Scared and Lucky

[SS MAYFLOAT]

Yesterday something happened to me that I always would wonder what would happen if it did. I was stopped at a light waiting to go across a bridge. Halfway across my service van started shaking and wobbling back and forth, tires squalling, and unable to keep control. Just as I had got off the bridge, (with the brakes on hard) the van suddenly swerved to the left in front of oncoming traffic, but they were stopped for the light.<br /><br />Shaking and trembling I get out and look at the front of the van to find I had broken a tie-rod end. The drag link laying on the ground. I just thank God it happened when and how it did.<br /><br />20 miles from town, in the hills, no cell phone signal and quitting time. I hate when this happens. Well the ball was still intact, so I took my sledge out and smacked the socket back over the ball, wrapped plumbers strapping around it and fastened with a nut and bolt. It got me home even though I just went about 25.<br /><br />Called the boss, told him about the problem, where does he tell me to take it?<br /><br />PEP Boys....DUH <br /><br />I hit the brakes so hard, I blew out a rear wheel cylinder.<br /><br />I think I was Lucky. Just hope it doesn't happen to any of you..........SS

 

[Ross J]

Re: Scared and Lucky

Strewth mate, looks like your fishing gardian angel was looking out for you. <br />Now make sure to appease the fishing gods by purchasing some new gear will you?<br />It could have been a lot worse, I imagine if you'd been doing 100kmph on a highway then we'd just start wondering why we hadn't heard from you after a while................<br />Ross

 

[ebbtide176]

Re: Scared and Lucky

now that is a story i'd hate to experience on my own. way back when i was 18 i had a wheel fall off, but i'd say a broken tie rod is worse. man you gotta be thankful.

 

[Homerr]

Re: Scared and Lucky

A similar thing happened to the Wife on her old Ford Tempo.<br /><br />Luckily she was at a stop sign. When she tried to go, the car just sat there. The tie rod broke off, and the tire turned in such a way, that she couldn't accelerate.<br /><br />She was going onto a VERY busy street too.<br /><br />We called Ford and griped, because the tie rod looked like it had been that way for a long time. It wasn't a 'clean' break. You could tell that a crack had been there.<br /><br />Of course they denied it. Go figure...<br /><br />H.

 

[SS MAYFLOAT]

Re: Scared and Lucky

So far as I can tell, Pep Bubba's done a good job this time. Brakes actually stop nice and straight (just see in a week or two), and finally the steering wheel is on center again.<br /><br />I just changed the tie rods on my wifes car just a couple of weeks ago, guess I should have checked my van.<br /><br />Of all the saftey features on a car, I am somewhat surprised that there is not a way for them to encapsulate that joint so that it can never pull completely apart. On race cars it is usually required. Since race car technology is used in todays cars, it seems like this would be passed on to the public.<br /><br />I'm just curious how many accidents are caused by this and blamed on something else?.....SS