Help

My truck was involved in a collision with all the impact on the drivers side front wheel. After getting diagnosed at several shops, even the dealership, we found that the wheel was bent due to the blow. After buying a new wheel and getting it balanced and aligned the truck still seems to be shaking after a few days. Every time I go to get an oil change I bring the situation up but no one has done anything... I need help diagnosing what specific part it is that is out of alignment or bent. Furthermore, when I hit 70mph the steering wheel will shake violently in my hands so whatever it is I'm assuming is effecting the steering arm. If that isn't the problem to begin with.

 

just curious ... does it pull to the right (or left) ?

tie rod could be bent

ball joints could be bad

I would think you could absolutely positively rule out a wheel, if you put the spare on and it does exactly the same thing.

 

it pulls to the right, I'm constantly fighting it to steer straight. I agree with you about the tie rod.

 

Who did the accident repair? Go back to them and tell them it ain't fixed.

 

at the time the only problem was the tire and wheel. I ordered the rim from the dealership and the tire from Sam's. Do I just take it back to the dealership to get a quote and contact the insurance co.?

 

Find an alignment shop that locals use to set up autocross cars. One that has a tech that actually knows/understands suspension components, not one that just sets up the tool and looks for a green light.

They will find what is wrong. Have them write it up, and present it to your insurance agent as damage that was undiscovered at the time of the accident. If it's been too long and they deny it, well, at least you know how to get it fixed and who should do the work.

 

Checked tie rod ends, and all front suspension components? Might be hidden damage...

 

If you hit a wheel hard enough to bend it, you have other damage. I slid into a concrete curb and bent an aluminum rim on a car once, it bent the rear axle too.