Accident advice!!!

[Riz]

Hi guys
my car ran into a small pile of rocks off road and along with my heart, it broke some other couple of things.

To cut the long story short, toyota will replace the front bumper, aero bodykit parts, AC condenser grill (was dented), wiper wash reservoir (was damaged), front left headlights (dont know why), bottom plastic covers and panels, engine cover and the related accessories.

The supervisor told me that the front subframe was misaligned at about 0.5 inches, and as this subframe, unlike ordinary sedans, is NOT bolted but welded on to the chasis, it will be pulled into alignment and not replaced. How true is this? Can the front subframe be replaced?

Also, after the accident, the steering had to be kept towards right for it to go straight. So they will carry out an alignment and check if the suspension needs to be replaced. And if required, will replace that as well.

Will just aligning the subframe cause the car to be unbalanced/ will there be bad stress loading that can result in more damage in the future?? Kindly advice regarding this. A bit worried thinking about that possibility.

[juliog]

Originally Posted by Riz

Hi guys
my car ran into...

Your car, or you?

Technically, the 86 does not have a frame. Instead, like most cars these days, it has a unibody chassis:


Moderate bends can be "pulled" back into spec, which is what your shop is going to do.

Will just aligning the subframe cause the car to be unbalanced/ will there be bad stress loading that can result in more damage in the future??

Probably won't be as strong as originally, but it should not be a problem if the shop does a good job. I had an accident at the track last year and my chassis had to be pulled and reinforced in a couple places.

Also having gone through this myself, please have them check:

- Are the front LCAs straight?
- Do the damper assemblies look straight?
- Are the brake lines good?
- Is the steering wheel off center? -> If so, you need an alignment. Get front camber bolts while you're at it.
- Vibrations at speed or while turning? -> Wheel bearings need to be replaced.


My 2 cents.. not an expert!

[Riz]

Originally Posted by juliog

Your car, or you?

I ran into the rocks to avoid hitting a camel

nop! I was hooning

The part that Im talking about is the left-most (frontmost) beam in the pic you posted...the one behind the bumper. They showed me the top view pic of the beam and said it had gone half an inch out of alignment in the impact, so will be pulled back into alignment.

- Are the front LCAs straight?

dont know what LCA is...google told me "life cycle assessment. But 'something' tells me thats not what you mean.

- Do the damper assemblies look straight?
if you mean the engine mounting things, i guess they looked at that and said its fine.
- Are the brake lines good?
will ask them to check.

- Is the steering wheel off center? -> If so, you need an alignment. Get front camber bolts while you're at it.
They will do the alignment after they replace all the said parts. Which will hopefully by this weekend.

- Vibrations at speed or while turning? -> Wheel bearings need to be replaced.
I couldnt feel any vibrations. But they will check it out when they run the car.

[Turbo95eg6]

Lower Control Arm. I do like what you came up with, however.

[Riz]

Thanks...Im talking about the above part of the frame.

[Clembo]

You should be fine - very common repair and it sounds like your Toyota techs know exactly what they have to do. Should be good as new when they're done.

[Riz]

Hope so!! Currently using the company gallant. Parking where I want and not hitting zero mph while going over speed breakers and all the luxuries that come with a company rental. Will baby the 86 when I get it back. NO MORE HOONING!

except if i find myself in a 1 sq mile parking lot with no lightpoles

[Riz]

the red beam to the left in the picture where the front end of the A-arm (yellow) is connected to is what I am pretty sure is bent.


http://static.ed.edmunds-media.com/u...a_bottom_b.jpg