Hit a boulder - need some advice

[W Powell]

I grazed a boulder at speed last weekend. Blasting down my favorite arroyo as the sun was setting and visablitly was poor. Bounced off the boulder (broke it into three pieces) and received a flat. Fixed the flat and immediately after driving the truck noticed the steering wheel was now at a 90 degrees with the vehicle going straight. In order to not inflict any further damage I had it towed to my favorite alignment shop. The owner wants to order a tie rod, upper and lower a arms, wheel bearing and knuckle. He is not exactly sure what is bent but wants to start there. Many of you on the this form know more about these vehicle than anyone else. Is this method of replacing parts prudent or overkill? I have an AHC override kit and also am wondering if I should spring for Slee's upper a arm kit while replacing the parts unless it money wasted. I really only need one a arm.

Many thanks in advance,

William in Santa Fe

 

[SALTY METHODS]

Sounds like overkill to me.

 

[Sandroad]

All those parts and yet he's "not exactly sure what is bent"? That should be your clue imay be overkill. It seems to me an alignment shop should know how to figure out what's bent. However, if you hit a boulder hard enough to break it, you may be needing a lot of parts!

 

[re_guderian]

Did you look underneath? Post up some pics...

 

[mcgaskins]

I'm surprised he didn't diagnose you needing a solid axle swap considering you're halfway there with his parts list! I agree it's overkill - if he doesn't know what's bent you need to take it somewhere where they can figure it out.

 

[TXLX100]

You know how big of a rock you hit. If the steering is off that bad, the suggested parts don't sound bad to me. Did they put it on the alignment rack and make adjustments before diagnosing? Seems like some of those parts could be inspected visually also (maybe not steering knuckle). Did it vibrate when you drove it after the collision?

 

[hondarepairman]

Do you have a print out with all the specs, Including s.a.i? Inspecting for bent parts can be tricky but it doesn't have to be pure guess work.

 

[stonepa]

How does the truck drive? Just because the steering wheel is 90 degrees off doesn't necessarily mean anything. While driving my FJ60 I was run off the road by a wrong way driver and hit a street curb head on at 60 miles an hour. My steering wheel did the same thing. After a thorough check out it was determined that the steering wheel had somehow turned on the steering rod (probably because I was gripping so hard when it the curb). Anyway, the Toyota dealer mechanic removed the wheel, realigned it, and all has been well since.

Have someone competent check out the front end top to bottom. It could be nothing or it could be expensive.

I wonder if insurance covers this sort of thing?

 

[TXLX100]

How does the truck drive? Just because the steering wheel is 90 degrees off doesn't necessarily mean anything. While driving my FJ60 I was run off the road by a wrong way driver and hit a street curb head on at 60 miles an hour. My steering wheel did the same thing. After a thorough check out it was determined that the steering wheel had somehow turned on the steering rod (probably because I was gripping so hard when it the curb). Anyway, the Toyota dealer mechanic removed the wheel, realigned it, and all has been well since.

Have someone competent check out the front end top to bottom. It could be nothing or it could be expensive.

I wonder if insurance covers this sort of thing?

I think it would be covered under comprehensive insurance if applicable. I had a similar deal occur.

 

[OUbobcat20]

This^^^^^

This is why we pay a monthly premium every month for................although I strictly carry minimum coverage on mine.

 

[12guns]

Yes insurance would cover this assuming you carry Collision coverage. It's not a comp claim.

 

[TXLX100]

Yes insurance would cover this assuming you carry Collision coverage. It's not a comp claim.

I hit something that wasn't supposed to be in the road and State Farm agreed to let the claim be comprehensive. I guess it would depend on the circumstance.... Like if a boulder was rolling down a hill and hit the car or if it was stationary on the side of the road.

 

[12guns]

The policy will have very specific language in regards to collision vs comprehensive. Normally it has to be a falling object, wind, storm, hail, animal, or water damage to be comp. collision is everything else including blown tires and such. Maybe State Farm is different, or maybe they cut you a break.