where to look for damage?

**Trav** · #1 (**permalink**) 12-31-2004, 09:25 AM

Unfortunatly, my 164L 5spd was hit by a truck yesterday, no injuries. The brunt of the impact was to the drivers side wheel and fender. The impact came from about 45 degrees from the left rear.

Body work seems minimal, fender and liner and some hood straightening.

I am more concerned about the driveline. Although the car drove home it was pulling hard right and it seemed like something was shifting in the suspension. Closer inspection reveals no visible bends in the frame/body, strut tower and lower a arm. Front left motor mount appears to be broken.

However, when I jacked the drivers side I could not rotate the wheel with the tranny in neutral and clutch in. When I jacked the pass side I could turn the wheel, although it was tight and lumpy. PS wheel turns in same direction.
The tranny moves on mount when the wheel is rotated.

Im hoping for a bad CV, but feel it may be differental. Anyone out there have and experience with this sort of impact damage?

Happy new year to all.

Trav

**Trav** · #2 (**permalink**) 01-06-2005, 02:54 PM

It must be a sorry thread when you have to reply to yourself!

I got the car up on jack stands and determined the strut and drive shaft are bent. The bent drive shaft makes a lot of clicking noise like a busted bearing.
When the DS wheel is rotated the motor/trans assy moves around revealing a broked motor mount. When the PS wheel is rotated all sounds smooth.

After my 'testing' I put the car down and the next morning a puddle of trans oil was on the floor where it wasn't before.

Question: how likely is differential damage? how hard is it to replace the diff seal?

The insurance co totaled the car, I can't stand to see it go to the yard. I want to fix it, but the diff could be a big hidden suprise.

Thx TD

trygve11 · #3 (**permalink**) 01-06-2005, 03:24 PM

The strut and driveshaft should be readily available. The seal on the differential is easy to change. You pull the driveshaft out and then remove the seal holder.

Do you see and visual cracks in the differential housing? If it is leaking, there was likely some casting damage. You would be VERY lucky if it were only a seal that was damaged.

I suppose you could pop a new tranny in if needed...

**Trav** · #4 (**permalink**) 01-07-2005, 06:38 AM

Thanks for the reply. I think (hope) its just the seal.

The car sat for a few days after the wreck with out leaking. I see no cracks in the housing. It didn't start to leak untill I jacked it up and wrenched the wheel around. I suspect the severe angle of the drive shaft with the spring unloaded in combination with the busted CV joint compromised the seal. I guess the first thing to do is replace the seal.

Thanks TD