2006 Dodge Stratus Knuckle

JHEDRICK2009

MEMBER
2006 DODGE STRATUS
4 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
58,000 MILES

I hit a curb while making a right turn. It bent the knuckle on my back passenger tire. Is there a way that I can repair this myself? If so, do I need any special tools that probably wouldn't be in my brothers already well stocked tool collection? I took it to a shop and I really can't afford to get it fixed somewhere but I would hate to pay my car note every month and not be able to drive it. Any advice would be so helpful.

Thanks

6 Replies

SERVICE WRITER

MECHANIC
9,123 POSTS

Check for a used one, they may include a few extra goodies attached to it. May save some time and disassembly. A torch may be needed, but it isn't too old for a lot of corrosion. Should need anything special or out of the ordianary.

I would think the lateral arms or control arm would be the components to fold before the spindle.

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Tuesday, June 9th, 2009 AT 7:05 PM

BMRFIXIT

MECHANIC
19,053 POSTS

Are you sure its the knuckle and not the strut and or the lateral link
I would double check that
if its the knuckle have to be replaced only
not a small job to do
no special tool needed

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Tuesday, June 9th, 2009 AT 7:09 PM

JHEDRICK2009

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I actually took the car into Brakes Plus and thats what they told me. They said that I pushed the sub-frame back and the knuckle was bent. See basically what had happened was I was turning and on the corner there was the metal curb protector because there is a drain there. My rim actually got caught on that and lifted up onto the curb then slipped back off. It was probably a good foot drop back onto the street. All the stress of this was on my passenger rear tire so thats probably why it was so messed up. My boyfriend said I would need some kind of drill to fix it.

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Tuesday, June 9th, 2009 AT 10:43 PM

SERVICE WRITER

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IF you look at the left side and compare it to the right side, you should be able to determine for yourself what is bent.

The weaker link here are the two arms that go from the knuckle to the center of the body by the description you gave.

You'll need more than a drill, but I am still not confident in brakes plus opinion.

Post pics if you like.

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Wednesday, June 10th, 2009 AT 5:27 AM

JHEDRICK2009

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Well, the right rear looks visibly tipped sideways like the top is pushed in. The tire is rubbing the inside of my wheel well so I can't drive it. The same thing actually happened to my boyfriends car when another car slid into his car and his wheel looked almost exactly the same except his was more bent. We got it fixed at Brakes Plus and they fixed it correctly. Unfortunately, I don't have my camera at the moment so I can't put anything up.