had hit the tree, or worse another person? I'd get the car back to the shop and have them look over the entire front end and get the parts replaced that need replacing and a new set of tires before it hits the road again.
The only good thing here is that neither you or anyone else got hurt!
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something broke?!, curbs aren't your friend!! - 
RE: something broke?!, curbs aren't your friend!! - 
a 96 GT 
