Tow truck

[Geebo]

Well yesterday during the little rain we had a tow truck turned right into my jeep pulled right out in front of me..anyway no visible damage..so we exchanged info. and I came home and noticed this.(PIC) the bracket that holds my front pass. side lower control arm got tweeked big ole crack...can that be easily fixed? I really don,t wanna hassle dealing with insurance companies, if I can avoid it..Thanks

[aw12345]

We can try to straighten it and weld it. I also have a good axle housing sitting on the patio

[Geebo]

Awesome Art, that sound s sweet..PM sent!!Thanks

[Schmo]

Glad to hear it wasn't worse and that you weren't hurt at all, especially with your bad back. That shouldn't be too bad . . . there are a couple of companies that make replacement brackets . . . we could chop that one off grind the tube down nice and smooth (got lots of grinding practice from Josh's Jeep) and have a new bracket welded on. I'd be more comfortable replacing the bracket vs. trying to bend it back as they are weak enough before being messed with.

[Lumpy Grits]

When you get it welded up go and have the front alignment ck'd and tell the other guy HE IS paying for it !!
You MAY have "hidden" damage that WILL show later.
Is your steering wheel still "clocked" the same as BEFORE the impact?
Respectfully,
LG

[Geebo]

no it wasn,t ,it got un clocked..lol..but that I know how to fix and did after 4 times tryin..but it is now straight..

[Lumpy Grits]

no it wasn,t ,it got un clocked..lol..but that I know how to fix and did after 4 times tryin..but it is now straight..

It got "un-clocked" for a reason, you didn't fix anything you "hid" it is all.

You THEN have some other front end issues from the impact(something is bent somewhere!)and should have it checked ASAP. This is so your "claim" to the other driver is valid.
This is after all is said and done it's YOUR STEERING.
Make the OTHER driver pay for this "out-of-pocket" IF he doesn't want the insur. brought in.
Respectfully,
LG

[Jeeperator]

Time for a dana 30 high pinion upgrade.Fully funded by the other guy.

[rr_cj6]

Must've been a hard hit to rip the bracket like that...or it doesn't take much. I agree, forget trying to hammer it back straight and re-welding. For not much more work, you can have a new bracket welded on there that you can assure is straight. How's the control arm?

Otherwise, like Jeeperator said, excuse for an upgrade?

[Geebo]

Well as it stands right now I,ll just have a mechanic friend of mine look at it if he see,s more the that bracket damaged, then I,ll call the Tow Truck company..Thing is I am really sick., that day I was leaving the Dr.,s Office on my way to the Lab. for a whole bunch of tests done so not really in the mood to deal with it for a few days..

[rr_cj6]

Well as it stands right now I,ll just have a mechanic friend of mine look at it if he see,s more the that bracket damaged, then I,ll call the Tow Truck company..Thing is I am really sick., that day I was leaving the Dr.,s Office on my way to the Lab. for a whole bunch of tests done so not really in the mood to deal with it for a few days..

Hope you get well soon, man...

You're right, better not to stress over the Jeep...I'm sure it can be fixed in a snap...

[aw12345]

The lower control arm does not position the axle sideways so for the bracket to be ripped like that it's time to take a look on how things are fairing with the trackbar and it's bracketry on the frame as well as the axle. Like I said I have a good axle housing. However I would strongly suggest to take it to a good body shop for a check to see if the frame is straight and get an estimate for a repair, it might just buy you a nice set off chromemoly axles and maybe a locker. For the steering to be off center there is more happening than just that bend bracket, that would not change the position of the axle of center. The trackbar is what determines the side ways position of the axle and if the steering is of and for the lower control arm bracket to move like that the axle changed position from it's original location. So contact the tow company get their insurance info and when you are feeling better get your estimate

[Schmo]

x2 on getting the insurance information from the Tow Truck Company and get it taken care of properly. Being a nice guy in this type of situation, usually results in you getting screwed. Especially with this being a Tow Truck company . . . their reputation is right up there with lawyers and used car salesman . . . I wouldn't trust them for a second. Chances are, if the hit was hard enough to do that to the bracket, there are other problems that you just haven't noticed yet and you'll have one hell of a time getting them to pay up down the line when other issues arise. Sorry to hear you are under the weather on top of all of this, but I think it would really be best to just bite the bullet, stop trying to be a cool dude, and go thru the proper channels with the insurance company.

[Geebo]

Thanks guys I did file a claim this morning ..with the iinsurance company (theirs) while I was doing that the driver that hit me in the Tow truck his supervisor called me and said he heard nothing about it,and that his driver 'the one involved' was going to get disipliary actions taken against him also this guy was saying how sorry he was and for me to get a estimate and let him know how much..I guess hoping I wouldn,t file a claim..but I did..Thats where it sits now..we,ll hear from an ajuster by 1st of the week...

[Schmo]

Thanks guys I did file a claim this morning ..with the iinsurance company (theirs) while I was doing that the driver that hit me in the Tow truck his supervisor called me and said he heard nothing about it,and that his driver 'the one involved' was going to get disipliary actions taken against him also this guy was saying how sorry he was and for me to get a estimate and let him know how much..I guess hoping I wouldn,t file a claim..but I did..Thats where it sits now..we,ll hear from an ajuster by 1st of the week...

Good job Geeb . . . glad you decided to handle it this way vs. running the risk of this becoming a mess for you. Chances are with the bend over and grab your ankles prices that most pro shops charge, you'll be able to take the check that they give you and do some nice upgrades by doing some of the work yourself and having some of the pros around here help you out with the stuff that's over your head. Looking at my crystal ball, I see Cromolly axle shafts and a front locker in your future!!!