2007 Infiniti G35 Sedan Curb Damage?

Question

I recently hit a curb, and the impact shifted my front passenger tire back (tire is closer to the fender than it was before). My steering got noticeably stiffer after hitting the curb. I checked power steering level, there are no leaks. Also, my front tires are now misaligned. Front passenger tire is toe-out like this:   |-/    
I need to turn steering wheel left to go straight.My question is, what could have bent after hitting the curb? Is it a lower control arm, upper control arm, tie rod, drive shaft, CV axle joint, etc.? I have lifted up my car many times to take a look underneath, I can't notice any visibly bent components. If somebody has had similar damage to my car, any answers or suggestions will be greatly appreciated. Also, taking my car to a mechanic for diagnosis is out of the question as my money is limited.

Image is showing the underside of the front passenger lower control arm. You can see the the the part of the control arm that bolts on to the A-frame is crooked, that is the only thing I noticed when looking underneath my car.

M. · Accepted Answer

The simple fact is that you can't notice anything bent because you don't know what anything is supposed to look like anyway! So my advice is to take your car to a collision shop or a suspension and steering shop and tell them what you did. They will undoubtedly find a bent frame or bent suspension parts or bent steering parts.  Do not keep driving the car like there is nothing wrong.  Get the problem diagnosed and repaired. If your money is limited, then stop driving and save up some money. Do not drive the car in this condition!!!

Turn your steering wheel until your right front tire is straight.  Now you say it is pushed back?  So look at your suspension pieces and where they mount to the car.  Imagine that they need to be forward of where they are now.  So what is bent or torn?

Your photo does not include enough area.  Your camera is too close.

You might need a tape measure to compare measurements on the right side to the left side.

-General automotive mechanic since 1972

The Devil · Answer

Since you have no money, there is no quick  remedy for you. Call every community college around until you find one that teaches that kind of auto repair and needs a project car to work on.

Dan · Answer

The cheapest way to repair this is to buy a complete suspension assembly from a scrap yard.
Tell them you need a right front: strut, knuckle, tie rod, lower control arm assembly. There's only about 6 bolts that hold the whole thing in.
You will also need an alignment.

thebax2006 · Answer

I've seen damage like this before to a G35 while working at the dealer. The strut gets bent, the steering knuckle gets bent and the control arm gets bent. make sure you replace the wheel bearing too. With that much of a hit the bearing race got dinged and will begin making noise with in 1000 miles. 
Hope you have insurance. I recall that the parts and labor back in 2008 was over $5,000.
Get 2 estimates for your insurance company. If you prefer not to file a claim call your local auto recycler to find used parts to buy.

Barry · Answer

Apart from both control arms it's probable that the steering geometry is altered. Maybe even a damaged steering rack. Especially as the steering feel has changed together with the wheel angle. The drive shaft and CV joint accommodates movement so I can't see how that would have any effect.

Anonymous · Answer

Start replacing bent and distorted parts.  Get an alignment after.

2007 Infiniti G35 Sedan Curb Damage?

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