Some guidance please

Posts: 200

My son hit a stump with the left front tire of our JEHM 150 yesterday. The buggy is pulling to the left, but I can't see anything obviously bent. Can you guys give me some idea of what is most likely bent and ways to determine if it is? I don't think I should just adjust the alignment, as this might affect the turning radius to the left. Thanks for your help as always.

Posts: 518

Look at the arm on the strut where the tie-rod connects....This is usually what bends first....Most have reinforced this area....
Hoodlum

Posts: 200

OK. And how have you guys been reinforcing it?

Posts: 1646

by welding in a triangle steel plate

Posts: 3721

I also put one on each side and wraped a piece around the front.

Posts: 253

if all looks good with that try swaping the tires from side to side and see if it pulls the other way.....

Posts: 200

Thanks guys. I'll check it tomorrow.

Posts: 1156

If the tie rod arm isn't bent you may have bent it where the wheel spindle meets the strut, or the spindle itself. When looking for a bend keep an eye out for cracked paint, or paint that has popped off. Doesn't always happen that way, but usually does. If the spindle is bent you usually can't see it. Also check the frame where the lower control arm bolts to it. You may have bent the tabs or twisted the frame. If so break out the sledge and bend it back. You'll want to try to determine the direction metal bent and try to bend it back in the opposite direction. If the drivers side is the one w/ the problem look at all the mounts on the passenger side and compare them to the drivers side. I did the very same thing in my Jehm 250

Posts: 517

I have ahd the strut tabs bend (like all of them do) and I had a spindle weld crack and come loose. This would make the toe move back and forth depending if you were going foward or reverse. Did not see where until I removed the tire and looked behine the rotor assembly.

RH