Hi experts, need some help:

I hit the kerb the two weeks ago when it snowed in Northern VA..pretty hard. Steering wheel started shaking a few days after that with speeds over 40mph.
took it to Merchants today and got a wheel balance that improved the ride..but I am told the left lower control arm cannot be fixed and need replacement because it is .29 off. due to the kerb hit.
Of course they quoted 299.00 for the part as well as 30 for the spendle...then labor piled on as usual. Comes to 800.00.
I called Acura in Gaithersburg and was shocked to get a quote for 329 for the part...wondering if perhaps since merchant will throw in alignment if the cost is reasonable?
Would love to do it myself..frankly..too cold here and do not have a garage.
Any ideas?
Cheers mates

 

There should be no reason the knuckle is bent. it takes a LARGE impact to bend them and 9 times out of 10 they will break before bending. I would get the lower control arm and then and alignment, I would bet this would correct your issue. that or have the shop show you where the bend in the knuckle is. shops LOVE to just throw parts at cars because they make alot of money off of the markup.

 

I did the same thing in my car about a year ago. It was the lower control arm for me that was bent. I did the work myself and then algined it. Took me about 2.5 hours total. The lower control arm cost me $269.