Expert: Michael Kakuk - 5/3/2010

Question
Someone was driving my car and ran over a median going about 35mph, the tire went flat and had to be put in the shop. They fixed the problem I thought, but I took it to get an alignment and they said they couldn't do it because the bar that runs from the tires was too messed up. They said it was either that or that the frame was bent, because if they tried to align it, it would be too short on one side. Problem is, I don't know what was actually fixed and I rode on it too long before trying to get an alignment. I have gone thru 2 sets of tires in 4 months. The middle of my steering wheel where the horns are, used to be horizontal and now it is vertical. What needs to be done to get it fixed and aligned?

Answer
WITHOUT KNOWING THE TYPE OF SUSPENSION IT SOUNDS LIKE Y0U HAVE A BENT INNER AND OUTER TIE RODS.
IT MAY BE THAT YOU NEED A STEERING RACK...THE INNER TIE RODS ATTACH TO THIS PIECE.

I WOULD TAKE IT TO ANOTHER SHOP FOR A SECOND OPINION.


THANKS
MIKE