Hey guys,
As the title says, I had an accident in my jeep today. Hit a slick spot of ice, and ended up in the ditch. Luckily I am fine, except my pride haha. The Jeep took most of the blow, and I haven’t been able to climb under her yet to see what’s up. I was able to drive out of the ditch, immediately felt the steering was out of whack. Steering wheel was crooked, and I could barley turn left, and I had a whine noise when I turned. Has it towed to my house and planning on climbing under her tomorrow. The roof rack and tire got ripped off the top, but other than a fender flare and a mirror she seems ok. I believe the roof rack rails are riveted on, what would be my best course of action to deal with the holes. Could I have possibly ruined my power steering pump/steering box? Or should I try and look more for bent/broken pieces?
Thanks

 

Can't tell too much from the pictures, but your tie rod is definitely bent which would explain your steering issue.

 

Best to hose it off with high pressure, then get it up on a lift if you can for a comprehensive analysis. If you have a buddy that is also a good wrench, have them there for the look see.

 

I believe the best two things going for you is hopefully the frame is not bent and the engine runs. You probably have parts that need to be replaced etc. but I say its repairable depending on how much you want to put into it. I just spent 8 months fixing an 01 that the body shop wanted $4600 to fix. I got it fixed for $1600. You have questions , PM me as I will have knowledge about certain things.

 

If you do not want to fix the roof rack, plastic plug the holes. My 01 was used by a police department. I have several plugged holes on the roof. just make sure they are sealed.

 

if you can id take it to the car wash and get a deep clean or whatever has undercarriage washing and then go from there

 

Thanks guys! I just got the jeep home a little bit ago, so I’m the morning I am going to spray her down and hopefully get a better look. I had a feeling it may be a tie rod, since I could turn right but not left. The holes in the roof are really a bummer, I am almost debating just patching them with jb weld and then monstalining the whole thing! Fingers crossed!

 

In all seriousness though... Glad to hear you came out of it okay it sounds like. As sad as it is because we become attached to our vehicles, they are easier to fix than we are sometimes. So glad for that. hope you get good news on her.

 

It's probably not that bad looks like a pretty soft landing. Would be if different story if it involved other vehicles or slicing a utility pole off at the ground.

 

go order a long tie rod for a V8 grand cherokee (ZJ) or you can upgrade to an aftermarket one. you might need a right inner tie rod end also.

and check your control arm bushings. they should be fine, but no harm in looking.

as for the roof, you might want to tack in a patch over the holes. you may not get it to seal with JB weld as it will just keep falling in the hole before it actually plugs it. you could also use those plastic plugs mentioned, if you can find them.

the mirror and flare, well, i'm sure you can handle that.

 

Gotta climb under her and see. I watched a bleeping new video where he sealed up his holes by grinding it flush, and plugging it with a nickel and rtv. Cheap and effective, and it gives me and excuse to monstaliner line it!

 

Ruffstuff 1 ton steering

I think they make one that is even bolt on now.

 

I have this kit. Super nice. And they run 20% off about every other week so its actually about 200 bucks.

http://www.ruffstuffspecialties.com/catalog/YLINK.html

 

Looks like a cracked steering brace and possible cracked power steering pump

 

That sucks but glad you are OK and it looks fixable. Good luck with the repairs.