Chrysler Repair: Steering disturbed by road impact, razor blade, spedometer


Question
I drive a 1992 LeBaron V6 Convertible.  About a week ago I was leaving the store and just as I'm pulling from the parking lot onto the road there was a loud bang and I jerked to a stop.  I'm pretty sure I just jumped the curb, and it was just that violent because the car is so low...
Anyway, about half way home I noticed that the whole steering wheel is now turned slightly to the left when the car is going straight, and it seems to turn a lot wider, but looking under the car (as best I can) I don't see any damage.
What could have happened?  I mean, it seems to still drive okay, and there aren't any noises... the position is just annoying.  Is it something major? Or could something be bent?
I just don't want to keep driving it and later find out I broke something.

Also, often when its been sitting a while and I get in and drive off, the spedometer stays at zero unless I tap it. How can that be fixed?

Thank you!

Answer
Hi Austin,
I would wonder if something having to do with steering, like a tie rod, got bent? Your front wheels may be out of alignment. Possibly that would show up in the toe-in measurement:  
You would find this easier to do with the aid of a helper. If you paint a couple of marks at the same point on the front tire treads (choose a point about the same hight as the axles) and 'score' the marks vertically with a razor blade.  Measure the distance between those score marks, then roll the car far enougn so that the marks are now on the back side of the tires but still visible from side to side and then remeasure the distance between them, you should find that the latter measurement is about 1/16" longer than the front measurement.  If not, then you would be wise to get the toe-in reset and also check for any visible damage to the connections between the steering gear and the steering knuckle on both sides.
On the speedo, it is probably an issue right at the speedo head unit because the signal for the speedo arrives digitally with alot of other data so if something was wrong at the plug/socket it would affect all the gauges not just one. It could be a solder joint on the circuit board that connects the head unit or the head unit itself getting flaky.
Roland