Offset from Hell saved the VX ...

[tom4bren]

... but she won't be on the road for a while.

Traveling up I95 this morning, towing an empty utility trailer, the cars in front of me came to a hard stop. I LEEEEANED on the brakes but with the trailer pushing me, I wasn't gonna stop in time.

I started to head for the shoulder but the Ford Escape in front of me had the same idea. As soon as she realized that she would be able to stop in time, she stayed in her lane & I headed for the shoulder. All this happened in about 0.587 seconds. My front drivers side tire hit her rear bumper and rode up the quarter panel ... ever so gently diflecting me further towards the shoulder. But now I was on 2 wheels. A nice arc sent me safely around the Ford but I came to rest with the front driver's tire resting about 1 1/2 feet off the ground on the side of a Dodge Van.

What a ride!!!

Hope I never do THAT again!!!

Anyway, after the State Trooper took his pix, he asked me to kindly remove my VX from the side of the van. I obligingly did so but when the tires were all on the ground again, it was plainly evident that something was amiss. The front tires were pointing 2 different directions.

The good news is that everyone was OK. The bad news is that I made the news (Wifey called to tell me that the radio was reporting a 7 mile backup).

I don't have any idea what the extent of the damage is yet but I'll keep you posted. As soon as I figger out how to get the pix on my phone downloaded to my 'puter, I'll post them.

Tom

Pix are on page 3 of this thread: http://www.vehicross.info/forums/sho...4&postcount=39

[VX KAT]

I just KNEW that offset from hell was a great idea!! YAH!!!!!!!!!!
Glad it went down THIS way, and not the other many baddddddd ways it could have & yer all OK!

[deermagnet]

I'm glad you're okay, Tom. It'll get fixed and you'll be back on the road in no time. Stay off I-95!

Mark

[Scott Harness]

Good driving!! glad everyone is okay.

[MSHardeman]

Tom, glad to hear that everyone is OK, and the VX is in relatively good shape. Sounds like you might have bent, or snapped, a tie rod. Easy fix....heck, Zeus did it on the trails in Moab.

Way to "monster truck" it.

[vt_maverick]

Dude that's terrible!!! So sorry to hear about it, definitely keep us posted on the damages, and let me know if there's anything you need my help in hunting down.

[VX KAT]

Dude that's terrible!!! So sorry to hear about it, definitely keep us posted on the damages, and let me know if there's anything you need my help in hunting down.

Oh yeah, that's right, Tom. Mav is "just a guy who knows how to get stuff" and I'm his jr.apprentice! Yes, grasshopper, this is how you find VX parts....

[Triathlete]

Glad all ended well (somewhat anyways)! May be time to upgrade to indy 4x heavy duty tie rods...if I recall they are pretty close in price to new stock ones.

[Mile High VX]

Glad everyone is fine Tom.

Only a 7 mile back up? Dude, you can do better than that...

If the damage is more that just the tie rod you might grab that VX in Des Moines for $2K that needs a motor...just sayin.

[tom4bren]

If the damage is more that just the tie rod you might grab that VX in Des Moines for $2K that needs a motor...just sayin.

HMMM!!!! USAA, I have a DEAL for you!!!


Thanks all. The shakes are kinda subsiding now.

Gotta go home & try to get the Eclipse fixded so I can get to work in the morning (still overheating ... Bye Bye thermostat).

[BigMeatVX]

Glad all ended well (somewhat anyways)! May be time to upgrade to indy 4x heavy duty tie rods...if I recall they are pretty close in price to new stock ones.

You must mean the SWORDY-designed Tie Rods that Matt over at Indy COPPIED!!!

Ive had a similar SWORDY set for years....

Heres the problem....the joints that both aftermarket used DO NOT HAVE THE SAME ANGLE capabilities as the stock OEM units....This means they BIND under full droop!!!!They Bind Bad enough to bend the Tie Rod end joints and also the idler arm bolt-shaft

Big Swede hads had problems with this also....

[tom4bren]

Just a little update.

The garage said that Isuzu claims it'll take 6-8 weeks to get the steering box. RamAirZ is kindly sending me his spare. I'll start looking tomorrow for a new set of seals for it. They really only need the sector shaft from the donor box.

Yah, I had comp but being the miser that I am, I have a $1K deductable so I'll be out a little ching.

[RamAirZ]

Ya I'm ordering a set this week, keep my stockers as spares. Like I said in the hitch thread, just glad your ok and the VX is ok. Also I can't lie, I can't wait to see your VX parked on top of a van lol. You could use it as a sig pic! Minivan<VX

[PittVXr]

Tom, 2 things:

#1: Glad to hear that you are fine. A little shaken up, but good none the less.

#2: Those pics are going to be awesome! Can't wait to see them.

Congratulations on making the news. Good thing you weren't transporting any deactivated landmines this morning! You would have been the lead story.

[tomdietrying]

Glad you are o.k. Sounds like your VX should be up and running in no time.
Peace.
Tom