Steering wheel will not turn left after collision

Tiny
SABRESONG
  • MEMBER
  • 2010 TOYOTA PRIUS
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 180,000 MILES
A little over a week ago my wife was backing out of a parking space when the person across the aisle backed into her, hitting the left front wheel. Now the steering wheel won't turn left.

We had the car towed home, and I found that the inner tie rod end was bent almost to a 90 degree angle. When I took the tie rod assembly off I tested the steering to see if there was any other damage. The steering wheel still will not turn left, and isn't happy with turning right either.

I'm curious to know if there's a single possible cause for this, or at the very least where to start looking. I'm able to do most repairs myself, though there's a lot I don't know, and I'm not a professional mechanic, but I'm also really short on cash and can't afford to pay for repairs, so taking it to a shop isn't an option.

Can you tell me what the most likely cause of this steering problem might be?
Sunday, September 27th, 2020 AT 7:39 AM

3 Replies

Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
Yes. More then likely this is the steering rack and pinion. More then likely the impact pushed the outer tie rod into the inner tie rod which goes into the gear itself where it reach enough resistance that the outer tie rod became the weakest link and was bent. At this point the internal components of the gear are jammed up and damaged.

I attached the inspection detail and replacement detail for your review.

Let me know if you have other questions. Thanks
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Sunday, September 27th, 2020 AT 8:08 AM
Tiny
SABRESONG
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Thank you so much. I appreciate the time you took to help me. I've ordered a refurbished steering rack, and with the information you gave me I expect we'll be up and running within a day of the parts getting here. I especially appreciate the step-by-step. Thanks again!
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Tuesday, October 6th, 2020 AT 4:41 PM
Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
You are more then welcome. Please let us know when you finish up and get it all straightened out. Thanks for using 2CarPros!
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Tuesday, October 6th, 2020 AT 5:58 PM

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