Bent rear "toe-in" rod

Austin · #1 06-23-2011, 11:33 PM

I got new tires today and the tech noticed I had a very minor bend in my L/R rim, but more importantly he said I had a bent "toe-in" rod. He had it up on the lift and showed it to me, but not being a mechanic and not having owned an AWD vehicle before I wasn't sure if he was using the right term or not. Basically it looks like a 3/4" thick, 18" long rod that runs from the rear sub-frame to the hub/knuckle. It is most definitely bent.

He said it will eventually cause the tire to wear unevenly (toe-in - makes sense I reckon), and I should get it replaced ASAP.

1. what is the correct term for this thing?
b). does anyone have one they want to part with for cheap?
III. has anyone else ever had this bent on their SVX?

1986nate · #2 06-23-2011, 11:40 PM

Trailing arm is what it is usually referred to(at least around here) and there are a few other terms as well. I've seen and hear of a couple being bent, but not common at all unless it hits a rock or something, or someone hooks a tow chain to it or something similar that really shouldn't happen in normal driving.

I might have one, but wouldn't have time to pull it for a few days. I'm sure someone else might have one for you.

92 SVX · #3 06-24-2011, 12:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Austin

I got new tires today and the tech noticed I had a very minor bend in my L/R rim, but more importantly he said I had a bent "toe-in" rod. He had it up on the lift and showed it to me, but not being a mechanic and not having owned an AWD vehicle before I wasn't sure if he was using the right term or not. Basically it looks like a 3/4" thick, 18" long rod that runs from the rear sub-frame to the hub/knuckle. It is most definitely bent.

He said it will eventually cause the tire to wear unevenly (toe-in - makes sense I reckon), and I should get it replaced ASAP.

1. what is the correct term for this thing?
b). does anyone have one they want to part with for cheap?
III. has anyone else ever had this bent on their SVX?

Is it running from front to back, or from middle of car to drivers, or passengers side of car?
I think nate has the correct one just thought I would double check.
Also Im in jax, I have a bit of a shudder at 60, though I have 2 bent rims and one wasnt balanced well.

icingdeath88 · #4 06-24-2011, 12:15 AM

I think he's talking about a lateral link guys. I forget which one, but one of them is what you adjust to change the toe in the rear. A bent front (still in the rear of the car) lateral link would cause a lot of toe-in.

The trailing arm is the one that run more front-to-back while the lateral links run side-to-side. 2 lateral links per wheel also; only 1 trailing arm.

icingdeath88 · #5 06-24-2011, 12:18 AM

You can point the part out in the picture if you like.

1986nate · #6 06-24-2011, 12:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by icingdeath88

I think he's talking about a lateral link guys. I forget which one, but one of them is what you adjust to change the toe in the rear. A bent front (still in the rear of the car) lateral link would cause a lot of toe-in.

The trailing arm is the one that run more front-to-back while the lateral links run side-to-side. 2 lateral links per wheel also; only 1 trailing arm.

Yeah, I just called them trailing arms, what you are referring to lateral links... We are in agreement with the physical part, just not the part name.

(aka, i'm probably mistaken)

Crazy_pilot · #7 06-24-2011, 01:22 AM

Yep, lateral link arm. The rear-most one is the adjustable one that controls alignment and bending it would cause toe-out (tire pointed outwards). The only time I've seen these bend is when some ham-fisted tow truck driver latches on to one and pulls the car with it, or if it makes direct contact with something while the car is reversing - say a really immobile rock or curb. They're extremely hard to bend from a direct side-on hit.

XT6Wagon · #8 06-24-2011, 03:41 AM

I've see alot of alignment shops with subaru lateral links. either picking them up from the parts department when I was there getting something or when I was at said alignment shop getting one. Seems like subaru did a good job in ensuring that the lateral link bends before the subframe tears or the hub cracks when someone gets hit on the wheel or stuffs one in the ditch.