987HYS

iTrader: (1)

Ok, well here is what happened. Saturday I was exiting off the highway towards my house on an off ramp that I am very familiar with. The off-ramp has an S turn in it and is a lot of fun, so I took it faster than the recommended speed. There is a lot of construction around the area and the high winds that day put a layer of dust on the road. This caused me to push (under steer) and I was headed for the retaining wall. In an attempt to do what I could, I tapped the brakes to get the car sideways (to continue the turn) and the right side of my car rode the curb to straighten out. I bent both my rims and driving home, I noticed that the steering wheel was a few degrees off (I am hoping that an alignment can fix that).

After returning to the scene, I noticed that there was a temporary barricade along the left side of the ramp narrowing my lane. All these things combined was a recipe for disaster, and after it was all said and done, it could have been a lot worse if I jumped the curb into the wall.

I am going to put my stock wheels back on for now until I can get my wheels fixed. However the only thing I am worried about is if I did anything to the suspension when I hit the curb. I finally got around to taking off the wheels today (I was too upset to do it earlier) and got my first look at the suspension. Unfortunately I really don’t know what I’m looking at, and there are a few issues that I am fearful might be a problem. The upper control arm may or may not be a little contorted, and where it attached to the frame it might have gotten pushed up a little. Another thing I noticed was the bushing for the sway bar had moved a little and I don’t know how big of a deal that is.

I have attached some pics and if anyone has any suggestions or comments on how my suspension looks, I would really appreciate it. I am able to borrow a car this week, so I am trying to get back on the road with a limited budget. I was not planning on this, as you never are.

Thanks for your help

Scott

Gecko69

it does look elevated a little bit....I just istalld my springs and I will tke a look in the morning and post back.........sorry to hear about your accident.........i am pretty sure they should be almost level with each other......why dont you look at the opposite side and compare as well.

987HYS

iTrader: (1)

yea, i havent had a chane to look at the other side because the car is in the garage now, and i have the right side on jack stands till i can put my stock wheels back on. I really didnt want to be moving the car around too much on those wheels beause i am trying to salvage the tires, and just dont want to risk doing any more damage than is already present.

I am going to get the tires moved fromt the BBS's to the stocks till i can get the wheels fixed. Hopefully everything can work out with an allignment. I think i am going to have the car alligned at Mazda and see what they have to say about it.

987HYS

iTrader: (1)

Alright, i now have my stock wheels on the passenger side of my car, and i defineatley need an allignment. I have a appt. set up for thursday morning at my local Mazda dealership.

I did notice that my RF corner had dropped about 1/2 inch. Anybody know how serious of a problem this is? can an allignment fix it?

Thanks

Scott

DOMINION

Let us know if the allignment fixed if for you. Looks like your going to need a new wheel.

987HYS

iTrader: (1)

I took the car to the Mazda dealership to have them do the alignment yesterday, and take a look at everything to make sure i didnt bend anything. they said that everything looked alright, and i am back on the road. i got lucky this time