Bent frame or A-arm issues.

[d16v149]

Im not a Ford guy but came into a very clean 2000 Explorer for next to nothing with lots of issues, (most of them I have corrected with the help of this web site) but I saved the best for last.

The previous owner Uncle Jack smashed the car into a high curb and bent the part that surrounds the A-Arm where the torsion bar inserts back about .800 relative to the same position on the driver’s side. A far as I can see the torsion bar did not suffer any ill effects.

The alignment people won’t touch it. Funny thing it does not drive near as bad as you would think by looking at the pictures. Pulls a little to the right but really not much worse than a Crown Vic in perfect working order, I am takeing it to a frame shop but I was interested in any thoughts the Explorer folks on this site might have regarding how to deal with something like this.

- New Member Jim

 

[jhclance]

Have the lower control arm replaced have the front end realignment done

 

[BrooklynBay]

Welcome to this forum! I've moved your thread into the stock 95-01 section. Thanks for becoming an elite member!

 

[safn1949]

I would have expected the caster to be way off but it's not,the camber and toe should be fixable.But yea,have the A arm replaced and go from there.They don't want to touch it because of liability issues.

 

[d16v149]

Thanks!

Thanks for confirming what I was thinking, This will be the first issue that I feel I should turn over to someone else, still I have fixed 17 of 24 problems that I started with just by searching this site, based on that alone I thought being an Elite member was the least I could do to show my appreciation. -Jim

 

[jhclance]

replacing the lower control arm is a job but not so big that you could not do it. Get you a chilton or haynes manual,borrow tools from friends and autozone ie spring compresser and floor jack/stands probly only ones you cant do with out,then have it realigned experience gained $$ saved

 

[d16v149]

Ok ...

"replacing the lower control arm is a job but not so big that you could not do it."

OK, Im going to try this after 4th of July is over with.

I might post more pics as the Sub-frame is also bent back about .250, however there does not appear to be any thing wrong with the part of the mount where the aft part of the A-Arm attaches. The damage seems localized to the forward part of the A-Arm and the part of the Sub-frame that it is connected to.

so now Im figuring the best way to bend it back?? Ideas anyone?

I Re-looked at the damage today and reluctantly bought a Chiltons book, even though it stopped at 1999 and the next book started at 2002. I cant see that Ford would change much so close to the all new 202 Explorer.

 

[jls1znv9999]

1995-2001 similar builds. All same generation. As far as correcting the bends via the curb i would suggest a body shop. They have a rack system where they can put your Ex on and with a BFH can straighten it out. You might was to have a look at your torsion bars. One seems like it's pushed forward more. I am no mechanic but i have spent days on end under neath my EX (You can always find something to tinker with). I agree with others, lower control arm first off. Take stock measurements from the frame and compare them. You will see a pattern of odd measurements. From that you can further more eliminate extra not needed things.

 

[john93rangerstx]

your caster is good i would just replace the a arm my caster is a little more off then that