From what he said it was mostly dialed in and it drove/wheeled great. I've had about 50/50 people tell me not to bend the ph and the other telling me it's fine, i really don't want to bend it but i'm not sure it's gonna work out. I think going with a kit would have been quicker and easier from the start.
Sounds like a materials issue. Bending is ok so long as you have the strong enough tube.