Expert: Michael Kakuk - 10/30/2009

Question
Hello. I was in a minor rear end collision this week. A young guy ran into the back of me. There was a bit of impact and I could feel it. I was really surprised when I got out that it had only left a long black scuff mark along my bumper (about 4 feet long where his bumper hit). I figure I would just have the paint touched up.

However, its been a couple days and I'm noticing my car is pulling to the left now. The alignment was fine before. Is it possible that the rear end collision threw off my alignment?
I have a 2007 Sentra.

Thanks.

Answer
JILL.....IT DOESN'T SOUND LIKE YOU HAVE STRUCTURAL DAMAGES BUT TO BE SAFE I WOULD RUN BY A BODY SHOP AND ASK TO HAVE AN ESTIMATE DONE. ASK THE SHOP TO SEE IF YOUR REAR FLOOR HAS BEEN DISTURBED AND IF THERE IS ANY DAMAGE TO THE BUMPER REINFORCEMENT THAT THEY COULD SEE.

IF THERE IS NOT ANY FRAME RAIL/FLOOR MOVEMENT THEN THE IMPACT SHOULD NOT HAVE AFFECTED THE ALIGNMENT OF THE VEHICLE.

I WOULD HAVE THE TIRES ROTATED AND POSSIBLY ALSO BALANCED AND SEE IF THE PULLING GOES AWAY AFTER THAT HAS BEEN DONE.

GOOD LUCK
MIKE