Bent LCA, anything else I should check into..?

[entity]

I finally got a look under my car the other day and I noticed that the middle of my drivers side lower control arm is bent inwards. Looks like the previous driver hit something and banged it up pretty bad..

I'm assuming this is what is causing my steering wheel to shake pretty bad at some speeds..am I correct? I don't know if the steering is loose because I haven't driven another S14 to compare it to.

I already have a set of adjustable TC rods ready to be installed & I'm planning on getting a set of tie rods. Is there anything else that I should check out?

Any other parts I should just swap out to be safe?

I also ran across something called a Nismo power brace bar when I was looking into the LCA's..apparently this connects your TC rods. I thought your TC rods connected to your LCA's..? Where does this bar connect, and what's the benefit of having it? Is it worth $150?

Thanks for any answers guys

[entity]

anyone?

[driftnS13 240sx]

ya that happened 2 me 2, i had 2 replace the whole strut tower bc it was all bent, the LCA u can get at a lot of places (even junkyards) jack the car up and inspect everything look 4 cracks and bent parts.. better safe than sry

[Rownan]

I also ran across something called a Nismo power brace bar when I was looking into the LCA's..apparently this connects your TC rods. I thought your TC rods connected to your LCA's..? Where does this bar connect, and what's the benefit of having it? Is it worth $150?

Thanks for any answers guys

power brace stiffens the front of the chassis by a considerable amount. The TC rods connect by two bolts at the LCAs and by a bushing at the brace. If you have a good idea in your head of what the nismo power brace looks like, and then take a peak under the front of your car you'll see exactly what it replaces.

[Ceptos]

the shaking at highway speeds is probably from tension rod bushings.

im in the middle of replacing my steering parts, i have adjustable tension rods, urethane LCA bushings, new ball joints (for LCA) and new tie rod ends. ive already replaced the tie rods. im eventually going to get aftermarket quality tie rods and ends, but for now i just wanted something new.

an alignment would tell you if something is bent.

[entity]

Funny thing is I took it in for an alignment and the ppl didn't even mention the big dent in my LCA. Needless to say I don't go there anymore.