need help assesing damage to steering rack

[Golfer_705]

hit a nasty pot hole at about 90km/h the rim bent and put a flat spot causing it bind on the pass inner tierod end locking up the tire. i spun out, clipped the front bumper off a barricade, pass front wheel went of the barricade next followed by the rear tire..... post accident assesment showed a bent inner tierod end, 2 bent rims and the front strut tower moved about a 1/2" and a shot wheel bearing. the rims have now been swapped, the pass tierod assembly replaced, new wheel bearing and car was sent to a local frame shop for pulling. everything seems okay now other than the steering rack mount on the passenger side. the rack sits about a 1/4" high on the passenger side. is this close enough to have an alignment done and be drive the car again? must the rack be replaced? will it affect the front end alignment with how the rack is now? the rack is okay other than the pass mount being a little out.

[spike68]

The only thing I can think of is that if it still works properly, but sits higher on one side, then it may work, but it will be applying "unnecessary" in certain places. Im not sure where, but if its not sitting the way its supposed to, then it wasnt designed to do such a thing. Also, if it does not sit perfectly horizontal the way it should, then your turning radius may actually decrease as some of that length is lost in the y direction.

Im just throwing things out there that you may want to think about. Surely someone else will have a better idea than I do. Mine are just general idea.

In my opinion, I would take a closer look at it and see if YOU think its fixable. Maybe post pictures too. That would definitely allow us to help you in more detail in diagnosing.

[jeffnhiscars]

If the rack is undamaged, which I assume to be the case since you want to use it as is, then either your subframe or chassis is bent. If its the chassis then your frame shop has more work to do and if its the subframe, rack tabs can be straightened otherwise replace it.

To use it with one side higher than the other will effect your handling. Read up on "bump steer" where a small spacer under or over the rack on both sides can have an impact. With one side higher it cant be good.

Frankly, I would be surprised if ICBC would allow it on the road unrepaired.

[Todd Black 88]

Doesn't sound like an icbc claim, because with that damage it would be written off.

[Golfer_705]

Thanks for all of the input. the subframe was undamged, slight kink in the pass inner wheel arch has been straightened, steering rack staightened, new inner/outer tie rod assembly, new wheel bearing and 2 rims. no pulls or nasty supprises, 10,000kms on the repairs and the car is running great.