Need Alignment Advice

[motorollow]

When leaving downtown Dallas Thursday night after a little rain, I was entering the the I-30 ramp off of Main street when I had a little accident. I was just about to enter the ramp (by the Julius Scheppe statue) and my rearend came around to the right, I corrected and I fishtailed to the left and then back to right and the car did a 180 and popped over the curb. I absolutely do not know how I do not hit the minivan beside me or the lamp post by the statue. I believe there must have been some oil on the road because it was just like being on ice.

I do not have any body damage, but the driver side rear wheel is now bent slightly inward even after replacing the damaged wheel with an extra wheel I had. I have to turn the steering wheel slightly to the right (15-20 degrees) to drive straight. I stopped by Firestone over the weekend and they could not see anything obvious that was bent or broken and suggested I take the car to Dallas Frame and Alignment.

Do you guys have a better suggestion than to take it to Dallas Frame & Alignment to have it checked out?

Thanks

[POS Racing]

Go to BAM's NTB Store in Lewisville, he can fix ya up!

[motorollow]

Go to BAM's NTB Store in Lewisville, he can fix ya up!

I know they do regular front end alignments, but it's the rear end I am worried about.

[POS Racing]

I know they do regular front end alignments, but it's the rear end I am worried about.

He does 4 wheel alignments (which would include all 4 wheels, front & rear )....

Send him a PM, I bet ya he can help!

[MadMerv]

If you hit hard enough to bend a stock rim, the long bolt that mounts the spindle to the lower a-arm now looks like an "S". If you losen the nut and turn it, it won't, and it won't come out either. You have to cut it in pieces with a reciprocating saw. That is THE weak link in the rear suspension. It's an easy fix, though.

[Darron65]

+1 on MadMerv's advice. Been there, done that.

[motorollow]

The 2000 Miata rim was not bent, it was just chewed up by the curb it hit. I had 3 extra rims and put one of those on. After I put the "new" rim on it was pigeon-toed like the one damaged. I talked to my nephew who is very knowledgable about this stuff and he thinks that one or both of the control arms are bent. I PMed BAM! and will go see him next week at NTB to get his opinion.

[MadMerv]

The 2000 Miata rim was not bent, it was just chewed up by the curb it hit. I had 3 extra rims and put one of those on. After I put the "new" rim on it was pigeon-toed like the one damaged. I talked to my nephew who is very knowledgable about this stuff and he thinks that one or both of the control arms are bent. I PMed BAM! and will go see him next week at NTB to get his opinion.

He doesn't know Miatas......... Check the bolt FIRST!!!!! I have never had to replace a rear a-arm on a Miata, and I've had some pretty bad hits. The sub-frame will go second.

[Darron65]

Go to the dealer and buy the damn bolt before bothering BAM! It costs around $10 if memory serves.

In the mean time, if you're even slightly mechanically inclined, you may be able to rotate the bent bolt so the bend is vertical. This will sort-of correct your toe-in problem. But replace the bolt ASAP.

[motorollow]

I pulled the wheel last night and the bolt is slightly bent. Bought a new bolt at the dealer this morning for $12 (it looks like something you could buy at Home Depot for $1). I will install over the weekend. I really appreciate the information!!

[MadMerv]

You're welcome :)