Took the Pagoda out to lunch Friday at one of my favorite local spots. I parked in the corner space as close to the curb as I could to avoid door dings, and rubbed the curb with my right front wheel. After a few choice cuss words about some minor curb rash, I had lunch, thinking all was OK, but on my way home, realized the car was handling very badly, and my steering wheel was not straight. It looked like my right front tire was almost flat. I drove the 2 miles home gingerly and examined the damage. The tire pressure was OK, but it was laying over on its side (camber) which affected the driver's side as well. The tow in is messed up, with the front wheels now pointing in different directions. (right points in when left is straight)
Up on the jack stands to see what is broken, and nothing is apparent. I had replaced tie rods, drag link and dampner recently which improved the handling somewhat, and all that looks nice. I am thinking king pin, but not at all sure how to tell. I can rock the wheel and I do get some play 12/6 o'clock, but not really excessive. Did that with jack under the A Arm compressing the spring, and without with no big difference. I am looking for opinions and advice.
Obviously, I could use new king pins, bushings and a-arm bushings etc after 40+ years, but am a little reluctant to start that since I have not done that before. I hate work that requires compressing coil springs, and assume that is where I am headed. What special tools will I need to tackle all that is likely needed? Spring compressor? Press for the bushings? reamer? I'm not a bad shade tree mechanic, but is this something I should tackle?
Let me have it!!