Bent front suspension advice.

[jeff_hooper]

Had another car pull out on me and smack into drivers front wing. Front wheel left moved back about 10-15mm and with loads of negative camber.

I stripped it down bodywork is just a wing and inner and outer trim. Strut mounting is bent and so is top of hub carrier (hence I think the extreme negative camber) so new ones being bought there.

I'd hoped to see that the wishbone was bent to explain the wheel moved backwards. I've carefully measured the sides from the back and the wishbone (where the balljoint attaches IS 12 mm further back than the undamaged side). I have a new wishbone and the old one looks fine undamaged in comparison.

I'm starting to thing bent subframe? I'll get the other bits and refit it all up and measure again which might confirm that its a bent subframe.

Any input would be appreciated. Have I missed something? Cost and availability of a subframe? After market tuning modes that might give me adjustment to get back within spec.. Subframe replacement actually looks like an easy enough job? Can't see any damage on subframe or bodyshell although difficult to see as 12mm on the end of the wishbone may only be a few mm at the wishbone mounts. What about getting it looked at by a repair specialist with a view to jigging the subframe/shell straight?

The car is totally unmodified (OEM shocks and springs 2 years ago - so original ride heights) late 1991 8V Mk2 GTI with 70k on clock I'm certain of no previous damage as I know my way around cars it was carefully picked and been in my hands since 3,000 Miles and 12 months old.

Many thanks any input experience would be appreciated.


Jeff 

[Trout]

Hello mate,
I smacked mine at Nurburgring and did pretty much the same but also managed to bend the beam axle.
Changed the wishbones, which are cheap, hub, beam axle and all the bushes. I had sh!t loads of neg camber on front and rear nearside wheels. It now drives OKish but handling is not too hot PASSED MOT...I have put Koni coilovers on.

I think it is worth getting it checked for alignment before anything else by a specialist which I now need to do. I think you can buy camber adjusters for older Mk2s.
Good luck...the bits are fairly cheap to get hold of and not a big deal to fit....but def get alignment done.
Trout

[jeff_hooper]

Thanks Trout,

I am only interested in getting this job fixed right and back with manufacturers specs. I run 5 cars and to be honest if I had to pick just one I have to say I get most overall enjoyment out of driving this one and that's against a modern Audi and another 70mph faster with 1/2 the 0-60 time (but needs an engine rebuilt ever 40,000 miles, destroys gearboxes for fun and should be left to idle for 2 minutes before you switch of each time you stop somewhere..LOL).

Driving it knowing something was out of manufacturers spec would really niggle me (even if I couldn't really feel it....). It also isn't a car to simply throw away by scraping it. I'm looking at £600 in bits as it is if that ends up several hundred more but gets the job done right then that's okay.

With VW stuff being a damn site cheaper than a minor problem with one of the my other cars or a years depreciation on a much younger car I just need to get it sorted, but sorted right.

Jeff

[Jay]

I run 5 cars

... what?

Some people have way to much money and time on their hands and others are jealous 

[OakeyDoak16v]

I run 5 cars

... what?

Some people have way to much money and time on their hands and others are jealous 

Not married then eh?

[jeff_hooper]

Yes married,

One car for wife one for girlfriend and three for me..

But I get to play with any of them anytime I like...


Jeff

[hobbiniho]

so you have seven things to play with lucky begger 

[jeff_hooper]

So no one seems to have any useful input on this one?

Jeff

[Village Idiots]

I have a goog straight Mk2 subframe if you need one, cheaper than scrapyards. Where are you?

[VeeDubGTI16v]

why dont you compare both sides of the subframe to see if anythings bent with a tape measure