REAR wheel assembly... VY sedan (big problems)

[Harrison]

hi i didnt even bother searching as i don't really know what to explain this problem as, so sorry in advance if there is a solution already available on the site...

anyway - the other night it was wet and raining i turned into my mates street but then while crossing lanes saw a glimpse of another car without headlights on so hit the accelerator into his street and then turned the immediate left about 5 metres into the street... with all the momentum my whole car swung out, the front left wheel went up the gutter closely followed by the rear right wheel which hit with a bang and threw the entire car up the gutter.

now: when looking at my rear right wheel, it appears to face inwards, as if it is bent... i have changed the rim to my spare because it has stress cracks and i believe it is buckled from the impact. but the car still appears to have the problem, i have put it up on one of my mates ramps and we had a quick look at it but nothing seemed to be bent, cracked, missing or out of shape it all seemed fine.. i believe the rear left is slightly out of place too, and as i drive alot of rubber seems to come up off the wheels and onto my rear bumper as if the wheels arent perfectly alligned...

i dont know what could be wrong with it i have limited knowledge with cars, i haven't had a chance to take it to a mechanic just yet as most around my area are closed due to the christmas period and those who are opened were closed sunday and today (boxing day public holiday)

any other info would be very helpful, like whether the rear runs on an axle or control arms or the diff is the axle? i just dont want to seem totally clueless at the shop and get ripped off for it.

EDIT: any rough estimates of what i could be looking at ($$) would be greatly appreciated!

[calais24/7]

Sounds like your axle is bent mate, i wouldnt recommend driving it unless your going to the mechanics. Only some mechanics or repaires will rip you off but try find a local one that has a good rep but most will be honest and genuine. Also you might want to say where your from maybe people can recommend places for you

[Harrison]

Sounds like your axle is bent mate, i wouldnt recommend driving it unless your going to the mechanics. Only some mechanics or repaires will rip you off but try find a local one that has a good rep but most will be honest and genuine. Also you might want to say where your from maybe people can recommend places for you

crap, thanks for the speedy reply mate!

i am from the sunshine coast, QLD (postcode 4573)

[jazza15]

yeah bent cv possibly, also toe adjuster, which will require a wheel alignment upon replacement (about $50 from a wrecker + $50 for the wheel alignment). These are the only things that are really prone to bending in the VY IRS with impcts like that. The CV joint (half shaft) I'm not sure how much it will cost you, about $25 maybe, but i am only guessing.
Now for the part that could be expensive. If there is a groaning noise coming from that wheel, your wheel bearing will most likely be gone (from the impact) so replacement of that (or the whole trailing arm assembly from the wreckers) will be needed to fix it. You are looking at about $80 for the trailing arm, or $80 for the bearing plus fitment. Bascially, let us know how you go finding out whats wrong and yeah... have fun with that one...

[slammer]

I would say from the description it will be the lower control arm is bent
The K frame could also be bent as impact like this would bend it too

If I was you I would look into getting a pair of control arms and a K frame

[Surfwagon]

Agree with slammer on the LCR and K frame, also as said above the toe adjustment arm could also be bent.
I doubt if the CV or axle is bent or the wheel would have a permanent wobble as it rotated.
If you have fitted a straight wheel and it is wobbling then you are looking at quite few $$$ to fix it properly.
A costly way to find out how momentum, a big car and wet roads don't go together real well even if you were trying to avoid another accident.

[jazza15]

I would say from the description it will be the lower control arm is bent
The K frame could also be bent as impact like this would bend it too

If I was you I would look into getting a pair of control arms and a K frame

I wouldn't be going to that extent. We'll have to wait and see if the wheel bearing has gone at least.
Toe adjuster will bend a lot before the traling arm or cradle. There's a very big difference in strength.

[taztassio]

i would be replacing the whole rear end, toe links, control arms, K frame.

[Sabbath']

When i priced up CV's from Holden, was told that the price for the stub axle and CV was pretty much the same (this is for a VT, but advice will probabaly be the same) I was quoted $300 a piece for the shafts.

Went to a joint who do reco driveshafts and picked up a pair for $240. Havent had an issue since.


Get it checked by a mechanic before you go replacing random parts though.

[Harrison]

yeah bent cv possibly, also toe adjuster, which will require a wheel alignment upon replacement (about $50 from a wrecker + $50 for the wheel alignment). These are the only things that are really prone to bending in the VY IRS with impcts like that. The CV joint (half shaft) I'm not sure how much it will cost you, about $25 maybe, but i am only guessing.
Now for the part that could be expensive. If there is a groaning noise coming from that wheel, your wheel bearing will most likely be gone (from the impact) so replacement of that (or the whole trailing arm assembly from the wreckers) will be needed to fix it. You are looking at about $80 for the trailing arm, or $80 for the bearing plus fitment. Bascially, let us know how you go finding out whats wrong and yeah... have fun with that one...

i like what your saying, sounds alot cheaper then what everybody else is thinking, am hoping this is the quick fix.
any recommended franchises? i know theres a GOODYEAR near me, plenty of locals but they weren't too cluey about what was wrong when i needed my front bushes changed...

[Harrison]

so i have dropped my car in yesterday, was supposed to be ready today but they have been quite busy. was quoted $1007...

replace diff cradle
replace rear right control arm
(i'd imagine an allignment)
they reckon its like 4 hours labour. i am not buying it though, said something about it they said it could be cheaper.. just depends how long it takes. does anybody know whats involved in this and about how long it would take to do an entire swap over? just curious as to whether or not i should continue to take my car there for future services.

thanks guys.

[hecticCalais]

hey man, i live on the sunshine coast too, same thing happened to me on my VT the drivers side rear wheel, had a look didnt really look like anything bent except for the diskbrake but the wheel still sticks out. wanting to know where you got your car done at.

[Chrisvyss]

Replace the diff cradle ????? if thats buggered then the other side would also have moved exactly how hard did you hit this curb