Help!! I THINK IVE BENT AN AXLE!!!

[chris abell]

hi all, well basically i was travelling through a narrow lane a white van came flying at me i moved out the way as far as i dared but my front passenger side wheel hit a dry stone wall and brought my vehicle to a complete halt, i was only travelling at about 15 miles an hour, when i got out to inspect my vehicle there was no visible damage to the vehicle just a 4" piece of the edge of the wheel rim was bent round, i drove it home as it wasn,t far from where it happened but when i tryed to turn right into my street the wheels would only turn about a quarter of a turn to the right, it,ll turn full lock to the left but only a quarter of a turn to the right, but when i had chance to inspect the vehicle properly the passenger side wheel tilts in under the wheel arch and is now leaning inwards at the top roughly about 2-3" inwards, But what i needed to know is what is most likely the cause, is it easy to bend axles? or could it be something to do with the sphere etc? Any helping advice would be much appreciated!! Thanks all the best Chris:biggrin:

[TEMPL4R]

Jack the wheel up, probably snapped the top swivel pin off.

Chris

[thebiglad]

It's not at all easy to bend the axle - probably nigh-on impossible, but as Templar has said it will be related to the various devices, that hold the swivel unit in place.

Top and bottom swivel pins (sometimes know as kingpins) would be favorite to check first.

Do let us know won't you?

Cheers
Dave

[chris abell]

thanks for the replys!! much appreciated once the wheels jacked up how do i check if the swivel pin is broken etc will there be play in the wheel?:)

[thebiglad]

thanks for the replys!! much appreciated once the wheels jacked up how do i check if the swivel pin is broken etc will there be play in the wheel?:)

If either swivel pin is broken, it won't be just play, the wheel will be floppy !!!!!

Cheers
Dave

[chris abell]

thanks guys ive just jacked the wheel up and it is really loose and floppy!!! Cheers now i can get the bits and fix her!!!!:D

[thebiglad]

thanks guys ive just jacked the wheel up and it is really loose and floppy!!! Cheers now i can get the bits and fix her!!!!:D

It's quite a straightforward job to do, but if I my suggest, order both (top & bottom) new pins along with new swivel bearings and oil seals - do it once, do it right!!

Cheers

Dave

[P00DLE]

It's quite a straightforward job to do, but if I my suggest, order both (top & bottom) new pins along with new swivel bearings and oil seals - do it once, do it right!!

Cheers

Dave

well said, i would also have some one shot grease, assorted sviwel shims and wheel bearings in that order, all the bits should be around £50 - £60 and covers just about everything that you could have damaged except for the swivel itslef or the shaft / cv but i dont think these are likely.