Last night, while driving, I got in the middle of the edge of a sidewalk with the front right tire, I was probably about 40-50 Km/hour; almost gave me a springboard with a big bang. Result: tire belly cut (but does not lose air), rim eaten on board, but the brave JK seems to have not been damaged. Indestructible!
Seriously, now I'm going to check well other damages, but I do not hear noise while driving, the steering is still straight and the JK is perfectly straight driving with no hands on the steering ... although after the collision I had the feeling of having the flat tire and I can't explain it, since now it seems ok.

Maybe the steering stabilizer could have damages since I have to correct the steering a lot when not on straight flat surfaces. What do you think?

Tips on which parts I have to inspect more carefully?

Rgds and thank you.

 

Have done similar in normal cars a few times with front independant suspension (both Mac Pherson strut & regular coil/shock combinations) and have damaged tie rod ends, ball joints, bent control arms and wrecked steering racks. Thing is, I noticed a difference in steering & handling straight away every time damage was done so you may be OK seeing that you say it still drives fine, with the JK's solid axle, beefier-than-car suspension, bigger-walled tyres and sturdy recirculating ball steering system all acting to absorb the collision forces and avoid component damage.

I'd still be checking your tie rod & ball joints on that side and getting/doing yourself a front end allignment; I'd also be adjusting your draglink if the steering wheel is no longer centred. If the bump stop worked correctly you should have avoided bottoming-out your shock but check for any damage or fluid leakage anyway.

 

I'll check that. Effectively the best definition of the sensation I've now when driving is that I feel loose the steering wheel.

 

That can indicate play in the steering box sector shaft (ie: damaged shaft bearing) though it could also be a loose bolt on the draglink or even a shot ball joint on the tie rod end. Steering box is expensive (I don't think these ones on the JK can be adjusted or repaired), but the tie rod end is fairly cheap so I'd check out that first.

 

If you now have to correct the steering "a lot" on uneven surfaces, your alignment changed, castor and/or toe. Probably not just a steering stabilizer problem, I have run without one before, and it made no difference in handling above 10 mph.

So yes, you probably bent something. If you cannot visually see anything wrong, take it in (hopefully some place you know and trust) and have it put on an alignment rack.

 

Check for a BIG crack in the front housing right next to the passenger side ca mounts...

 

You sound as though your front wheels may be toed-out now, this will give a vehicle a ''flighty'' feel, as though it doesn't know which wheel to follow. Your front wheels normally have a bit of toe-in, where the front wheels actually push against each other resulting in a strait line driving experience. It also feels tighter and will return to ''center'' after making a turn. Put your hand horizontally behind each front wheel and check the distance from the rear of the tire to the body. They should match within 3 to 5 mm or so....take it to a shop that works on solid axle vehicles to get it looked after properly. By the way, to check for a bad steering box turn the steering wheel from center in each direction until the wheel stops. The steering should turn equally in each direction. If not it is an indication that the splines on the sector shaft are twisted, resulting in the steering becoming preloaded to the damaged side. The only cure for twisted splines is a steering box rebuild (sector shaft replacement) or steering box assembly replacement. A very minor amount of twist can be adjusted out by the center link adjustment. Best of Luck!!!