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Steering is off center; you can see how the wheel is out on bottom while upper is in?

Tiny
BHAMDOC1973
  • MEMBER
  • 2013 DODGE DURANGO
  • V8
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 192,000 MILES
While the repo truck was Repossessing this car, the owner came down the road in another car and tried to stop the repo and bumped into the passenger tire going around 40-50 MPH. We got the car and now steering is off center. You can see how the wheel is out on bottom while upper is in. I cannot tell what could have bent. Tow truck guy told me it may have bent the tie rod. Do you see anything different? I included pictures to compare it to driver side. Looks like the Driver side has a new outer tie rod. You can see how driver side is straight while passenger is bent.
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Friday, September 29th, 2023 AT 1:26 PM

12 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
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Yep, you can see the bent tie rod because the curve is different side to side. Here is a generic guide to help you step by step with instructions in the diagrams below to show you how on your car:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/tie-rod-end-replacement

Thanks for the images, it helps. Here are the instructions for you to change the bent part out. Check out the images (below). Please let us know what happens.
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Friday, September 29th, 2023 AT 4:11 PM
Tiny
BHAMDOC1973
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Hmm cool. How can they bend like this, geez, and they don't even show it, like no break or something to show but yes, that is what it seems like, thanks.
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Friday, September 29th, 2023 AT 5:18 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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You are welcome, please use 2CarPros anytime we are here to help.
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Monday, October 2nd, 2023 AT 9:46 AM
Tiny
BHAMDOC1973
  • MEMBER
  • 1,291 POSTS
I replaced it and tried to align the wheel as much as possible, but it was still outward. When I turn the inner tie rod to align I see it turn but not straight I think it bent. Also, I see play in upper control arm when moving wheel at 3 and 9.
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Sunday, October 8th, 2023 AT 4:11 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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Usually, the upper control arm won't affect the toe out too much. When you had the outer tie rod off did it look bent compared to the new one? What does the lower arm look like? You should be able to see what is bent with this large of a problem.
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Monday, October 9th, 2023 AT 8:58 AM
Tiny
BHAMDOC1973
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  • 1,291 POSTS
Does not look very bent but somewhat bent. Hard to tell but I will look at the lower again.
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Monday, October 9th, 2023 AT 9:02 AM
Tiny
KEN L
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Please upload images of the parts in question, that will help.
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Tuesday, October 10th, 2023 AT 8:34 AM
Tiny
BHAMDOC1973
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Pictures for both sides with car on ground.
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Tuesday, October 10th, 2023 AT 7:42 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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It looks like the adjustment for the lower control arm got moved in the incident. Can you look at the alignment adjustment at the lower control arm to see if it has moved?
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Wednesday, October 11th, 2023 AT 7:50 AM
Tiny
BHAMDOC1973
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I didn't even know it had one. Where is it around the bushing?
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Wednesday, October 11th, 2023 AT 7:59 AM
Tiny
BHAMDOC1973
  • MEMBER
  • 1,291 POSTS
You were right. Even though I cannot get it 100% now but 2 of the 3 adjustable bolts moved so I moved them back and adjusted the tie rod best I can tell it's aligned. Thanks
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Wednesday, October 11th, 2023 AT 2:46 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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Glad you could get it fixed, thanks for letting us know. Please use 2CarPros anytime we are here to help.
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Thursday, October 12th, 2023 AT 10:38 AM

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