08 prius left front tire hit the curb due to snow

The user error made it hit the curb, not the snow!

But your alignment is going to be way off which would explain your symptoms. You need that to be aligned NOW. Not in a couple weeks when you get to it, but NOW.

Then everything should be back to normal. It has been heard of to bend axles on some cars when they get hit that way, but it is not very common. At 10mph, it would be very surprising.

Glad you are OK though! And if anything else is wrong, a competent mechanic at the alignment shop should spot it right away.

 

When you say the sensor goes off over 35 mph, what sensor are you talking about.

 

That sounds like the ABS (automatic brake system) sensor, and hopefully this will clear when the tracking has been corrected.

 

Explain what you hit and the speed, to the alignment shop. There might be frame damage, requiring repair work by a body shop.

 

I would recommend getting it completely checked out.
There obviously IS damage, damage you can see. There are symptoms already affecting the driving.
I wouldn't default to the idea that there is no body damage. If it was "only" a bent tire cover and deep cut rim? You wouldn't have the alignment problem and the sensor going off....
You may not want to spend more...but you owe it to yourself and your vehicle to be totally checked out. Over the internet all anyone can do is "guess" as to your potential damage or lack of damage. As owner? You need to know exactly.

 

Bent tie rod at the least if steering wheel off and possibly bent rim. Lower lca. Probably more. Very wimpy driving/suspension components in the front of our cars.
I'm thinking $1200.
Oh and make very very sure the cv joints weren't jammed and the transmission diff seal/bearing is now not damaged and the transmission is now leaking fluid. Common on hard hits. Drive away and they did not check that and all the fluid leaks out and then your into about $5000 for a new transmission. Has to be checked get that in writing.

 

Any update?

Im going to go with potential ABS sensing gear/wheel hub damage from the shock load of the hit. Does anybody know if the ABS sensor in the wheel hub is a reluctor wheel type?

 

You should be able to save by getting a wheel and control arm from a breaker as new Toyota alloy wheels are not cheap.

After market wheel bearing hubs as I understand are not expensive in the US and the work could easily be done by a small independent shop as the work is much the same as any other front wheel drive car.

 

After looking around for parts in the UK "usually more expensive than US" I would expect to pay less than half of the figure you have been quoted. Maybe someone else from the US can give a closer figure, and may even be able to point you to someone with a wheel for sale.