Source
r/MechanicAdvice•
scottpid

2015 Kia Soul hit curb in snow, do I just need a wheel alignment?

Hit the curb going about 25 k/h.

The passenger side wheel is about 20 degrees out of alignment now. I cannot tell if the control arm or tie rod is bent, but it's not rubbing against the wheel wall. If they are bent, it's not super obvious.

Do I just need a front end alignment? That's what my friend seems to think - is a front end alignment meant to fix something that out of alignment?

Posted Feb 15, 2019, 5:35 PM UTC

16
Freekmagnet•

If the wheel is visibly pointed differently than it used to be, then you have bent part(s) that will need to be replaced, as well as an alignment. You need to take it to a shop equipped to do wheel alignments to be inspected by a qualified tech to identify exactly what is damaged.

2
kyden•

If it's visibly off, then something is bent and an alignment isn't going to fix it.

2
nomodspleasedont•

Can’t really say until after you do the alignment and see if everything’s back to normal

1
The_Bitch_Pudding•

Take it to an alignment shop, it sounds like you've bent suspension parts or the frame. They will be able to tell you what specifically has been damaged.

1
scottpidOP•

Thanks everyone

1
tanbro•

You must mean 2 degrees out, if it were 20 you wouldn’t be able to drive your car. In any case, if you take it in for an alignment they will look for anything bent prior to doing it.

1