Date: Wed, 12 Feb 2003 09:03:44 +0000 From: Grunff <grunffnopsam.com> Subject: Re: Car slid on snow, hit curb now no reverse
MarkC wrote: > This is regarding a '89 non-turbo w/ a standard tranny. I was turning > left off an exit ramp but lost control in the heavy snow so the car slid > & the front right tire hit the curb sideways (in hind sight I should > have straightened the wheels & took the curb dead-on but it was a long > day, I was stressed out & not thinking right). I replaced the ruined rim > but there is still some play in the steering & the shifter will not > physically go into the reverse position. It will shift into 5th gear but > not as smooth as before. For the time being I can put up with no reverse > but the sloppy steering is dangerous. What most likely got knocked out > of whack? It could be one of many things - one of the track rod ends could be broken, a balljoint could be broken, the steering rack, control arm bushes, etc. I personally wouldn't drive a car in that condition - how do you know that say a track rod end isn't hanging on by a thin piece of metal, just waiting for the next minor bump? I would jack up each side, remove the wheel, and take a good look around. If you don't know what you're looking for, get help from someone who does. AFA the shifting goes, it could simply be a bent/damaged linkage (cheap + easy), or it could be a bent shift fork (inside the gearbox, expensive + difficult). Only closer examination will reveal which. Good luck - keep us posted. -- Grunff