Front End Damage

Hey guys/gals..Diesel from Chattanooga Tn. Newby here on TW..Wish I wouldve found this site a few weeks ago before I started on this project!

Quick run down, have a 06 Quad cab Pre Runner, 278k mi and climbing. Some tell me its worn out and get rid of it, but we just cant seem to do it! Too good of a truck and my wife bought it with 3 mi on it so she has a little sentimental ties to it.

Anyway, 3-4 weeks ago, she was in accident. the ol Taco tore the frontend off of a 16 Dodge Caravan. After getting it towed home, I started inspecting it to assess the damage. Best I could tell, RH LCA ripped apart at ball joint. Cant really see much more damage. The "hanger" or whatever it is where the LCA bolts up was bent a little but I got it straightened out. Went the cheap route with replacement parts due to not knowing for sure if it could even be fixed. Got on Ebay and ordered Kit with LCAs, inner and outer tie rods, sway bar links and all. Got new cam bolts from somewhere else. tried to straighten out cam tabs(unfortunately gonna have to place them now) I got the one side together but something is still off. I just have it mocked up, nothing is tight, its just hanging there but now, the top of my tire is hitting the UCA and no matter where i turn the cam bolts, I cant get the wheel anywhere near where it should be. With the LH wheel straight ahead, the RH side is turned 3-4 in out. Also, steering wheel is off about 1/4 of a turn, the opposite way of where it should be. It did take a pretty good hit, Im just wondering, do the spindles bend easily on these? By eyeballing it, it looks to be ok but now I am doubting myself on everything Ive done so far..lol

 

Yikes! Hope everyone is ok. As far as the spindles go, yes they do bend. Guys that off road their trucks often, do reinforce their spindles with gusset kits available from numerous manufacturers. That being said, I don’t doubt it could have bent with that impact. I mean to rip that cast knuckle off the LCA…. I’d be looking close and measuring the frame for both UCA/LCA mounting points as well. For piece of mind if nothing else.

also Welcome!