Hit a curb hard, front left, what do I need to fix, cost est. And DIY techniques? (Pix included)

RYANJEROME07

MEMBER
1996 NISSAN MAXIMA
175,000 MILES

Here is a link to a forum i posted on to help you more thoroughly answer my question. http://forums.nicoclub.com/96-maxima-suspension-steering-question-pix-included-t548991.html There are several pictures included. IF this is not possible, then i will also attach photos to this document. It seems as tho the strut/Spring Assembly may be bent, the rubber seal ontop was at least knocked out of place. The lower ball joint looks bent/loose and i believe this would effect the steering knuckle as well. Which leads me on to the second problem, when the tire was on it sat at an angle, almost diagonally. It pivoted from the bottom in towards the car. CV joint? Idk too much about steering components, any help would be uch appreciated. Thankyou.

Images (Click to make bigger)

5 Replies

RIVERMIKERAT

MECHANIC
6,110 POSTS

First image is sway bar links and looks normal.
Second image looks like axle shaft and normal.
Third image is lower control arm and ball joint. Ball joint looks snapped.
Fourth image is strut with bellows dust boot. Looks normal. Bellows boot obscures it, but there is a chance the strut shaft is bent. Can't tell.

If you look at the first photo, the left hand arrow is sitting on top of the outer CV boot/joint.

The steering wheel being off-center tells me you bent the steering rack outer arm. Those run in the $20-$30 range:
http://www.autozone.com/autozone/parts/1996-Nissan-Datsun-Maxima/Tie-Rod-End/_/N-j5eadZ8oxky

I can't see the rest of the suspension enough to have an opinion, but when a curb is hit like you did, the lower control arm usually gets wasted.

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Saturday, December 31st, 2011 AT 3:22 AM

RYANJEROME07

MEMBER
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Thankyou for the answer. All of your comments were very helpful and also relieving. Would I have to disassemble the coil spring/strut assembly and pull the shaft out for you to be able to tell? I'll get a photo of that if need be and a photo of the control arm as well. The pieces I definitely need are,
L. Ball Joint - $28.99
Tie Rod End - $18.99 (Unless it's a two piece assembly, other tie rod end looked completely different?).
& possibly -
Gabrial Ultra Shock/Strut - $62.99
L. Control Arm/BJ Combo - &118.99

Totals $50-$230 DIY fix. Plus tire, and ill post picture of rim.
What other parts of the suspension would you consider looking at in a situation like this? I purchased a Haynes Manual today so I'll be able to locate and accurately photograph and parts/assemblies you name and post them tomorrow morning. I'm off to bed.

Thankyou again.

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Saturday, December 31st, 2011 AT 6:13 AM

RIVERMIKERAT

MECHANIC
6,110 POSTS

Inner tie rod socket and outer tie rod. You'll need the Haynes manual for the inner.

I would look at the frame. If it has a strut rod (long arm between bumper and frame) look at it. There is a slight possibility the sway bar got bent, but probably not. Measure both sides, from frame to mount. If possible, compare the curves using a protractor.

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Saturday, December 31st, 2011 AT 7:50 AM

RYANJEROME07