Hit a tree stump on side of dirt road, steering wheel at angle!

Trying to avoid a big pothole on this dirt road, I did not see a short tree stump at right, and went over it.

Now steering wheel is, maybe 5 degrees(?) off the nominal position.

I am certainly due to an alignment (and tires) anyway, so there is the incentive to get one!

Can I assume I did not bend or otherwise wreck any parts, and an alignment would normally take care of it?
So far, a casual visual inspection does not show any issue, car drives fine, steering feels a little stiffer than normal. Almost 50k on odometer, still on stock tires...

 

<Insert smart ass part it out comment here>

It should be fine just align

 

Tell the alignment shop you hit a stump and hope it’s just an alignment.

 

I got you,


Part Out?

 

This. If it's a decent shop and you gave them a heads up that you nailed something they should do an inspection before the alignment and advise you if anything was damaged. Most likely culprit would be outer tie rod ends. They're typically the engineered failure point for steering components.

 

Be sure the shop checks the spindle. I've seen these things bend form hitting big bumps/rocks before.

 

Based on the OP own writing, I would bet that both the upper, lower, steering rack, and frame are all bent, and the wheel is probably split into two pieces, and the tire is the only part holding it all together.

Wait, is it Monday?

 

2012 with less than 50k on the odometer ... impressive

 

I did this once when I was wheeling it just knocked my allientment out,got it aligned good to go.

 

My steering wheel is worse than that after a shitty alignment job at the local Toyota dealership.
Get an alignment at a real front end shop.

 

An alignment would likely fix the issue.
But you say you are “due an alignment” and by the pictures, the lower control arms are pretty rusted.
Which make me nervous about those cam bolts. They like to seize, and when they do, you aren’t getting an alignment. You’re getting new bolts and bushing. And more often than not, you get a whole LCA.