Post accident repair question - steering

[CHVCHKSTKNATYTA]

Ok, I have a 97 2x 4Runner with approx 150k miles on it, 3 months old now. Long story short, got taken for a "joyride" and returned with driver side body damage (no big deal) but some pretty serious steering issues. The steering seems locked in an almost complete RIGHT hand turn position and when pulled to left feels like an old truck without power steering. When driving I can not let go of steering wheel to gage alignment prob because it completely veers to the right (yes with a-vengence). No noticeable leeks or damage to undercarriage components, engine seems strong, fluids stable. I have worked on suspensions (i.e. snapped tie rod ends, axles etc) when working on chevy / gmc trucks years ago but do not know enough about Toyota engineering and/or being a truck snob really don't have the motivation too. Any ideas because I am close to doing what I do with dirty dishes when I don't want to wash them.. ha. thanks

 

[brian2sun]

Not that I wouldn't like to help, but knowing that's in been in an accident, it's going to be hard to tell you what got damaged, steering rack?, bent frame? control arms? There's just no way for us to know. Your best bet would be to take it to a shop and have them inspect the damage.

 

[theizzardking]

look at your ball joints,tie rods and cv's to make sure nothing was smashed, it sounds like that could have happened. checking the suspension on this is the same as any car, get under there with some gloves on and start pulling on things and see if anything is loose or smashed or out of place, hell it could be as simple as a damaged rim....


it seems as if when he hit whatever he hit he may have shoved a bunch of the components together and damaged some of it,

pics of the damage would help, from your statement it really could be anything in the suspension.

 

[TheDurk]

I agree with B2S. Have you put the front on stands and looked underneath while someone worked the rack? I have a feeling something is not going to be moving as it should. Then work the tires in all possible directions, any free play other than rotation is a sign of something.