AI DamageAn impact to a wheel passes the force to the control arms, knuckle, shock absorber and steering. The photos only show the wheel angle, but that is exactly what hints at how far the damage goes.
The chain of parts
| Part | Sign | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Wheel and tyre | Bent rim, cut tyre | The cheapest |
| Lower control arm, link | The wheel is turned or set back | Replaced, not straightened |
| Steering knuckle, bearing, CV joint | The wheel leans in or out at the top | Often together with the driveshaft |
| Shock absorber, spring | The wheel leans and the body sits lower on one side | The rod is checked for bending |
| Steering rack or tie rod | In the photos the steering wheel is off-centre with the wheels straight | An expensive item |
| Subframe, mounting points | The control arm is displaced together with its mounting | Borders on body repair |
How to read the photos
- Compare the wheel angles in the front and rear photos, left and right side.
- The gap from the wheel to the edge of the arch: if it is smaller on one side, the wheel is displaced.
- A car in the yard on a strap or with a dolly under it at an angle often cannot roll.
- An Undercarriage or Suspension label on the lot page.
How to budget for it
The minimum is a set of control arms and a wheel alignment after the repair. If there are signs of knuckle or rack damage, the budget grows several times. After any suspension repair the angles must be adjusted, and on a car with a camera it must be calibrated (see ADAS radars and cameras).