Estimate? Worth fixing?

Hi - I have a 2003 tacoma with a fabtech lift, mickey thompson rims and was in an accident that insurance claim wont accept. Not drivable as the steering components have been damaged from the accident. Will have to pay out of pocket. Current the truck has 155K and was wondering how much it would be to fix up?

 

Not sure on the cost to repair, I'm sure others will chime in.

I want to know what happened? Did the ball joint fail or separate?

Peter in SA

 

Is it just an outer tie rod and a new tire?

 

If it’s just the outer Tie rod ($60) if you go oem, else like $30 for the moog ones and whatever a rim and tire cost. Not too bad… and probably an alignment ~$80-$120.

However more info on what happened would help. Also a picture with the tire off would be awesome.

 

Cv and wheel hub gots a little going on there too no?

 

I’d venture your inner tie rod and or entire steering rack needs to be replaced after what that outer tie rod endured. CV axle looks a bit crooked. Lower ball joint also wise to replace after that event. Could be well over $1,000 in parts. All that said definitely worth saving. Can’t give up on that nice of truck for $1-2k. Fix her up.

 

My taco came to me with a rebuilt title. There was a similar accident I believe. I found the inner tie rod slightly bent and a slighly bent steering rack center rod that cluncked when I hit bumps just right. (This was after I did upper and lower ball joints and inner and outer tie rods/ends) I did tighten the tension roller and that helped some.
Prev owner had replaced the tie rod end but left the beat up inner and rack.
I replaced the rack.
Drives great now.

 

Save it... most likely you should replace your ball joints but they seem to be fine, maybe a CV? You only really have to replace the tie rod end and a tire, both you could get for cheap. If you are willing to dump a little more money, maybe invest in CV or ball joints, up to you.

 

rebeed the tire. Slap an inner and outer tie rod on it and take it to a good alignment shop and have them look it over.

 

OP
Insurance Adjuster here(25yrs in)

what exactly happened in the crash?
I don’t see an obvious impact to rim.

if a suspension part failed, that would not be covered. However, resulting damage would be covered.
I.E. fender/fender paint/color match to drvr door/rim/tire etc

This is assuming you had coverage on the Taco

Lots of variables here for a correct answer and ballpark estimate
Let everyone know

 

Tire has a hole in it, lower left big one near the sidewall.