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Faerdal
Toomuchtimeonhands
Joined: 11 Oct 2002
Posts: 954
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 Posted: 11/24/03 - 19:22 Post subject: Can anyone with some mechanical knowledge of cars help?
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Well, I was driving home from work today. It was a good day. I was getting off early for the first time in weeks. I was happy. I was on the highway, about half a mile from my exit, just travelling along in traffic, when I see a small black looking thing on the road in front of me. It looked kind of like a car part (it ended up being a piece of an old driveshaft), but I wasn't sure. Everyone in front of me cleared it, so I figured I could too. It wasn't like I had a choice, I had about 100 ft to react after I saw it on the road and slamming on the brakes or changing lanes would have causes a bad accident. So I sort of held my breath, slowed down as much as I could, and just hoped for the best. The best didn't happen. =(
A 350Z sits pretty low in general, but it cleared the front. The undercarriage unfortunately sits lower. I heard a pretty bad thump as it impacted, and pulled over to the shoulder immediately. I turned the car off, turned it back on, put it in gear, and tried to see if it was ok. No dice. The engine just revved, no power was being transferred to the wheels. It didn't sound quite normal either, the tone was a bit (just a bit)wispy and throatier. Barely noticable, but it was definitely there.
I don't think I have any engine damage, I'm pretty sure all the damage was localized close to the point of impact. I couldn't get a great view of it was it was on the tow truck, and I'm not anything close to a mechanic as far as cars go, so I'm not sure what could be damaged. It looked like it impacted on some sort of semi-flat wishbone shaped metal brace (whatever is curved back towards both wheels), and that was bent upward pretty severely. It seemed to have either snapped or tore through whatever was directly above it or part of it, because there was this 1.5-2" diameter shaft that was angled down and was obviously broken. I couldn't tell at the time if it was a padded/insulated shaft, or just torn metal. Like I said, I'm not a mechanic.
The tow got to the Nissan dealership about 2 mins before they were ready to walk out, they didn't have time to look it over tonight. Anyone know what's likely to be the problem? Is it going to cost as much to fix as I think? (insurance will cover it, but i'm not 100% sure i can get this filed as a No Fault incident... even though it pretty much was)
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Sunkorzien
Sir Postalot
Joined: 14 Oct 2002
Posts: 1443
Location: New Orleans
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Posted: 11/24/03 - 19:27 Post subject:
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You broke your f*****g driveshaft and f****d up your springs.
Grats.
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hitachi
RealPoor Sensei
Joined: 11 Oct 2002
Posts: 1507
Location: Maryland
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Posted: 11/24/03 - 19:29 Post subject:
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sad face
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Sunkorzien
Sir Postalot
Joined: 14 Oct 2002
Posts: 1443
Location: New Orleans
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Posted: 11/24/03 - 19:30 Post subject:
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Oh...and as how much it's gonna cost to fix?
I'm guessing probably 3-5 grand.
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compusmack
RealPoor Master of Posts
Joined: 15 Oct 2002
Posts: 6354
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Posted: 11/24/03 - 19:31 Post subject:
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ouch.
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Rennol
RealPoor Guru
Joined: 11 Oct 2002
Posts: 3741
Location: Charleston, IL
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Posted: 11/24/03 - 19:35 Post subject:
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Ouch man that blows.
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Faerdal
Toomuchtimeonhands
Joined: 11 Oct 2002
Posts: 954
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Posted: 11/24/03 - 19:37 Post subject:
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I'm hoping that the damage is all localized to this one point. I'm pretty sure there was no damage to the engine or any other systems, it just seems to be the twisted/bent metal where it hit my underbody. I'm asking some of the guys who do a lot of work on 350Z's on their message board, hopefully I can get a semi professional answer there =/
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Dapht
Luke Warm
Joined: 19 Oct 2002
Posts: 348
Location: ALaska
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Posted: 11/24/03 - 20:00 Post subject:
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Maybe something in the transmission linkage. If it would not go into gear then it would jsut rev up. I think that that maybe your best case scenario.. Driveshaft would be bad mkay. /shrug Good luck man
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WheresNWS
RealPoor Master of Posts
Joined: 19 Nov 2002
Posts: 6448
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Posted: 11/24/03 - 20:00 Post subject:
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The EXACT same thing happened to me in February. I was driving home from Louisville in a nasty snow storm and a car part appeared from underneath the semi in front of me. I had no time to react, because if I moved, I would have slid off the road. The damage was not localized. It was over $7000, but I only had to pay the deductible. It tore out the entire tranmission and undercarriage and took a month to fix. They had to ship in parts from Sweden. 
edit: Forgot to mention. They did file it as a no fault, but they said because it was in the snow storm. I have USAA insurance (you might since you're in the military) so they may do the same for you. My adjuster said that due to conditions it was unavoidable. I don't know if your situation is the same.
Also...duuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuude
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Uglarbashdemgud
RealPoor Guru
Joined: 14 Oct 2002
Posts: 3245
Location: Riding on 2 wheels, One at a time.
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Posted: 11/24/03 - 20:42 Post subject:
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USAA Insurance owns. (I use the same...)
When I dropped my bike, I had a check for $1900.00 to me in about 5 days.
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Paco
RealPoor Jedi
Joined: 13 Oct 2002
Posts: 12939
Location: Jacksonville, FL
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Posted: 11/24/03 - 20:43 Post subject:
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hey h**o, call me
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WheresNWS
RealPoor Master of Posts
Joined: 19 Nov 2002
Posts: 6448
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Posted: 11/24/03 - 20:46 Post subject:
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| Uglarbashdemgud wrote: | USAA Insurance owns. (I use the same...)
When I dropped my bike, I had a check for $1900.00 to me in about 5 days. |
w3rd. It's the only company I truly like and trust. I've moved all most of my accounts over there...savings, stocks, credit card, all insurance. I only keep a local checking account for convenience. If anybody has the opportunity, I highly recommend them.
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Sabathius
RealPoor Guru
Joined: 11 Oct 2002
Posts: 2179
Location: San Angelo
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Posted: 11/24/03 - 20:48 Post subject:
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Transmission or driveshaft. You might have also broken the axle, but that would have been obvious, and the piece would have to have been big and you'd have had to hit it HARD.
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kireol
RealPoor Master of Posts
Joined: 02 Aug 2003
Posts: 9517
Location: Royal Oak, MI
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Posted: 11/24/03 - 21:09 Post subject:
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And just think, if you would have bought yourself a nice american truck, you would be sitting at home having a great night.
proud american with an american truck
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Faerdal
Toomuchtimeonhands
Joined: 11 Oct 2002
Posts: 954
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Posted: 11/24/03 - 21:30 Post subject:
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i can say with complete honesty that i currently have, at no point in the past have had, and cannot fathom a point in the foreseeable future when i will have even the most miniscule desire to drive, own, or even look at a truck
i'm very sorry that you have to identify with your car (and the country of origin) so much though. i mean, it's not just a machine to get around in or to enjoy; yeah, it's a statement man, a poem forged in metal, a symphony of freedom and cheeseburgers and bud light. or something.
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WheresNWS
RealPoor Master of Posts
Joined: 19 Nov 2002
Posts: 6448
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Posted: 11/24/03 - 21:31 Post subject:
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| Faerdal wrote: | i can say with complete honesty that i currently have, at no point in the past have had, and cannot fathom a point in the foreseeable future when i will have even the most miniscule desire to drive, own, or even look at a truck
i'm very sorry that you have to identify with your car (and the country of origin) so much though. i mean, it's not just a machine to get around in or to enjoy; yeah, it's a statement man, a poem forged in metal, a symphony of freedom and cheeseburgers and bud light. or something. |
duuuuuuuuuuuuude.........
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kireol
RealPoor Master of Posts
Joined: 02 Aug 2003
Posts: 9517
Location: Royal Oak, MI
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Posted: 11/24/03 - 21:32 Post subject:
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| Faerdal wrote: | | i mean, it's not just a machine to get around in or to enjoy; yeah, it's a statement man, a poem forged in metal, a symphony of freedom and cheeseburgers and bud light. or something. |
basically the only thing on realpoor you've ever said that makes sense. welcome to the brotherhood of being a MAN. even in your mocking ways
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Faerdal
Toomuchtimeonhands
Joined: 11 Oct 2002
Posts: 954
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Posted: 11/24/03 - 21:36 Post subject:
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can i get my special friendship man-hug now please?
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Rennol
RealPoor Guru
Joined: 11 Oct 2002
Posts: 3741
Location: Charleston, IL
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Posted: 11/24/03 - 21:47 Post subject:
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Wow what a coincidence, I use USAA too 
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WheresNWS
RealPoor Master of Posts
Joined: 19 Nov 2002
Posts: 6448
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Posted: 11/24/03 - 21:47 Post subject:
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| Rennol wrote: | | Wow what a coincidence, I use USAA too ;) |
Well then you've done somthing right!
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d*****s
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Rennol
RealPoor Guru
Joined: 11 Oct 2002
Posts: 3741
Location: Charleston, IL
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Posted: 11/24/03 - 21:52 Post subject:
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Damn, and here I was, thinking that for once WheresNWS and I could have a special bonding of some sort on some level :/
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Yabden
RealPoor Guru
Joined: 13 Oct 2002
Posts: 2485
Location: Ohio
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Posted: 11/24/03 - 22:38 Post subject:
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If thats your truck Kireol I like it.
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kireol
RealPoor Master of Posts
Joined: 02 Aug 2003
Posts: 9517
Location: Royal Oak, MI
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Posted: 11/24/03 - 22:48 Post subject:
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thanks yabden. yes it is
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Paden
RealPoor Master of Posts
Joined: 23 Oct 2002
Posts: 9362
Location: North CAROLINA!
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Posted: 11/24/03 - 23:32 Post subject:
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At least you did not flip your car into a ditch like my friend did sunday.
RIP
94 Mustang
She was a good car with 69k miles on her!
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Rennol
RealPoor Guru
Joined: 11 Oct 2002
Posts: 3741
Location: Charleston, IL
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Posted: 11/24/03 - 23:39 Post subject:
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Some kid in my area lost control of his '95 Mustang on the way home from school a couple of days ago, hit a curb, exited the confines of the road and hit a tree, killing him.
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Paden
RealPoor Master of Posts
Joined: 23 Oct 2002
Posts: 9362
Location: North CAROLINA!
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Posted: 11/24/03 - 23:41 Post subject:
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I'm glad my friend did not die.
He is a good guy!
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Kurel
RealPoor Sensei
Joined: 11 Oct 2002
Posts: 1877
Location: Cali
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kireol
RealPoor Master of Posts
Joined: 02 Aug 2003
Posts: 9517
Location: Royal Oak, MI
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Posted: 11/25/03 - 00:01 Post subject:
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the next mustang should be bad ass
of course this has stuff on it to disguise it's looks. but old fastback style
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