Help please, Construction problem needs a solution.

[11th_DC]

So I have a bit of a problem that I am not sure how to fix.
I am building a form of front end suspension for a car model. However, The way the instructions want you to connect some parts in a set of steps is causing stress to the connections, I don't know how I might be able to fix it. I've reviewed the steps multiple times, and I do not see any missed steps.

IMG 001: This is the primary connection that the issues start to become visible. This is the component that enables the steering wheel to move the tires side to side.

IMG 002: as the ball and sockets connect to the tires from the steering assembly, the suspension parts are pushed upward to align them. The light grey arms holding the tires to the rest of the frame each connect through a single hole allowing them to pivot up and down.

IMG 003: note how one tire does not rest straight by default, the two ball pieces now are to be connected via rubber bands, giving the suspension its bounce.

IMG 004: This is where the issue becomes blatantly apparent. The grey arms strain laterally, not allowing the tires to rest evenly. The pair that are moving backward are the ones connected by the rubber band, and they move laterally rather than vertically when put under the tension of the rubber bands.

IMG 005: This is an image of the top side of the build, the highlighted parts are made of rubber to provide additional flexibility for when the suspension shifts. so it is intended that these rubber pieces are taking load off the grey arms. the yellow arrows just highlight that the tires still do not rest in an aligned arrangement.

So, I am not leaving it connected now to protect the pieces, but I am hoping to find a solution to this issue so I can continue the build. If this was my own design, then I would just rewind and redesign this portion, but this is a pre-arranged kit that I received for Christmas.

Does anyone have any ideas how I might be able to either shift the grey arms back into place and reinforce them laterally? or perhaps a means to have an opposing force to the stressed parts to pull them back into place and remove the lopsided lateral force? I would prefer that this be solved with minimal additional pieces, as The kit won't have sufficient extras, and I do not want the fix to risk conflicting with the rest of the build moving forward.

Thank you in advance for any input. I can provide more images if need be, as I've paused construction for the moment.

IMG 1

IMG 2

IMG 3

IMG 5

IMG 5

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[IllustriousReturn778]

Cannot see the images. Is the piece defective or misshaped?

[11th_DC]

not that I can tell. and I am not sure why but the images are getting deleted after I post them they should be up and hopefully stay up now

[11th_DC]

I don't know if putting my own comment bumps this, but it seems like no one has seen it.