Hit a curb, need some encouraging words! - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

lUvMymaRo98 · 09-01-2013, 11:22 AM

Hi guys, moment of shame here. I hit a curb head on at about 20-25 mph
Drivers front, tire popped, put donut on and noticed steering wheel cocked to the right when driving straight. Now the new tire is on and the wheel is cocked out at the top. Shop cannot align -we also replaced a bent lower control arm. I am scared to death that my engine cradle moved? Any ideas on the chances of that or how big of a mess I have here. Is this fixable? and can I get a new subframe if I have bent mine? argh! need some support!

Norm Peterson · 09-01-2013, 11:48 AM

If the engine cradle moved to put +camber on the driver side, that will normally put more negative camber on the passenger side. This is one thing you can probably check for yourself, and you can get pretty good numbers with a digital angle finder is you have a flat area to set up on.

Did the shop tell you just why they could not align it?

Norm

qcman · 09-01-2013, 11:51 AM

Sorry man I can only provide moral support but you have it....

I know that sick feeling though mine was less than 5 mph & seems okay. Anyways I'm sure some smarter guys here can help. At the very least you might want to have your dealer have a peek at it & see.

Cam

lUvMymaRo98 · 09-01-2013, 12:03 PM

I took it into work (I work at my dealership) and after the new lower control arm was put on w a new tire the top of the drivers wheel was leaning out away from the car. They said we need to wait until Tuesday when another mechanic was there. I think we were only running a skeleton crew since it is a holiday weekend. They also mentioned she may be going to the body shop. I cannot believe this. Hoping for just a few more bent parts and no subframe involvement.

lUvMymaRo98 · 09-01-2013, 12:04 PM

Good point about the passenger side Norm, I didn't think to look or ask, I was just staring at that drivers side thinking #$%^^&*&*

Mmar88 · 09-01-2013, 12:35 PM

Hey I'm sorry to hear what happened ! Best of luck with it!!!

CHMSC · 09-01-2013, 01:40 PM

Don't hit curbs, they are baddddd.

A good alignment shop or body shop should be able to help you find your problem. Although, even they can over look thins. I found my issue myself by putting the car on a rack and eyeing everything from side to side and comparing them. Take your time and do not rush while doing this.

FAT-SS · 09-01-2013, 02:22 PM

I hit a curb last December going about 20 - 25 mph also. The windshield fogged up and by the time I figured out how to turn on the defroster, BOOM. Front tire was flat, the drivers front wheel was dented badly and the rear drivers side wheel had a bad gouge but not dented. At least you only banged up the stock wheels. Mine were TSW Vairano's and I only had them for a year and a half before I had to replace them. Since TSW no longer make the Vairano's, I got the TSW Rockinghams on now. I had the same alignment problem also after I hit the curb with the Camaro pulling to the right. I took it to Firestone to get it aligned (lifetime alignment) and they wanted to drill a larger hole in the front drivers side strut so that they could align it and charge me $200 for labor (no new parts). I told them no thanks and I purchased a new strut (since the strut was bent from hitting the curb) and put it on myself then brought it back to Firestone for them to align again. Works fine since then AND I got new Wheels now. I only have pics of the rims after the tires were removed and a pic of the Camaro with the TSW Rockinghams. Now you have a good excuse to get new wheels too.

Sikoriko · 09-01-2013, 02:26 PM

Yeup happened to me the traction control light was on bent lower arm, scuffed up the rim, GM has a exchange progam for that. The dealer did a five wheel alignment, it is better then ever. 1100 gm dollars later. Expensive hobby

EastWood-SS · 09-01-2013, 03:20 PM

It's OK... judging from your pics, atleast you remain physically attractive at the end of the day. Look in the mirror -- That should make you feel better. B)

KJS · 09-01-2013, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sikoriko

Yeup happened to me the traction control light was on bent lower arm, scuffed up the rim, GM has a exchange progam for that. The dealer did a five wheel alignment, it is better then ever. 1100 gm dollars later. Expensive hobby

Five wheel alignment? Never heard of this. What does it entail?

SlingShot · 09-01-2013, 03:26 PM

I'm sure they will get the car straightened out for you, be thankful you work for a dealership.

Fiftydriver · 09-01-2013, 04:16 PM

Not much to add for encouraging words other then I am sure the frame is not bent so its likely its repairable.

What I would say is Don't hit curbs, let alone at 25 mph!!!

rrpilot · 09-01-2013, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KJS

Five wheel alignment? Never heard of this. What does it entail?

I'm sure it was 5 angle alignment not 5 tire.

09-01-2013, 11:22 AM	#1
lUvMymaRo98 StingrayFleetBusinessMgr Drives: 2013 Camaro Convertible 2LTRS Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Orlando,Tampa, Florida Posts: 110 View My Garage	Hit a curb, need some encouraging words! Hi guys, moment of shame here. I hit a curb head on at about 20-25 mph Drivers front, tire popped, put donut on and noticed steering wheel cocked to the right when driving straight. Now the new tire is on and the wheel is cocked out at the top. Shop cannot align -we also replaced a bent lower control arm. I am scared to death that my engine cradle moved? Any ideas on the chances of that or how big of a mess I have here. Is this fixable? and can I get a new subframe if I have bent mine? argh! need some support! Attached Images __________________ 6-16-09 -2010 Camaro LT coupe-IOM 3-11-11- 2011 Camaro LT Convertible-IOM 8-09-12- 2013 Camaro 2LT/RS VERT -IOM Last edited by lUvMymaRo98; 09-01-2013 at 12:16 PM.

09-01-2013, 12:03 PM	#4
lUvMymaRo98 StingrayFleetBusinessMgr Drives: 2013 Camaro Convertible 2LTRS Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Orlando,Tampa, Florida Posts: 110 View My Garage	I took it into work (I work at my dealership) and after the new lower control arm was put on w a new tire the top of the drivers wheel was leaning out away from the car. They said we need to wait until Tuesday when another mechanic was there. I think we were only running a skeleton crew since it is a holiday weekend. They also mentioned she may be going to the body shop. I cannot believe this. Hoping for just a few more bent parts and no subframe involvement. __________________ 6-16-09 -2010 Camaro LT coupe-IOM 3-11-11- 2011 Camaro LT Convertible-IOM 8-09-12- 2013 Camaro 2LT/RS VERT -IOM

09-01-2013, 12:04 PM	#5
lUvMymaRo98 StingrayFleetBusinessMgr Drives: 2013 Camaro Convertible 2LTRS Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Orlando,Tampa, Florida Posts: 110 View My Garage	Good point about the passenger side Norm, I didn't think to look or ask, I was just staring at that drivers side thinking #$%^^&& __________________ 6-16-09 -2010 Camaro LT coupe-IOM 3-11-11- 2011 Camaro LT Convertible-IOM 8-09-12- 2013 Camaro 2LT/RS VERT -IOM

09-01-2013, 01:40 PM	#7
CHMSC ROAD COURSE JUNKIE Drives: 2012 SS/RS LS3 Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Somewhere Posts: 4,868 View My Garage	Don't hit curbs, they are baddddd. A good alignment shop or body shop should be able to help you find your problem. Although, even they can over look thins. I found my issue myself by putting the car on a rack and eyeing everything from side to side and comparing them. Take your time and do not rush while doing this. __________________

09-01-2013, 02:22 PM	#8
FAT-SS unBALAnced-10 Drives: 2010 Camaro SS Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: HOMEBODY Posts: 41 View My Garage	I hit a curb last December going about 20 - 25 mph also. The windshield fogged up and by the time I figured out how to turn on the defroster, BOOM. Front tire was flat, the drivers front wheel was dented badly and the rear drivers side wheel had a bad gouge but not dented. At least you only banged up the stock wheels. Mine were TSW Vairano's and I only had them for a year and a half before I had to replace them. Since TSW no longer make the Vairano's, I got the TSW Rockinghams on now. I had the same alignment problem also after I hit the curb with the Camaro pulling to the right. I took it to Firestone to get it aligned (lifetime alignment) and they wanted to drill a larger hole in the front drivers side strut so that they could align it and charge me $200 for labor (no new parts). I told them no thanks and I purchased a new strut (since the strut was bent from hitting the curb) and put it on myself then brought it back to Firestone for them to align again. Works fine since then AND I got new Wheels now. I only have pics of the rims after the tires were removed and a pic of the Camaro with the TSW Rockinghams. Now you have a good excuse to get new wheels too. Attached Images __________________

09-01-2013, 11:48 AM	#2
Norm Peterson corner barstool sitter Drives: 08 Mustang GT, 19 WRX Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Eastern Time Zone Posts: 6,990	If the engine cradle moved to put +camber on the driver side, that will normally put more negative camber on the passenger side. This is one thing you can probably check for yourself, and you can get pretty good numbers with a digital angle finder is you have a flat area to set up on. Did the shop tell you just why they could not align it? Norm

09-01-2013, 11:51 AM	#3
qcman Drives: 2013 Camaro 2SS RDP Tuned L99 Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Ottawa, Canada eh? Posts: 1,889	Sorry man I can only provide moral support but you have it.... I know that sick feeling though mine was less than 5 mph & seems okay. Anyways I'm sure some smarter guys here can help. At the very least you might want to have your dealer have a peek at it & see. Cam

09-01-2013, 12:35 PM	#6
Mmar88 Drives: 2013 BRM 2SS/RS/1LE/NPP/NAV Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Tonawanda, NY Posts: 237	Hey I'm sorry to hear what happened ! Best of luck with it!!!

09-01-2013, 02:26 PM	#9
Sikoriko Drives: 2011 V6 IOM Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: San Diego Posts: 1,385 View My Garage	Yeup happened to me the traction control light was on bent lower arm, scuffed up the rim, GM has a exchange progam for that. The dealer did a five wheel alignment, it is better then ever. 1100 gm dollars later. Expensive hobby

09-01-2013, 03:20 PM	#10
EastWood-SS Born To Run Drives: 2013 BRM SS/RS LS3 Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: . Posts: 474	It's OK... judging from your pics, atleast you remain physically attractive at the end of the day. Look in the mirror -- That should make you feel better. B) __________________ Just Lettin' the Night Roll... 2013 Blue Ray Metallic 1SS/RS Dual Mode Exhaust + Fuse Pull / CAI inc. CAI/ 1LE Strut Tower Brace/ ACS T4 Splitter/ SunRoof/ BA Audio/ Performance Shifter/ White Rally Stripes

09-01-2013, 03:26 PM	#12
SlingShot Drives: 2012 ZL1 - #670 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Seminole, Fl. Posts: 8,009	I'm sure they will get the car straightened out for you, be thankful you work for a dealership. __________________

09-01-2013, 04:16 PM	#13
Fiftydriver Drives: 2010 Camaro 2SSRS RJT L99 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Fort Shaw, Montana Posts: 1,242	Not much to add for encouraging words other then I am sure the frame is not bent so its likely its repairable. What I would say is Don't hit curbs, let alone at 25 mph!!! __________________ Fiftydriver 2010 SSRS, RJTC, L99, Maggie 2300 SC, 3.4" pulley, Roto-Fab CAI, Dynatech Supermaxx LT headers, Dynatech High Flow cats, Corsa Cat back exhaust, Dual Elite Engineering catch can, MSD wires and Jannetty custom tune, JRE custom diff w/ posi mod, 3.91 LPE gears, Pfaht trailing arms, Pfaht trailing arm and Diff bushings, drop springs and sport sway bars front and back, Fesler dual guage pillar pod w/ AM Cobalt Boost and A/F guages. More to come!!