Disaster Narrowly Averted

[catbirdseat]

I took my car to a Bellevue mechanic recommended by my friend korup. He was supposed to find out why the left front wheel was rubbing on the wheel well. While the car was on the rack he discovered that the previous owner or owner's mechanic had installed the front struts rotated 180 degrees from proper position. As a result, the brackets holding the brake lines were on the outside facing the wheels. The snow chains I had used on Saturday apparently had snagged the bracket on the right side pulling it so that the brake line was rubbing on the wheel rim. On the left side, one could see cracks in the brake line resulting from its having been bent at an extreme radius. Either line could have broken at any time resulting in a crash!

 

Another mechanic who had recently replaced the left axle never noticed the problem. I consider myself to be very lucky.

[kix]

there must be someone you can sue.

 

its the american way you know. practically an obligation.

[cj001f]

eh, cars without brakes aren't that bad. For a very, very short period of time.

[counterfeitfake]

Eh, car'll still stop with 3 brakes.

[Jim]

But not w/o brake fluid.

[cj001f]

Eh, car'll still stop with 3 brakes.

Many/most/my cars only have 2 circuits - you'd be stopping with 2 brakes.

[catbirdseat]

eh, cars without brakes aren't that bad. For a very, very short period of time.

Right, you are good for at least the three seconds it takes to impact with the car in front of you.

[counterfeitfake]

Eh, car'll still stop with 3 brakes.

Many/most/my cars only have 2 circuits - you'd be stopping with 2 brakes.

 

Eh, car'll still stop with 2 brakes.

[Dru]

In 1994, after driving a rental truck all over Vancouver Island, and then sending it back to the company we rented it from, they sent us a bill for $1800 along with a note mentioning that the front brakes were no longer part of the truck. apparently I ripped them off while driving over 6 foot high alders on a logging road.

 

i had never driven a truck before and assumed the bad handling in 2wd on pavement was normal

[kix]

i had never driven a truck before and assumed the bad handling in 2wd on pavement was normal

 

 

you should probaly avoid dangerous activities like rock climbing.

[AlpineK]

Pssst. Dru still doesn't have a drivers license.

[catbirdseat]

In 1994, after driving a rental truck all over Vancouver Island, and then sending it back to the company we rented it from, they sent us a bill for $1800 along with a note mentioning that the front brakes were no longer part of the truck. apparently I ripped them off while driving over 6 foot high alders on a logging road.

 

i had never driven a truck before and assumed the bad handling in 2wd on pavement was normal

You should have rented a bulldozer.

[Stefan]

I took my car to a Bellevue mechanic recommended by my friend korup. He was supposed to find out why the left front wheel was rubbing on the wheel well. While the car was on the rack he discovered that the previous owner or owner's mechanic had installed the front struts rotated 180 degrees from proper position. As a result, the brackets holding the brake lines were on the outside facing the wheels. The snow chains I had used on Saturday apparently had snagged the bracket on the right side pulling it so that the brake line was rubbing on the wheel rim. On the left side, one could see cracks in the brake line resulting from its having been bent at an extreme radius. Either line could have broken at any time resulting in a crash!

 

Another mechanic who had recently replaced the left axle never noticed the problem. I consider myself to be very lucky.

 

One of your lives has now been taken from you.

[ScottP]

You could just have jumped out at the last second rolled a few times and come up out of breath with your hair messed up.

I saw that happen on tv once...

[EWolfe]

This is why I always wear a helmet when I drive.

[Dechristo]

This is why I always wear a helmet when I drive.

and sit strapped into one of those plastic bin car seats. Facing backwards, of course. I use a front-view-mirror to see and sticks to operate the pedals.

[Dr_Flash_Amazing]

This is why I always wear a helmet when I drive.

and sit strapped into one of those plastic bin car seats. Facing backwards, of course. I use a front-view-mirror to see and sticks to operate the pedals.

 

So, what do you call it when you rear-end someone, then?

[Camilo]

A Manhattan Transfer.

[tivoli_mike]

You could just have jumped out at the last second rolled a few times and come up out of breath with your hair messed up.

I saw that happen on tv once...

 

"Tuck and roll, tuck and roll!"