Whack a Hole

[red454]

I whacked a chuck hole with the right front wheel. Destroyed a tire, but did not damage the rim.

I put a new tire on and I see that the wheel sits about 1 inch back in the wheel opening (closer to the splash guard / rocker panel). Not good.

The vehicle drives straight, no pull. The steering wheel is centered. No vibration. The only thing I notice is on a tight right turn, the tire will rub the plastic wheel well.

I took the wheel off and looked underneath the car and there is no obvious damage. But something is certainly bent or shifted. I measured some key points between the drivers and passenger side, and there is definitely a 1 inch difference - the whole control arm sit back about an inch, and the strut looks to be pushed back too.

Any suggestions on where to look? Could the entire cradle have been shifted?

[harofreak00]

I did the same thing years ago, running into a curb. The control arm bent, pushing the wheel back into the fender. Replaced the control arm and all was well.

I have a used control arm if you are interested.

[red454]

Thanks - I will try to get under the car tomorrow and look at the control arm more closely. Thanks for the offer - there is a junk yard close by that has several Bonnevilles. But if that does not pan out, I may take you up on that.

One other thing I forgot to mention. I changed the ball joint a year ago with an aftermarket bolt-in style and I notice that it had also been pushed back about 3/16 of an inch. I loosened the bolts and shoved it back, but there was not much change in wheel position...

[red454]

I changed the lower control arm and that seems to have put the wheel back into position. Anyone know the alignment specs (toe in)?