RHS steering shaft bent

sriramr9 · 17th November 2012, 14:46

Today morning an unfortunate incident occurred where my 2012 GP right wheel got into a small ditch when driving very slowly without notice which is 5 feet deep with in ten minutes with help we were able to recover the vehicle from the pit. Now upon inspecting the bottom i see the right and side steering shaft that controls the wheel direction appears to be scratched and bent due to the weight of the vehicle,

i am attaching a picture of the same with teh round marking, as such there is no deviation or suffering in the steering operation, request your expert opinion in rectifying this issue at earliest.

Thanks & Regards,
Sriram.R
0-9444203316

a4anurag · 17th November 2012, 18:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by sriramr9

i am attaching a picture of the same with teh round marking, as such there is no deviation or suffering in the steering operation, request your expert opinion in rectifying this issue at earliest.

Thanks & Regards,
Sriram.R
0-9444203316

Have you taken it to the service center for a check up as it a crucial part why don't you get that part changed to avoid future problems and drive with a peace of mind than worry as to when it would give up!

I don't think it should cost you much money and time for replacement. Get the rims and suspension also checked up as that 5 feet pit would definitely have had an affect on its functioning.

Get this done ASAP!

sriramr9 · 17th November 2012, 18:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by a4anurag

Have you taken it to the service center for a check up as it a crucial part why don't you get that part changed to avoid future problems and drive with a peace of mind than worry as to when it would give up!

I don't think it should cost you much money and time for replacement. Get the rims and suspension also checked up as that 5 feet pit would definitely have had an affect on its functioning.

Get this done ASAP!

TY Anurag, the tire went and placed it self at 5kph speed only, no load was on the wheel, the weight of the car rested on the lower arm (damaged part marked in pic) only which is the result of its mangled and twisted look.

Post that, now while test driving (tested in flat surface) there is no steering jitter or wobble. the vehicle proceeds in a straight line.

i spoke to the TASS with the part number and the cost quoted was 2500 plus 1000 for labor (Rs).

Please advice.

a4anurag · 17th November 2012, 19:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by sriramr9

TY Anurag, the tire went and placed it self at 5kph speed only, no load was on the wheel, the weight of the car rested on the lower arm (damaged part marked in pic) only which is the result of its mangled and twisted look.

Post that, now while test driving (tested in flat surface) there is no steering jitter or wobble. the vehicle proceeds in a straight line.

i spoke to the TASS with the part number and the cost quoted was 2500 plus 1000 for labor (Rs).

Please advice.

Get them changed as it better for your safety. You have no idea as when the part could give away and any further hard bumps in future would deteriorate the part. Get it changed buddy. You'll have a piece of mind.

Anurag.

anandpadhye · 17th November 2012, 20:30

So the lowest part is the steering linkage and not the suspension lower arm?

My Tucson also went into a pit (right wheel) and we also got it out as fast as possible, but it was resting on the suspension lower arm for about half an hour before we could jack it up. I don't think it was the steering shaft in my case (if I remember correctly, the tyre shops that I go to for rotation, etc are too lazy to deploy the jack at the prescribed places on the chassis member and they lift the front wheels by placing the jack below this suspension lower arm unless I protest).

Can you double check?

audioholic · 17th November 2012, 22:53

The lower arm does not control the wheel direction. It is controlled by the tie rod. The lower arm is a suspension linkage. If it is damaged, it is most likely to show up in wheel alignment as a bad camber. Bad camber is less likely to cause steering issues compared to a bad toe or caster. So there could be a small camber deviation and hence you are not having steering issues. Also, the picture does not seem to be so clear to tell whether it is really damaged. Scratched is correct, but lower arms usually are of a little curvy nature. So it is best that you compare the left and right lower arms and check for differences. After that, you can either get the car lifted and inspected, or best taken to a wheel alignment center, where you will know if the hit has affected your wheel alignment.

sriramr9 · 17th November 2012, 23:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by anandpadhye

So the lowest part is the steering linkage and not the suspension lower arm?

My Tucson also went into a pit (right wheel) and we also got it out as fast as possible, but it was resting on the suspension lower arm for about half an hour before we could jack it up. I don't think it was the steering shaft in my case (if I remember correctly, the tyre shops that I go to for rotation, etc are too lazy to deploy the jack at the prescribed places on the chassis member and they lift the front wheels by placing the jack below this suspension lower arm unless I protest).

Can you double check?

Sure will do, i checked both left and right sides, the bend is there in both sides rods but in the right side its more pronounced as in my case (steering wheel side), which i presume could be the case of what happened today morning. shall post a close up tomorrow.

The way it happened, caused rear left wheel to lift up from the ground, so a person was made to sit in rear left seat to ease the lift, four men lifted the front right part of the vehicle and moved forward a few inches to the front, no jack nothing. once done i started the vehcile and inched to safety, no immediate changes/deviation in the steering feedback or wobble, hence the confusion.

As audioholic suggested, shall post detailed closeup pictures for reassessment, thanks audio.

dhanushs · 18th November 2012, 01:15

I think steering should be unaffected in situations like this.

What is shown in the picture is the lower arm. You will have to change it.

Dont worry, everything will be back to normal. Though, please remember to check alignment, not only toe values, as most shops do, but camber and caster. and make sure everything is OK.

vigsom · 18th November 2012, 16:01

@sriramr9 , I don't think your suspension arms are bent/damaged -am saying this as you don't seem to report any abnormality in steering your car.

just get the alignment checked and adjusted first - as DhanushS suggested , toe,castor and camber and if the values are fine , you're fine.

In Chennai , you could try Radial Trading Centre Usman Road OR Lal tyres Whites Road but do not mention anything about the car getting into the ditch.

Please PM me - I can see your car and give you my opinion.

audioholic · 18th November 2012, 16:29

If camber is slightly off, there will be no effect on the steering. My sx4 has a very slight deviation in camber, but there is zero pulling, or uneven tire wear etc. Any alignment machine can detect bad camber, if not fix it. Also, visual inspection of the wheel can determine if camber is seriously off.

Jaggu · 19th November 2012, 11:04

Get the vehicle to garage and first check wheel alignment, always a good place to start. This will give you an idea of the damage if any. With suspension and steering best bet is to go for a complete replacement. Not very expensive parts but will save lives and give peace of mind in the long run.

anandpadhye · 19th November 2012, 11:36

And as I said, I am curious to know if this really is the steering shaft or suspension lower arm! Can you confirm with the service guys and update the thread (title) accordingly?

It will be great, if you can take a pitcure showing the steering shaft and the lower arm so that we can learn.

As far as the remedy is concerned, if either of these is bent, just replace it. If it's not bent (only scrached) then you can consider living with it but only after making sure.

Cheers!

audioholic · 19th November 2012, 19:47

Please refer this image from another thread:

The thin rod is the tie rod and the arm is the Lower arm. As the name goes, it is the lowest suspension linkage. The tie rod is situated above the lower arm and in some cases above the drive shaft too. It is thinner as its only function is to steer the wheel. The lower arm, however, is much stronger and is thicker.

anandpadhye · 19th November 2012, 20:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by audioholic

As the name goes, it is the lowest suspension linkage. The tie rod is situated above the lower arm and in some cases above the drive shaft too.

So my question is - how can the tie rod get damaged without the lower arm getting damaged? Isn't that strange???

audioholic · 19th November 2012, 20:53

Sir, let me reconfirm that this incident has nothing to do with tie rods. In the case of this punto, if there is a damage, it is to the lower arm. The tie rod cant come in contact with the road surface as long as the lower arm exists, or something similar to that. The car was resting on its lower arm and not the tie rod. If it were the tie rod, it would have been bent even badly or would have got cut. Hence, it is usually located in an enclosed area and not exposed to the road in most cars. Same is the case with this punto. The lower arm protudes outside and hence, can sustain damage if the tyres fall into a deep pothole or ditch. Sometimes lower arm can also get damaged when we accidentally drive over a stone, and the stone passes just next to the wheel's inner side.
Here is a picture from my SX4:

17th November 2012, 14:46	#1
sriramr9 BHPian Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Chennai, Canada Posts: 216 Thanked: 46 Times	RHS steering shaft bent Today morning an unfortunate incident occurred where my 2012 GP right wheel got into a small ditch when driving very slowly without notice which is 5 feet deep with in ten minutes with help we were able to recover the vehicle from the pit. Now upon inspecting the bottom i see the right and side steering shaft that controls the wheel direction appears to be scratched and bent due to the weight of the vehicle, i am attaching a picture of the same with teh round marking, as such there is no deviation or suffering in the steering operation, request your expert opinion in rectifying this issue at earliest. Thanks & Regards, Sriram.R 0-9444203316 Attached Thumbnails
	() Thanks

17th November 2012, 20:30	#5
anandpadhye Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Pune Posts: 3,060 Thanked: 3,346 Times	Re: RHS steering shaft bent So the lowest part is the steering linkage and not the suspension lower arm? My Tucson also went into a pit (right wheel) and we also got it out as fast as possible, but it was resting on the suspension lower arm for about half an hour before we could jack it up. I don't think it was the steering shaft in my case (if I remember correctly, the tyre shops that I go to for rotation, etc are too lazy to deploy the jack at the prescribed places on the chassis member and they lift the front wheels by placing the jack below this suspension lower arm unless I protest). Can you double check?
	() Thanks

17th November 2012, 22:53	#6
audioholic Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: BengaLuru Posts: 5,954 Thanked: 21,223 Times	Re: RHS steering shaft bent The lower arm does not control the wheel direction. It is controlled by the tie rod. The lower arm is a suspension linkage. If it is damaged, it is most likely to show up in wheel alignment as a bad camber. Bad camber is less likely to cause steering issues compared to a bad toe or caster. So there could be a small camber deviation and hence you are not having steering issues. Also, the picture does not seem to be so clear to tell whether it is really damaged. Scratched is correct, but lower arms usually are of a little curvy nature. So it is best that you compare the left and right lower arms and check for differences. After that, you can either get the car lifted and inspected, or best taken to a wheel alignment center, where you will know if the hit has affected your wheel alignment.
	(2) Thanks

18th November 2012, 01:15	#8
dhanushs Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Chennai Posts: 4,433 Thanked: 11,470 Times	Re: RHS steering shaft bent I think steering should be unaffected in situations like this. What is shown in the picture is the lower arm. You will have to change it. Dont worry, everything will be back to normal. Though, please remember to check alignment, not only toe values, as most shops do, but camber and caster. and make sure everything is OK.
	() Thanks

18th November 2012, 16:01	#9
vigsom Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: NSEW Posts: 4,006 Thanked: 29,862 Times	Re: RHS steering shaft bent @sriramr9 , I don't think your suspension arms are bent/damaged -am saying this as you don't seem to report any abnormality in steering your car. just get the alignment checked and adjusted first - as DhanushS suggested , toe,castor and camber and if the values are fine , you're fine. In Chennai , you could try Radial Trading Centre Usman Road OR Lal tyres Whites Road but do not mention anything about the car getting into the ditch. Please PM me - I can see your car and give you my opinion.
	(1) Thanks

18th November 2012, 16:29	#10
audioholic Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: BengaLuru Posts: 5,954 Thanked: 21,223 Times	Re: RHS steering shaft bent If camber is slightly off, there will be no effect on the steering. My sx4 has a very slight deviation in camber, but there is zero pulling, or uneven tire wear etc. Any alignment machine can detect bad camber, if not fix it. Also, visual inspection of the wheel can determine if camber is seriously off.
	(1) Thanks

19th November 2012, 11:04	#11
Jaggu Team-BHP Support Join Date: May 2004 Location: Bangalore Posts: 20,383 Thanked: 17,294 Times	Re: RHS steering shaft bent Get the vehicle to garage and first check wheel alignment, always a good place to start. This will give you an idea of the damage if any. With suspension and steering best bet is to go for a complete replacement. Not very expensive parts but will save lives and give peace of mind in the long run.
	(1) Thanks

19th November 2012, 11:36	#12
anandpadhye Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Pune Posts: 3,060 Thanked: 3,346 Times	Re: RHS steering shaft bent And as I said, I am curious to know if this really is the steering shaft or suspension lower arm! Can you confirm with the service guys and update the thread (title) accordingly? It will be great, if you can take a pitcure showing the steering shaft and the lower arm so that we can learn. As far as the remedy is concerned, if either of these is bent, just replace it. If it's not bent (only scrached) then you can consider living with it but only after making sure. Cheers!
	() Thanks

19th November 2012, 19:47	#13
audioholic Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: BengaLuru Posts: 5,954 Thanked: 21,223 Times	Re: RHS steering shaft bent Please refer this image from another thread: The thin rod is the tie rod and the arm is the Lower arm. As the name goes, it is the lowest suspension linkage. The tie rod is situated above the lower arm and in some cases above the drive shaft too. It is thinner as its only function is to steer the wheel. The lower arm, however, is much stronger and is thicker.
	(1) Thanks

19th November 2012, 20:53	#15
audioholic Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: BengaLuru Posts: 5,954 Thanked: 21,223 Times	Re: RHS steering shaft bent Sir, let me reconfirm that this incident has nothing to do with tie rods. In the case of this punto, if there is a damage, it is to the lower arm. The tie rod cant come in contact with the road surface as long as the lower arm exists, or something similar to that. The car was resting on its lower arm and not the tie rod. If it were the tie rod, it would have been bent even badly or would have got cut. Hence, it is usually located in an enclosed area and not exposed to the road in most cars. Same is the case with this punto. The lower arm protudes outside and hence, can sustain damage if the tyres fall into a deep pothole or ditch. Sometimes lower arm can also get damaged when we accidentally drive over a stone, and the stone passes just next to the wheel's inner side. Here is a picture from my SX4: Last edited by audioholic : 19th November 2012 at 21:23.
	(1) Thanks