Ogrekhan Posted February 14, 2012 Share Posted February 14, 2012 Found it with the drivers front rim of my 83 GL wagon while sliding around a corner to be exact. The rim is toast but more importantly now my car wants to turn left if I take my hands of the wheel. I pulled the the trashed rim off and inspected for damage.. nothing busted or bent as far as I can see. However after putting my spare on it still goes hard to the left if I don't hold her straight. So I have a couple questions...will any of the steering parts..tie rods etc off my 87 wagon donor car fit my 83? Second any Ideas on what went wrong ? I don't have any wobble/jerking in the steering wheel and no odd noises. I'm wondering if the alignment could just have been knocked that far out or if it is something more serious. Thanks in advance for any info/advice. Jeremy.S Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bheinen74 Posted February 14, 2012 Share Posted February 14, 2012 (edited) did you check for bent tie rod or a bent shock? did it knock steering wheel center off from where it was driving down road before or is same position just with left pull? Camber and toe will cause pull. so one or the other. shock bent, or tie rod bent you could see either i would think. radius rod is another. Can you take a side pic of the car when the tires are pointed straight ahead Edited February 14, 2012 by bheinen74 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ogrekhan Posted February 14, 2012 Author Share Posted February 14, 2012 Hey , Tie rod and shock looked good , but might bear further inspection. The steering wheel is quite a bit off from center now "turned as if I were starting a right turn" and it wasn't before. As for pics I will probably have to wait for daylight tomorrow unless I can get it in my buddys garage for a few. Jeremy.S Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
l75eya Posted February 14, 2012 Share Posted February 14, 2012 Do you have a donut on it right now, or a full size spare? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ogrekhan Posted February 14, 2012 Author Share Posted February 14, 2012 Hey, Full size spare, sadly it doesn't match the nice rim that met its maker on the curb though lol. It pulled to the left before and after I swapped to the spare Jeremy.S Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mkoch Posted February 14, 2012 Share Posted February 14, 2012 About a year ago, I found a curb in a snowbank also! It caused a bent rear rim, bent suspension arm, and no other damage. I hope your repair will be as simple as mine was. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dj7291993 Posted February 14, 2012 Share Posted February 14, 2012 Actually, front toe will only effect tire wear and steering wheel. I can make it more likely to grab ruts, but it won't cause a pull. Camber and caster will, if they vary from side to side. Check you're strut. I've spent hours trying to figure out what went wrong on a Cougar. Finally checked the strut again, and caught it at just the right angle to see it. Ever so slight bend, amplified by the length of the strut. Also, you might want to check out you wheel bearing. With the wheel on, and the car lifted, try to rock the wheel in and out (not side to side, as you steering will move, grab the top and bottom). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WoodsWagon Posted February 14, 2012 Share Posted February 14, 2012 The round bar that goes back from the front control arm to the body under your feet when you're driving is known for bending when you have impacts like that. It's called a strut rod. I've made them into full banana shapes before offroading. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MilesFox Posted February 14, 2012 Share Posted February 14, 2012 Check for a bent rear trailing arm as this will throw off the steering. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ogrekhan Posted February 15, 2012 Author Share Posted February 15, 2012 Update, After reading the advice given here a careful inspection with a good shop light revealed that the round bar leading toward the back of the car is bent and badly so. It's the short bar that hooks to the back and bolts up under the drivers floor area. More questions now lol. Is this part available new and if so what do I ask for when I start calling around looking for it? If not will it interchange with an 87 EA82 wagon as I have 1 for parts. I took a few pics but my phone and computer apparently aren't on speaking terms atm. Thanks a lot for all the help! Jeremy.S Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bheinen74 Posted February 15, 2012 Share Posted February 15, 2012 (edited) that is the radius rod. subaru parts cat calls it "link"\ Edited February 15, 2012 by bheinen74 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spazomatic Posted February 15, 2012 Share Posted February 15, 2012 I've bent those so many times, I keep spares in the car! definitely a weak link. although, it's almost like a "fuse", in that it gives way and keeps other things from breaking....I think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ogrekhan Posted February 15, 2012 Author Share Posted February 15, 2012 Hey , Well I struck out trying to find 1 new so looks like I have to post "WTB" thread hehe. Anyone who has been reading have 1 they would part with? Thanks Jeremy.S Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MilesFox Posted February 16, 2012 Share Posted February 16, 2012 I gots one. I have to go pull it first. I will hollar once i procure it. All the ea82 radius rods are the same, with the exception of xt6, which is thicker, but still fits the same. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ogrekhan Posted February 16, 2012 Author Share Posted February 16, 2012 (edited) Hey, That would be great man Just so I'm sure here though my car is an EA81 1983 wagon. Jeremy.S Edited February 16, 2012 by Ogrekhan spelling as usual lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
man on the moon Posted February 16, 2012 Share Posted February 16, 2012 that is the radius rod. subaru parts cat calls it "link"\ Hey! I've done that, too! "Banana" is a good description. Ok, not THAT banana, but...you get the idea. Winter time. "Warm" day. Roads were wet leaving work, sun set on the way home. Road stopped being wet, but the H2O was still there--albeit in another form. Not a bad repair, just requires some elbow grease and a little real grease. A 12, 14, and 17mm wrench. I think the brake line needs an 8mm. Replace the round part and the flat part--it's way easier to do them as a unit than try to separate what may well be two bent pieces that both can be replaced for not too much dough. Even if the flat part isn't bent, it's a b*tch to separate from the radius rod. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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