nirvana_1959

My daughter hit a curb while trying to avoid running into someone who had just made a very wide right turn. Front passenger wheel slightly damaged and the steering wheel out of alignment (by a good 20 degrees). Took it an alignment shop.

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The mechanic there said the front passenger side he was able to fix the toe. However, the camber had a +ve 1.7 (see Alignment report.png ) which cannot be fixed as the V doesn't have that feature. He suggested replacing the strut and the front lower control arm. That should improve the camber. This would cost around $775 (see Estimate.png ). If more adjustment is needed then it should be taken to a body shop to get the frame stretched. He mentioned with that kind of side impact strut takes quite a bit of hit and should definitely be replaced. The front lower control arm looks good to the naked eye (he says) but he will replace that too if more camber improvement is needed (after replacing the strut).

I am all over the map in my thought process for deciding on a course of action. I am considering replacing all the 4 struts and install SPC camber adjusting bolt (-1.75 to +1.75). The vehicle was bought new and has around 78K miles now. It has seen one major accident (someone ran into the front right side when I was making a left turn). Here are my questions:

1. Should I replace all the 4 of them or just the front 2 (or just the one that is supposedly damaged)

2. Given the age of the vehicle I am considering after-market parts such as Unity, Primchoiceautoparts, Completestruts). One major advantage is it is full assembly. Any suggestion/recommendation please...

3. Honda also has camber bolt. I am not sure about the part number or whether it can be used for such a big correction. Is it part # 13 and #15 (see Camber bolt ) ? Should I go with this instead of SPC ?
4. I have done brake pads, rotors, calipers, O2 sensor and other basic stuff. Will this be daunting challenge for me ?

5. I don't mind buying tools if they will make my job easier. Any suggestion please...

6. For camber measurement I am thinking of using a digital level (held against the rotor). I have to make corrections for difference in levels between right and left (as the jack stands may not be at level). This is just for my initial adjustment of camber before taking it to workshop for the "real" thing. Any ideas/comments ?

Book1483

Sounds like your on the right track. I would replace the front struts to begin with. If the lower control arms are bent, then do those first. I know that some after market struts have a slot in the lower mounting hole instead of just a regular hole which will allow for larger camber adjustments. This maybe something to consider.
I wouldn't go through the trouble of trying to maintain correct camber while you do this unless the shop your going to for the alignment is far away(more than 10miles). Set them both as far negative as possible to keep it drivable. You shouldn't see any tire wears if the drive is short.