Bent Out of Shape: Rear Axle Trouble After a Nasty Knock (1 Viewer)

[warriorofthelost]

I was driving slowly (< 20 KPH) in a service lane when this hatchback, driving at a high speed, collided with me in a T-bone fashion. Before I could fully comprehend what had transpired, the hatchback driver had already fled the scene.

To my surprise, there was no visible exterior damage. I proceeded to inspect the mechanical components, and at first glance, everything seemed to be in order - AHC, 4-Lo, etc. were functioning properly. However, after driving a bit further, the VSC illuminated, displaying a 'steering angle zero point malfunction' error. This made sense, as I realised I had to hold the steering wheel at a 30-degree angle to maintain a straight trajectory. Upon pulling over and re-examining the rear wheel, I noticed it was significantly tilted 'back-to-front', reminiscent of an Acura with rear-wheel steering.

As I don't have comprehensive insurance, I'll need to repair this myself. My initial thought is that the rear axle or hubs might be bent. I've attached a couple photographs of the relevant components for reference (you can find a video as well here: )

I would be immensely grateful if one of you experts here could provide some guidance - thank you ever so much in advance!

2013 LX, 85k KM.

 

[goldwater58]

You should be covered under collision (not comprehensive) if you'd like to go the insurance route.

 

[bloc]

I can’t tell what is bent from the small video.

Things that come to mind from that accident description: rear axle shaft (needs bearing too, can’t be reused), axle housing, suspension linkages.

The odd thing to me is none of this should cause the VGRS system to go out of whack, or at least not to that extent without very obvious issues with the rear axle. VGRS is what’s most likely responsible for your steering wheel angle.

 

[TeCKis300]

From your description, it's very possible the axle housing has been bent. If you're lucky, it could be fine and the suspension links and or brackets have been tweaked. Particularly the panhard suspension link and brackets should be checked. I would also check the axle shaft bearings and axle shafts.

If the alignment has been impacted that you can see it tweaked, I definitely can see VGRS complaining.

 

[warriorofthelost]

Thanks a lot for the information, guys, it's super helpful. Sorry, it seems the pictures didn't get posted - I have attached them again with this message in case it's helpful for narrowing down the problem.

 

[bloc]

Thanks a lot for the information, guys, it's super helpful. Sorry, it seems the pictures didn't get posted - I have attached them again with this message in case it's helpful for narrowing down the problem.

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Bent rear axle shaft, at least. And that’s a pretty big job. Could be a lot more, you need to have a good mechanic look at it.

 

[Sandroad]

I agree with @bloc you need a professional assessment of the damage. Even if you do the R&R work yourself, I’d venture to say there is no reasonable possibility of determining extent yourself. You may end up doing something that doesn’t need to be done or missing something important. I’d start with an alignment shop to see what, if anything, is out of whack. I don’t see any damage to the wheel/tire that would indicate a hard enough hit to bend an axle or housing. Are you sure the hit was at the rear?

 

[Fisher23]

Looks like what has been mentioned above, bent rear axel. Also possible differential damage. Unless you live in the middle of no-where there are camera to track down the hit and run. ..

 

[linuxgod]

Is the other side misaligned too? If so it might just be a bent control arm. Seems weird you’d end up with a bent axle but no damage to anything else… the axle is pretty stout

 

[Boston Mangler]

I am willing to bet Tacos one of the speed sensor connectors, or wiring for it on the rear axle, become dislodged or damaged and is causing the VGRS lights.

Ive seen this more than once.

The sensors, and the wiring for them are quite vulnerable how they are located and how the wiring harness sits.

Relocation of the harness for this exact reason, is on my list of ToDos. I damaged the one on my tundra (sits in exactly the same position) a couple times, until i relocated it. Hitting the sensors started the christmas tree of dash lights

See below for the yellow portion, follow that to the speed sensors and check them and the plug connecting them.

As for alignment, i am not quite willing to bet tacos, but i will take an educated guess one of the control arm frame brackets are bent, not the housing itself. Stick head under and snap some pics of the brackets and see if any paint has peeled from them bending.

 

[Broski]

A bent axle will make the tire wobble and every time you stop it would be angled a different direction.
So most likely a bent housing, control arm, panhard bar or mounts

 

[warriorofthelost]

Thanks a lot for your help, guys, it's extremely helpful for me in terms of figuring out the next steps and tackling this in an informed manner. Regarding the tire & wheel, I have put on the spare in the pics - the original tire burst and the wheel got a little scratched up. The car is smooth to drive at 50 MPG (other than having to hold the steering at an angle), so my initial thought was that it's unlikely the axle got bent.

I tried to get hold of cops but couldn't (Ontario police) as they were too busy and kept giving me the run around. I'm a farmer and needed to return to the countryside due to some urgent farm work, so I had to give it up for now and leave the car at a friend's place in the city. I will share more pictures early next month when I return and also get a professional estimate of the damage.

 

[yOHda]

I would like to know which way you’re holding the wheel. That’s the passenger rear that’s bent. If you’re having to hold the wheel to the passenger side(steer into it), I’m going to say the axle is 100% bent.

Take a straight edge with you when you go back, you might be able to find a spot you can hold it against. It would be bent not too far behind the backing plate I would think.

 

[warriorofthelost]

I would like to know which way you’re holding the wheel. That’s the passenger rear that’s bent. If you’re having to hold the wheel to the passenger side(steer into it), I’m going to say the axle is 100% bent.

Take a straight edge with you when you go back, you might be able to find a spot you can hold it against. It would be bent not too far behind the backing plate I would think.

I hold it towards the drivers side (counter clockwise at about a 30 degree rotation.

What do you mean by a straight edge? Sorry I'm not following

 

[warriorofthelost]

I would like to know which way you’re holding the wheel. That’s the passenger rear that’s bent. If you’re having to hold the wheel to the passenger side(steer into it), I’m going to say the axle is 100% bent.

Take a straight edge with you when you go back, you might be able to find a spot you can hold it against. It would be bent not too far behind the backing plate I would think.

I hold it towards the drivers side (counter clockwise at about a 30 degree rotation.

What do you mean by a straight edge? Sorry I'm not following &_& - do you mean something to straighten out the axle with?

 

[Broski]

I hold it towards the drivers side (counter clockwise at about a 30 degree rotation.

What do you mean by a straight edge? Sorry I'm not following &_& - do you mean something to straighten out the axle with?

Straight edge, anything know to be flat and straight, a steel ruler for example.
Not sure what he means by 30 degree rotation.

 

[warriorofthelost]

I meant I need to hold it at the 10 pm position, if midnight is neutral for the steering wheel.

Since the consensus seems to be that the axle might be bent, does anyone want to take a shot at guessing the potential repair costs here at an honest mechanic's shop?

 

[Broski]

Don’t get to far ahead no one can tell what’s wrong with the pictures and information we have.
It could still be a bent control arm or mount. Or other things.

 

[Boston Mangler]

It could still be a bent control arm or mount.

My taco $ is on this

It takes a hell of a lot of force to bend a housing

 

[bjowett]

I was hit in exactly the same manner in my 200… the little Mazda that hit us had to be towed, blew the front end of that little bugger to pieces. No serious visible damage to the LC, just a scrape on the wheel… the vehicle drove home absolutely fine. We measured everything to rule out frame and axle damage. One lower link and the pan hard bar put the alignment back in spec. Your hit has obviously caused a bit more damage. Spend the time to find out where things are bent so the proper repairs can be implemented.