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HI folks,

About me: I lived in NYC where I didn't need a car. Since now I am spending the new 12-16 months in a car-heavy state, (TX), I need some help navigating. I started driving since the past 3 months only. Before that I drove 2-3 months on minor roads as a teenager.

I got in a car wreck where I got out of my lane and slide pass the Metro bus on the other lane. The bus had some minor scatches on the sides and a bumper dent. However, my car on the other hand:

1997 CAMRY TOYOTA. Been with family for past 10 years. 2nd owner. NO issues.

1) The black part of the wheel (tire) busted or went flat.
2) The rim or silver part has some edge chipped off.
3) The tow truck guy said that the "axel" is bent. I looked underneath and found that the part connecting the wheel was twisted.


What to do here onwards to fix it? I'm on a low-cost budge as I'm building my academic/educational career and don't have much cash.

1) I want to buy the parts from the junkyard myself and then give them to the mechanic to save $$ and avoid paying extra. Is this possible to do with most mechanics?

2) Mobile mechanic or garage based? i HAVEN'T had any mechanic here so I have no clue how to find one. I was thinking of calling them and asking them for a quote. However car is in my parking lot. I can get a free tow but that's it.

Does it matter what mechanic I chose? As long as he's near my place and talks well and seems qualified? I would like to know what's going on with my car and what things are being done and if I'm being charged extra etc than just blindly letting some one do w/e and bill me without really understanding.

Are mobile mechanics shady or do you think that they are effective and maybe even cost-cutting than garage?

Any tips are appreciated. I didn't have anyone growing up or now who can help with such things.  PLEASE HELP! MY life is stopped, I can't go anywhere, having to rely on a really !#$#@ person to take me around who brings me down for being so aweful about car accidents.

-SINCERELY,
AfirsttimeCARuser  

perhaps this will help...



hopefully the suspension mounting brackets did not rip out..  

there are a LOT of options in junk yard parts..

you will need some metric tools...

8, 10, 12, 13, 14. 15, 17 , 18, 19. 21, 22..  some will be needed.. some won't i don't know exactly which ones fit where..

the problem.. you will probably need these sizes in combo wrench and in 3/8 drive sockets and in 1/2 inch drive sockets..

the car will have to have a 4 wheel alignment as you can see the eccentric cams on the inner lower control rod bolts..   they position the control arms in or out to keep the rear wheels pointing straight ahead...


the wheel and tire just gets replaced.. with probably a used rim.. and perhaps a used tire from the junk yard.. depending on where you live...