Obviously, its not ideal. I just haven't had time to fix it. But I definitely haven't been driving hard since I bent it, and usually only short distances/local. I mean, I'm sure my tire wear isn't going to be great (on my not-so-great tires that I won't have much longer anyways), and sure there's probably going to be more stress on the drivetrain, but in the scheme of things, is it really largely damaging to my car to continue driving it like this?

I will have time in about a week and a half to fix it.

 

I bought a turbo car that had a engine fire (salvage vehicle), and rebuilt the engine and got a title. I THOUGHT all was just fine and dandy, til one day I drove it in the rain around a sweeper going on the freeway. The rear end wanted to swap around and I wan't doing anything adventurous at the time. The rain magnifyed (sp) the problem

Later I tried a few things while driving in the dry and noticed there was a problem. The problem was a right lateral link bent. Replaced same with one from the wrecking yard.

In other words, watch out in the rain especially.

 

I drove over 400 miles with a bent pass rear LL and it was just fine. It wasnt the BEST handling and the car would want to hop to the left (or right, I dont remember any more) every time I hit a big bump. But I could easily make it around town or home (I was in seattle at the time). You can use any LL (na or turbo) to replace your bent one. Easy to take out and easy to install. Mine was so bent that when I took the bent link out my wheel popped out 4+ inches haha.

 

i think it's horrible. Go to the junkyard and get another one and stop doing doughnuts/sliding INTO THINGS!

 

A bent LL is going to cause toe out in the rear and the toe will not be centered. That will mean that the rear of the car is going to want to jump in unexpected directions whenever the left and right weight distribution changes. And your steering wheel is probably no longer centered.

It can be frightening or even dangerous if it is bent badly.

In addition it will wear out your rear tires. In some cases quite quickly.

If it is bent badly enough to bind your semi trailing arm, it could do sudden damage.

 

You have the replacement part. Why don't you fix it instead of posting on the forum?

 

i'd replace it, best to be safe.

 

Change it before it changes you. Could have stress cracks waiting to screw you up at the worst possible time.

 

it really sucks driving with that bent....i hated it couldn't stand it.

 

I drove on a bent one for a bit before. The inside of your rear tire on that side will wear out fast and the car will want to change lanes on rough surfaces.

The car will be -much- nicer to drive if you replace it.

 

valmand why would you post on this? It was 2 months old? haha did you search, see that it was old, and decide to reply on it? Just wondering. I'm glad .. you searched though!

 

what did I do?

 

I'm new and I needed to meet my 10 posts. Lawl.

 

I bought my car from the original owner who had at one time hit a curb and broke a rim. They were a customer of mine when I had a detail shop.
They put new rims on the car because it was cheaper then a new BBS wheel from Mazda, and new tires.
They drove it a few thousand miles when the rear tire blew out from wear. It was at that time a bodyshop told them the frame was bent and it would be $3000 to fix it.

To sum it up, I bought the car, put a lateral link it, alighment was perfect after that and I still have the car today.

If the link is not TERRIBLE you can get away with it for a little bit, but even brand new from Mazda they are cheap and install easily- but make sure to get a good alighment after.

**** that, now I see the thread is old!

 

I figured..