Rear Axle Misalignment/rotation issue. Norcal shop recommendation needed

[ucb22]

So my 4runner was rear ended a few weeks ago by a moron in an audi speeding around without paying attention. It was a pretty solid hit, his car was completely undrivable (radiator smashed, front end totally fubared). He decided to try to go around me to my left to avoid the impact but didnt quite make it, so his right front impacted me in the left rear. The rear bumper was damaged and pushed into the wheel, and since his car is low and mine has a OME lift kit+32" tires, he largely came under my car as well. The tow hook. hitch hookup, rear cross beam all had to be replaced.

Now here is the ****ty part, the left rear tire is visably closer to the front of the wheel well compared to the right rear tire, about a 3/4" difference between those gaps, so it looks like he likely impacted the left tire area and the axle bent/rotated forward on that side. Now the issue is, there is no other obvious damage besides that gap difference and the alignment being way off, so his insurance company is saying they wont pay for the repairs until I can prove what is actually damaged. The collision center and an outside alignment shop cannot find/diagnose what is the issue besides the visual cues.

With that being said, what components should I have then inspect and what criteria can be used to find what is out of spec. Also if anyone knows a shop in the San Jose, CA area that can quickly figure out what is wrong, that would help as well

 

[talonjade]

I wish I could help but I haven't a clue... Good luck though!

 

[ucb22]

Thanks..im looking at the suspension diagrams now..it looks like it could only be a few posibilities..the upper/lower control arms could be bent or the axle/diff housing itself is bent. Was hoping someone knew if there was a weak link in the system to inspect first

 

[liqourish]

call a lawyer, get a new 4runner, don't settle for this ****.

 

[ucb22]

Bump..they said they will repair it if they diagnose what's wrong, but so far can't pinpoint what is actually broken/bent

 

[BlackWorksInc]

Check all your attachment points for the rear axle as well, All the trailing arms and actual mounts. They could have bent the mounting points on the frame slightly. As for a shop in the SJ area... I am nunfamilar with that area... sorry.

 

[ucb22]

I've checked, unfortunately nothing is a glaring issue. Could someone take a picture of their stock trailing arm mount? Hard to tell if its bent/warped without a reference.

I have an appointment with 4wheel parts in SJ tomorrow, not expecting much from that, the reviews of their service is terrible. They seem more like a retail shop than anything

 

[zstampe]

I've checked, unfortunately nothing is a glaring issue. Could someone take a picture of their stock trailing arm mount? Hard to tell if its bent/warped without a reference.

I have an appointment with 4wheel parts in SJ tomorrow, not expecting much from that, the reviews of their service is terrible. They seem more like a retail shop than anything

Pm me your e mail and I'll try to get some good pics in the morning or this evening. I also have an OME lift so all our suspension geometry should be similar.

 

[ucb22]

pm sent, thanks for the help man!

 

[d_clark]

Don't know if these will help or not. They are from when I did the rust coating (before the final black top coat) a few years ago:

 

[DC runner]

What happened? I wanted to post, but was in the process of moving. You should not be dealing with them. They are going to try and lowball you.

You really need to let your insurance handle it. You pay them to be your advocate. By law, you have the right to have your car repaired back to your satisfaction, not theirs. They are trying to D.I.C.K you over it sounds like, because you are dealing with them directly and they may think you are unaware of your rights. As a company they want to pay the LOWEST amount. This is why you need your insurance in the mix. They know the drill and will fight for you.

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