This morning someone blew a red light going pretty quick. I was able to swerve so he didn’t broadside the passenger doors, but he smacked the rear tire and threw me a couple feet. Stopped and gave insurance. A couple chunks out of my rim but nothing else. After I started driving I noticed it pulls to the left a little. Noticed that the rear passenger tire is a bit back from where it should be, and both back wheels appear to be turned a tad to the right. Also noticed uneven panel gaps on the hatch. Inspected it and found that the leaf spring shackle appears to have slid on the bushing, and is way over to one side. U bolts don’t appear to be damaged, but not sure. Would the shackle being off cause the axle to be turned a bit, which would explain all the issues I’m having with the back wheels? I’m hoping it’s not frame damage, but am not too confident since the uneven panel gaps are there. No damage to the flare or the body, he only hit the wheel. Also, does anyone have any idea if this would total the Jeep. It’s a 2000 sport with 217.6k, but it’s in good shape and has a ton of new parts. Also, if the insurance totals it, what can I do to keep it. I really don’t want to let it go.

 

I would take it to a body shop that can do a 4 wheel alignment.....many answers to your questions will be answered there.

 

run a straight edge or string line front to rear on both sides against the tyres

The rears obviously should be straight

Check the uniframe where it arches over the rear axle/wheel..if its cracked or deformed there ( a weak point), its pretty well all over

That will 100% for sure be an Insurance write-off.

If you want, and the Insurance co allow, they pay out (almost always a low depreciated value), but allow you to keep the vehicle

I have had this happen to me twice in XJ. Other drivers fault, I am only insured if I damage someone else vehicle (also pays if other driver at fault, and has no insurance)

 

Checked the frame and it appears all straight. No cracking or bending that I can see. I really want to keep this Jeep as it means a lot to me but if it’s irreparable and unsafe, I would obviously have to get over it and let it go. I really hope that isn’t the case, and Im pretty confident after looking at it. I’ll take it to a shop to have them check it out, but there’s an insurance person coming to look at it soon so I can’t mess with it or take it anywhere till they are done. Best case scenario is the shackle just needs to be pushed back to where it belongs and it needs an alignment+new rim. As I said before, frame appears straight. I can get some pictures tomorrow because theres people who know a lot more than me here.

 

If the doors all shut, it can be repaired (by leaving, or stretching in a body shop (expensive)

The rear axle will have to come out and everything made good there

I had my rear axle torn right out and fixed it myself, got hit in the rear wheel

That will be an insurance write off, so it all comes down to whether the insurance company will pay you out, and allow you to keep the wreck (and do not make it a "statutory write-off" (means cannot be registered (titled)

I have had 2 XJs written off by young drivers smashing them. This is what I did in both cases.

Depends on the Insurance company fine print, road reg laws in your State...and your negotiating skills, then your repair skills

The payout for each of mine was just under $3k.

I repaired and kept them both, they still run well, one is my farm truck, the other my spare parts rig. In each case the rear unirails were deformed and/or cracked

I got ~$6k payout, and the replacement was $2k. I still have it and my spare parts rig has kept me on the road quite a few times

If I had to pay anyone else to do the work, it would not be economic