So, I just slid down the hill leaving my office on a solid sheet of ice, spun around once and hit a curb with my right front wheel; barely scratched my wheel lip and cracked the paint on my front lip, but now the steering wheel is about 45 degrees off center to the left and the car pulls to the right (toe is out a bit on the front right wheel when the car is still and wheel is centered). Is it likely that an alignment will resolve this or have I likely bent the knuckle or control arm?! Wheel isn't bent, no shaking or other ill effects. Is it possible to "knock" this car out of alignment that far without bending something? I wish I'd have left it in the garage today and drove my DD, but snow wasn't in the forecast and came out of nowhere while working this eve...

 

To add, I wasn't doing more than 5-8mph when I bumped the curb and stopped...

 

You bent something.

ROD

 

Something is almost surely bent. If you got lucky, your camber or caster eccentric spun without causing damage. But...you most likely bent something.

Have it inspected. Could be as cheap as a tie rod (buy one from Honda), or something a bit more expensive like a LCA or spindle. Or worst case...a subframe.

 

Moved to Brakes and Suspension.

 

Taking it in now for an alignment, hoping it's just a bent tie-rod, but I'm never lucky lol.

 

This is all the cosmetic damage, nothing really; I can't see a bent subframe with such a light impact, but anything is possible I guess...

 

Verdict is in: bent spindle. Should I replace the control arms too? Just in case? And have you guys ever bought used suspension parts with success (not junk upon install)? Haven't made up my mind if I'm going to claim insurance or not; the shop guy says I should...

 

I've had good luck with TAE autoparts on eBay for used stuff. But its a mixed bag of luck. Honda sells bare spindles. Then you need hubs and bearings.

Idk. Depending on your deductible, it may not be worth claiming it. Either your premium goes up or you waste your "accident forgiveness" chance.

It doesn't look like more than $500-800 worth of parts...if you chose to buy parts from Honda...including the lip.

For a used spindle and another replica lip...maybe $300-400?

 

Avoid making a claim if possible. You will pay it back in the long run with higher premiums. Plus it may show up on a history report.

Because the damage appears isolated you should be able to make the repair yourself.