Possible Bent Tie Rod/Drag Link, or Something Else?

[steveorama]

After an accident last year, I’ve had my suspicions that some repairs weren’t done to spec. Long story short, I was t-boned by a Mustang into the driver’s side tire. Cosmetically the damage was minimal, but ended up in resulting in frame damage. The shop did a frame swap, a complete new front axle assembly, new left steering knuckle, and a new front sway bar. I don’t put many miles on so nothing jumped out when driving other than the occasional knocking sound at full turn to the left. I even have taken a few long road trips since, but all highway. Nothing is out of the normal when driving other than the knocking/popping on hard turn.

Lately I can’t help but think something’s not right on the steering geometry. As you can see this is the tie rod and drag link with the wheels straight. This looks like a lot less clearance than before.

Looking closely the drag link and tie rod are hitting at hard left turn on flat ground. The paint is even being scraped off both where they meet.

So what’s the most likely cause? Something installed wrong or a bent part?

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[Commodus]

After an accident last year, I’ve had my suspicions that some repairs weren’t done to spec. Long story short, I was t-boned by a Mustang into the driver’s side tire. Cosmetically the damage was minimal, but ended up in resulting in frame damage. The shop did a frame swap, a complete new front axle assembly, new left steering knuckle, and a new front sway bar. I don’t put many miles on so nothing jumped out when driving other than the occasional knocking sound at full turn to the left. I even have taken a few long road trips since, but all highway. Nothing is out of the normal when driving other than the knocking/popping on hard turn.

Lately I can’t help but think something’s not right on the steering geometry. As you can see this is the tie rod and drag link with the wheels straight. This looks like a lot less clearance than before.

Looking closely the drag link and tie rod are hitting at hard left turn on flat ground. The paint is even being scraped off both where they meet.

So what’s the most likely cause? Something installed wrong or a bent part?

If you’re within a year of accident repairs call your insurance company and go back to the frame shop for a thorough inspection. This is hidden damage not caught first time around

 

[steveorama]

If you’re within a year of accident repairs call your insurance company and go back to the frame shop for a thorough inspection. This is hidden damage not caught first time around

Just rolled past one year in November. I'll check on the warranty with the shop paperwork. I really hate dealing with the shop though. It was a terrible experience dealing with them and if it wasn't for me pointing out additional issues the first time they tried to turn it back over, I never would of even known the frame had a small diamond bend and had it replaced. Also a bunch of punch list issues as well that I finally gave up getting the last few fixed as they actively were avoiding my calls. It's a major chain collision center too.

At this point if I can identify what's damaged or installed wrong I would just replace/upgrade the parts myself. My best guess is it's the drag link that's off, but I can't seem to compare how. It's only installed at two points and since the steering wheel is straight and the Jeep is tracking straight down the road, I'm at a bit of loss on what's up.

 

[steveorama]

I crawled under today and I'm fairly confident the tie rod is bowed forward. That seems like it would make sense for the clearance issues with the drag link and still tracking straight with the alignment.

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