The other day, while I was driving on the back roads, I took a corner wide to avoid some road debris and the passenger tires started to go into the ditch. I managed to keep it out of the ditch, but I hit a big rock (actually a chunk of buried concrete) which seems to have bent the frame in front of the passenger-side rear wheel (right under the rear door). It now pulls slightly to that side. Is there any way to correct this, or at least improve it ...???

By the way, I'm already not too happy about this, so if all you're going to say is something like "wow, that sucks!", please keep it to yourself - I'd appreciate it!

The only damage I can see, is the lower control arm would be bent, and possibly the strut. Either way, don't drive the vehicle, have it checked out by a shop.

I see you hitting the rock as if you went sideways, and the wheel hit the rock sideways? Or is there damage to the door? Pictures would be a good idea.

If it is in fact a bent frame, there is not much you can do. Probably a write-off. There are some places that have frame straighteners, but that may be an area that they may not be able to do anything about.

Or you may have to cut that section of the frame and floor right out of the car and get a good section re-welded back in.

I don't have a digital camera, so pics would be hard to come by. I'll try some ASCII art ...

BACK ... L-/ ( o ) \+^+--I------/ ( o )\--/7 ... FRONT
damage_______/\

I'll try to get someone with a camera to take a picture of it for me and emial it to me. In the mean time I hope that gives you an idea.

Unfortunately, I have no choice but to drive it. I did, however, have one of my buddies that knows a little more than me about frames and suspension (he works on 4x4'*) take a look at it, and he said it'd be okay to drive on it. Fortunately, it doesn't pull very hard to the right, so it'* not a pain to drive.

is the car listing at all to one side? I am thinking control arm as well. But it may have hit so hard that it damaged the upper strut mount, but i find that unlikely. Pic would definitely help.

So the damage is in under the rear door, on that section of frame that goes to the rear, (under the trunk)? You know, if its just pulling slightly, an alignment might fix it for a while.

The damage was to the passenger side almost exactly where the rear passenger jack-point is under the rear door. I'm still working on some pics, so bear with me.

I did have the front end aligned afterwards, but not the rear end ... do you think it'd be that easy ...?

Yes!! It should be! There are adjustable tie-rods in the rears, (toe)the struts are adjustable. (camber).

It really should be easy enough for the alignment guys to tell you it is out, and its easy enough to make adjustments too! (same as front end).

If it still pulls after alignment, take it back, and have them fix it.