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Subject:Re: hit a boulder and a light pole
From:Sean Garrett
Date:Fri, 18 Nov 2016 04:35:53 +0000

I have had the arm after the tie rod, going to the steering rack, separate 1/4 inch from the rack. It sorta stretched the compression cup it is held in. So pull and wiggle those to see if there is play.
Sean G
      From: T Collins <tonycollin@GMAIL.COM>
 To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM 
 Sent: Thursday, November 17, 2016 9:28 PM
 Subject: hit a boulder and a light pole
   
Hello volks,

I thought earlier this evening I was toast. A jeep in front of me stopped
suddenly and I beard off to the right while braking hard. I ended up
resting next to a light pole. Seems I hit a boulder and then the lamp post
with the passenger side wheel. The rim is irreparably bent. Since I was in
a sharp  turn right it seems like the wheel sticking out prevented damage
to the vans body.

Now to why I need your opinions. After replacing the tire, I found that the
alignment  is off, the passenger side wheel is pointing right while the
drivers side is pointing straight.
Looks like I bent the outer passenger side tie rod. Nothing else seems
bent. What else should I be inspecting? Is it possible the inner tie rod is
also bent? It was dark, but it did not seem or feel deformed...

I appreciate your input. I have an outer tie rod available and plan on
replacing it. Tips on that?

Thanks,
T.