Well after gettin in an accident i checked the car out today... i just thought my tire went flat since the rim bent a little bit but it turns out that the whole pass side of the front wheel is WAY LOWER when i jack up that side. the drivers side wheel is fine and the suspension is straight across like normal but the pass side is now at an angle. i am wondering what it is that i COULD have broken and how can i fix it? could it be my control arm? because im not good with suspension parts, but it looks like the control arm is bent down. also i dont know much about suspension stuff... do our 3rd gens have independant suspension or not? what are the chances of my bending my front axle and how much would THAT cost? i know for sure its not my front sway bar, its taking the load but its not the piece thats bent. the piece that is at an angle is the one that has the front spring on top of it. not sure what it is tho and not sure if that is indeed the problem. thanks all!

 

Yes, the part that the spring sits on is the control arm. Get under there and take a good look for other parts that may be bent. You have to take that side apart anyway to get to the control arm when you go to replace it, so you will be able to check other parts involved. I would also check the spindle (what the wheel and brake rotor mount to) on that side. I would expect that possibly could be damaged also.

 

ok thanks a lot, i just didnt know where to start i appreciate the tips. also, i cant get the tire off because of the locking lug nut. does anyone have a key i can have or know where i can get one? thanks! also, i just jacked up the lower control arm and it is moving and looks to be ok when jacked up, but thats a lot of jacking! also i found a "key" on ebay, will this fit?

 

It's hard to say about the key for a locking lug nut. I had that problem once, couldn't find a key. Save yourself some time looking and just force a good socket on over the lug. I used an impact socket and hammered it on.