Passenger Wheel Problem?

[Hawke]

Last summer my wife was side swipe by a drunk driver at a fairly low speed less than 25 mph.

She was struck on the passenger side, from the back of the door to the back of the front bumper cover, he also hit the front wheel as the rim had a small dent in the edge and knocking it out of balance.

NOw my problem is this, the passenger side Wheel is tilted inward at the top by a couple of degrees, visible to the eye, you can tell its not right.

Now, I've had the wheel off and looked at all the parts and there doesn't seem to be, to my untrained eye, anything out of place or bent, but obviously something isn't right.

I was hoping you guys might be able to give me some ideas as to what might be bad? or could an alignment take care of this?

I've included a pic below that I've cropped to show how the tire looks on the car. If I can dig up my Camera I'll get an actual pic.



Thanks In advance

any help would be appreciated.

[LadybugEwa]

Looks very similar to what mine looked like after my accident, only I was hit on the back wheel. My whole rear axle had to be changed.
The important thing is, that we weren't able to pinpoint where it was bent until we disassembled that side down to the bare axle.
Looking at the pic, there's something seriously bent in the suspension. The car is most certainly not safe to be driven like that. There's a chance of damage to the brake caliper and disc. The angle you're seeing could be a bent control arm. Or stub axle, but these are stronger. Maybe damage to the ball joint as well. This needs a mechanic who knows suspension, and it won't likely be cheap. Good luck

[vw87tech]

the whole strut could be bent

[Deserion]

There is a multitude of points it could be. Could just need an alignment, but maybe not.

Could be the lower control arm, could be the hub, the steering knuckle, etc etc. Take it to a shop for inspection - if parts are needed, then contact your insurance agent to inform them additional repairs are required to get the car back to proper.

[Hawke]

Thanks for the replies guys, I appreciate it.