Hi People,
New here and trying to learn. My girl's son slammed her 1996 neon into the curb so hard that the dr. side set were near 90*. The mounts were fairly straight as the arms just gave out ( the bolts did not need to be pounded out) We got replacement arms from the wreckers but she still leans out at the top of the wheel. I saw some adjustible rear control arms for later models (2000-2005?)and wondered if any were made for a 1996 or if those would funtion on one? Am I looking in the wrong direction? I did not see damage to the cartridge, could it be knocked out some how? I'll try some pics...
dodgeneonACR98
08-07-2008, 06:59 AM
Is it possible that the rear strut on that side is also bent? Just by looking at the top pick I can see where the top of the strut has been moved out(or the bottom moved in), if you look at the top bolt going thru the struts you can see where the strut has moved and exposed where the nut used to be tightened down at. Judging by the amount of damage done to the control arms Im going to bet that the top of the strut or strut mount has been damaged also. The strut mount bolts to the trunk and it's made of a rubber compound. If the mount has been ripped and allowed the strut to shift at the top, it just may be the problem. Im only guessing tho. It seems to me that there are two weak links here where parts can get bent up. The top of the strut and the controll arm. Are you sure that the controll arm mounts (where they mount to the car and out by the tire) arent also bent?
If you can get an underside pic of the good side just like the one of the bent side it would be a good thing to compare the two. To me it also looks like there might be another problem that you might not be aware of. Id need to compare yours (hers) to a good one tho. It almost looks as if the part of the body where the controll arm connects has shifted and broken a weld. It may just be nothing tho. Anyhow in the first pic you see the bolt circled. In the 2nd pic you can see what I mean about the body being damaged. If in fact it even is damaged. I may just be seeing things. Or atleast seeing something that don't matter. Good Luck with it!
dodgeneonACR98
08-07-2008, 07:09 AM
Here is the second pic. It didn't take the first post.
Almostnormal
08-07-2008, 09:05 AM
Hi dodgeneonACR98,
Thanks for taking the time to respond so clearly!!
The car is in Reno (I am in Livermore ,Ca.)and I am going back tonight, I now have more to investigate. I saw the bolt circled in red and repositioned it and attempted to adjust. I will supply some more pics on Sunday or sooner. I thought that there must be other damage but was hopeing not, lol. The strut I didn't check the soft mount or metal at the top either. Lots to look at as well as both ends where the control arms mount. Thanks again, Mike
72 rs
08-07-2008, 01:17 PM
it looks as if the trunk floor was hit by the control arm when it got bent.
Almostnormal
08-07-2008, 03:34 PM
Yes,
The trunk got hammered also. The cross bar looks good (where the mounts attach). I am going to see the car again this weekend and take more pics...the good news is I only have ten bucks into the repairs for the replacement arms.The trunk getting beat up may have thrown off the mounts positioning? Thanks for responding, Mike
dodgeneonACR98
08-07-2008, 11:05 PM
it looks as if the trunk floor was hit by the control arm when it got bent. Good eye! I didn't notice that till now. Thats explains why the cross bar looks like it's gapped. It wasn't bent down, the trunk was bent up. LOL
Anyhow I would think it would be the strut being bent or the mount torn before I would think that the underside of the car was the problem.
Just out of curiosity what did this boy do to hit the curb so hard? Looks almost as if he power slid it into a curb and didn't slow down. Good Luck with it man!
rice_eater
08-09-2008, 03:48 PM
All I had to look at is the first pic of the control arms twisted like a pretzel. I'd put money down that your frame is bent. Maybe not severely, but it'd be a good idea to have the frame pulled if you ever want the alignment to be right again. It doesnt take much on a unibody car.
Other things I noticed... stut has been tweaked, check out the bolt. see the shiny new paint on the right side (instead of being mud/dust covered)? There was enough force to move a torqued mounting bolt, so the strut is likely shot also, and if there was that much force you couldve very well damaged the upper strut mount and bent the unibody up there as well. Shame... looksl like a really clean car.
My guess as to what will need replacing:
LR spindle
LR lower control arms (both)
LR trailing arm ("strut bar" - the forward one)
Both rear struts (always replace in pairs)
Both rear strut mount (always replace in pairs)
LR wheel
Have the LR brakes checked out, make sure everything is OK
Have the frame pulled
Have a 4-wheel alignment done
My other questions would be if the LR hit the curb that hard, how hard did the LF hit? My guess is there's some amount of damage to the front as well.
Oh and last question... How the heck do you hit a curb that hard... in CALI of all places where there is no snow???
Almostnormal
08-11-2008, 08:44 AM
Yeah the lad power slid in the rain at a high rate of speed. He is lucky there were no injuries, and now he gets to repair his screwup...at least no one got hurt. You are 100% correct about the strut I will show pics tonight...the strut mt was pulled away from the strut 1/4" and the holes were elongated and out of alignment...also the backing plate is bent...junkyard strut...were getting closer...now to the front....
Almostnormal
08-12-2008, 12:17 AM
The car and the kid are in Nevada..yeah it only rained once recently but his timing and skills both suck. Here are pics of the strut and a big part of the angle is resolved with the replacement. Thanks for the tip about replacing both struts and if she can sit right we will, so far the kid has come up with the thirty bucks we are into it so far. This will take some time as I am not putting in anything but incentive. The frame looks "straight" and the trunk is pushed away for sure. We still have to address the front end that also absorbed a wallop...the hit side is turned out while the passenger side is straight and the wheel needs replaceing also...one thing at a time I am not rushing to get this kid going and doing it for him is insane. We do really appreciate all of your input as we needed focusing and all I can say is THANKS and i'll try keep you posted as we proceed. Mike
dodgeneonACR98
08-12-2008, 07:23 AM
That strut took a beating. Glad we could help you out Mike.
In the 2nd pic there of the two controll arms left/right it looks to me as if the left side is sagging lower still. Is the newer strut on there in that pic?
Almostnormal
08-12-2008, 09:19 AM
That is the old strut. Next time I'll try remember to shoot the Fixed rear view!
Mike
