Post Accident Advice Needed

[Bruneti]

Well the LX protected our family this afternoon from a car that turned left in front of us at a light. Fortunately everyone involved was o.k. with the passengers of the other car only bumping their knees on their dash. I only wish I could show you a picture of their Neon that we basically drove over the hood of (after locking up the brakes and steering to avoid their passenger door). No airbags on either vehicle deployed, and I'm glad that ours didn't in this accident as it wasn't necessary. I had put my daughter's car seat back in this morning, and upon previously posted advice from members of this board had fastened the top strap from the back of the carseat to the 3rd row floor latch. This helped make the carseat very secure and helped hold her properly during the accident.

Now as I look towards repairing my LX450, I'd like some advice on what I should specify the shop to check out. I'm particularly concerned about the steering wheel being 180* off. I'd like some of you 80 series experts to post up what should be checked out in the front end and steering after an accident like this. I will pass this onto the shop that I choose to do the work.

Here's some pictures of the damage to my vehicle:

 

[Bruneti]

And a couple more:

Note that the steering wheel is pointing down, yet the front wheels are (relatively) straight.

 

[Bruneti]

I drove it home, since it was only about 1 mile. It drove straight with a very slight vibration, likely caused by the front left tire being slightly toed out now. I glanced at the front frame rails and they appear to be straight to the eye. The brackets between the frame and the bumper are skewed toward the passenger side a fair bit. I'm secretly hoping I can put on an ARB instead of an oem bumper...

Suggestions for possible hidden damage to look out for???

 

[Romer]

Use the money and replace the bumper with an ARB. If you had an ARB, you wouldn't have even been scratched. There is a link in the FAQ.

Make sure they check the frame for proper alignment and also make sure they throw a wheel alignment in.

I would take a real good look at all seams and have the AV Dryer checked out. Its on the driver side right behind the bumper. A good body shop will know what to look for.

 

[IdahoDoug]

I think he means AC drier - part of the air conditioning system that's right behind the left bumper.

Shouldn't be a challenge for a competent repair shop. Obviously your steering arm's bent or tie rod but they'd know that in a few seconds.

Glad to hear all is well with your family, especially the little one. Good job on preparing the safety seat for a real accident. Amazing how many folks just slap them in to comply with the law instead of taking an active interest in proper mounting as you did. That was the most important thing I get from this thread.

DougM

 

[TomH]

Bruneti

I just went through a similar experience with my LC. Wife nailed a BMW pretty hard - but no airbags deployed. Adjuster and body shop assumed all that was needed was an alignment. They were wrong. Turned out the frame needed a little straightening and the pitman arm and steering box had to be replaced.

I ended up with a rebuilt steering box which I'm a little disappointed with. The thing doesn't seem to have enough power assist. I'd push for a new steering box if required, but there's about a $2000 difference between new and rebuilt so you might have a tough sell with the insurance company.

Here are some of the details from my experience.

Tom

 

[LX_TREME]

Remove the front bumper and take look the AC drier, the bracket and both small aluminum pipes goes onto it.Hope no leak, otherwise you may need to empty the system and vacuum it and recharge the AC freon R134 about 2 or 3 small cans/ bottles.

If you need the OEM AC drier bracket let me know, i still have the orignal (OEM bracket) last time i did the mods.Also if you need the AC drier ( receiver ) here the part #88471-50020.You may need to order it because i just bought last piece from C-Dan last week.I don't know if he has new one in stock now.

 

[cruiserdan]

Pay close attention to the steering box. It is possible that the sector shaft is twisted. The other damage is superficial and as Romer observed a bumper such as an ARB would have survived much better and likely stopped the other vehicle before it got into your steering. If there is an issue with the box I would demand a NEW box or have the original box repaired with FACTORY PARTS. You can get an ARB bumper for about the same ammout of money as replacing the original bumper.

 

[Bruneti]

Thanks for the input guys. I'll compile a list of things to discuss with the shop who does the repairs.

The body shops in my town that are "certified" with my insurance company are just that - body shops. The body damage is pretty minimal, and probably the least of my worries compared to the mechanical. I'll likely take it to the Lexus dealer in Grand Rapids, MI since their body shop is certified with my insurance also. They will use their service dept. and oem parts for the mechanical repairs before the body shop starts their work. Hopefully they see enough of these trucks to know what they're doing. The other advantage of going with a shop certified with my insurance is a one year warranty on the repairs from the accident. This should be sufficient time for any hidden damage to make itself known.

I'll definitely be asking for a credit for the bumper related damage. Time to find out shipping on an ARB.

 

[MTNRAT]

I'll definitely be asking for a credit for the bumper related damage. Time to find out shipping on an ARB. [/quote]

Maybe find out about shipping etc on this.
Cheers,
Sean

 

[smokethedog]

looks similar to my encounter last fall. I had an arb, and it got trashed, along with the winch. Mine requred the frame to be straightened a little just where the arb bolted on, new headlight skirt, new hood hinges, alignment, new arb, new winch, and a new steering stablizer. Be sure to check the steering stabilizer, mine was leaking after the collision. My steering wheel was cocked about 45 degrees when rolling straight, so not as bad as yours.

If you dont know a good repair shop for that kind of work, you might call your toyota dealership and ask where the get stuff like this fixed. More than likely they will send you somewhere that buys oem parts from them.

Its a pain in the butt, but it can be fixed. Mine drives better now than it did before.

Good luck with the repairs.

 

[tacomafj-80]

similar wreck also. i nailed a rav-4 on i-10. ARB saved my but. only damage was some of the powder coating got messed up. the rav-4 was a diff story.

 

[Kasprzak]

The other advantage of going with a shop certified with my insurance is a one year warranty on the repairs from the accident. This should be sufficient time for any hidden damage to make itself known.

I don't know about where you are at, but most of the shops around the SLC area guarantee there repairs as long as you own the vehicle. I would press for much more gaurantee than one year. My mother had some one pull out in front of her hyundai 2001 xg300. No airbag deployment going 15mph. They guarantee there work for life on $9000 worth of repairs. I would definately press for a nice long warranty on the repairs.

 

[PHAEDRUS]

Most Insurance companies will warranty the rprs to the vehicle if they use their happy list shops as well, I know a little bit about it........
Make sure they check the sector shaft, pitman arm and relay rod on the steering. all can contribute to what you are seeing.
Dave

 

[tech_dog]

I had almost the exact same damage on the other side, but no suspension or steering problems.

Just the bodywork was estimated at $2,500.

T.