Small Accident due to suspected suspension rod-end failure

jalsa777 · 22nd January 2009, 17:13

Hey guys,
I met with a small accident 2 days ago. Luckily, I am absolutely safe, not even a bruise.

Details
Place: Near IMAX, Wadala, Mumbai.
Car: Palio 1.2
Time: around 1330.
speed: 50-60 kmph

What Happened:

I was taking a long left turn. As there was no car behind or in front of mine i was following the racing line (just the line, was not going fast, that corner can and has been easily taken at even 110 kmph).

When i was at the apex, I saw a taxi had met with an accident and the police were attaching it to a towing van around 200 metres ahead.

I braked ever so lightly,
but suddenly,
the rear came loose, i attempted to control it, but the car just flicked, i was just a passenger after this.

The car did a 180 (clockwise) and banged into the tall concrete divider.

Fortunately, i was slow, and nothing happened to me.

The car has left rear suspension damage, and also left front suspension damage.

No body panel was dented at all (very surprising)

Why it happened:

I did not happen due to the mid-corner braking because i was very slow for that corner, and the brakes were applied very gently.

According to the mechanic who was near the scene and also my regular garage guy,

The bolt connecting the lower front wishbone to the upright (hub) was missing. They think it was mechanical failure that lead to the accident.

Also, the front left wheel was at an absurd angle, which could not have resulted from the impact.

emkay456 · 22nd January 2009, 17:22

It seems to be a nasty incident. Good to hear that you came out unscathed. Quite scary

FERRO · 22nd January 2009, 18:50

Good to hear you came out unharmed do keep us informed about what exactly went wrong in your palio.

Blue Thunder · 22nd January 2009, 23:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by jalsa777

...Luckily, I am absolutely safe, not even a bruise.
...

sounds like a scary incident...glad that you came out unscathed

.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jalsa777

...No body panel was dented at all (very surprising)...

Not surprising...considering that it is a Palio ( built like a tank ! ).

jalsa777 · 24th January 2009, 11:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blue Thunder

sounds like a scary incident...glad that you came out unscathed

.

Not surprising...considering that it is a Palio ( built like a tank ! ).

yeah, the tank like built shows itself up every now and then.

I had a NHC tailgate me,
his whole front-end was gone,

i just had a dent on the boot.

(can see that in the pic)

i will post the estimate for the repairs soon

BaCkSeAtDrIVeR · 24th January 2009, 12:45

I am sure that this could have not happened just like that. Was there any warning in handling? And simultaneous failures on front and rear??

What is the service history of the car? And are you on hit list of some underworld don? (Serious question)

jalsa777 · 25th January 2009, 12:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by BaCkSeAtDrIVeR

I am sure that this could have not happened just like that. Was there any warning in handling? And simultaneous failures on front and rear??

What is the service history of the car? And are you on hit list of some underworld don? (Serious question)

the was pulling to one side during braking. this started a day or two before the accident. i was supposed to get it showed to the mechanic, but...

the car has been serviced regularly at Shaman. Only, this once, service was overdue by a month or so.

And NO, i am on no hit list. Just a normal citizen

BaCkSeAtDrIVeR · 25th January 2009, 13:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by jalsa777

And NO, i am on no hit list. Just a normal citizen

Ok - just to eliminate possibility of deliberate tampering. So, the car did show some signs of problems before, and you ignored them.

Lesson learnt the hard way!!!

Mpower · 25th January 2009, 19:58

THe bolt you describe is the ball joint connection. Definetly will cause you to lose control. The nut could have fallen out some time earlier and the during the turn the force would have popped out the ball joint bolt

theMAG · 25th January 2009, 20:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mpower

THe bolt you describe is the ball joint connection. Definetly will cause you to lose control. The nut could have fallen out some time earlier and the during the turn the force would have popped out the ball joint bolt

Yup.

Jalsa777: When was the last time you left the car for service, and was the suspension given a once-over during that?

Lalvaz · 26th January 2009, 14:46

Hey Jalsa, glad to know that you're safe. Scary accident indeed. Couple of questions.
How old is the Palio?
How many kms done?
Any previous accidents apart from the rear ending by the NHC?
You were taking a left turn, braked lightly, car turned right (180 deg), and banged into the concrete divider. Any inputs from the mechanics as to why the car would steer in the opposite direction even if the nut fell off? I mean, your front wheels are already pointing left, what could be the reason for them to turn right? Did you try to swerve right and away from something while you were trying to get control of the vehicle?

snaronikar · 26th January 2009, 14:54

And now the big question. Whatz the cost of repairs quoted by dealer ? I feel it may cost you a bomb...

jalsa777 · 26th January 2009, 16:20

yeah MPower, i feel the same too

Quote:

Originally Posted by theMAG

Yup.

Jalsa777: When was the last time you left the car for service, and was the suspension given a once-over during that?

may be around 6 months back. It was regular service done at shaman motors.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lalvaz

Hey Jalsa, glad to know that you're safe. Scary accident indeed. Couple of questions.
How old is the Palio?
How many kms done?
Any previous accidents apart from the rear ending by the NHC?
You were taking a left turn, braked lightly, car turned right (180 deg), and banged into the concrete divider. Any inputs from the mechanics as to why the car would steer in the opposite direction even if the nut fell off? I mean, your front wheels are already pointing left, what could be the reason for them to turn right? Did you try to swerve right and away from something while you were trying to get control of the vehicle?

car was bought in Mar 2002.
Around 60k KMs done.

It went towards the left only.
I tried to correct it and it flicked.

Quote:

Originally Posted by snaronikar

And now the big question. Whatz the cost of repairs quoted by dealer ? I feel it may cost you a bomb...

I have given the car to Dadar Motor works.
Max cost would be around 50k.

The insurance will cover labour fully and parts partly.
So, cost to me would be within 25k

FERRO · 5th February 2009, 13:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by jalsa777

the was pulling to one side during braking. this started a day or two before the accident. i was supposed to get it showed to the mechanic, but...
..
..

can you please explain exactly why the car was pulling to one side during braking ? because it happened with my car previously when I changed the brakes then the mechanic did something to the setting and everything is fine now.

comet · 11th March 2009, 19:37

I jammed the brakes on the Optra first time driving it to avoid hitting the dog crossing the road on Chennai Highway to Pondy. The car was instantly turned to 180 degrees when i slightly made a left turn. Luckily i/it stopped on the shoulder of the road on the left near the edge. My brother later told me that cars are prone to left turns on heavy braking. Maybe heavy cars are just like that. A word of advice, never ever ignore tell tale signs of your car. It could cost your life. I learnt my lesson without mishap on my esteem for negligence for wobbling steering when a bolt was missing on a important part on the steering rod (front)under the body. Sorry for the long post..

22nd January 2009, 17:13	#1
jalsa777 BHPian Join Date: May 2006 Location: Mumbai Posts: 732 Thanked: 1,678 Times	Small Accident due to suspected suspension rod-end failure Hey guys, I met with a small accident 2 days ago. Luckily, I am absolutely safe, not even a bruise. Details Place: Near IMAX, Wadala, Mumbai. Car: Palio 1.2 Time: around 1330. speed: 50-60 kmph What Happened: I was taking a long left turn. As there was no car behind or in front of mine i was following the racing line (just the line, was not going fast, that corner can and has been easily taken at even 110 kmph). When i was at the apex, I saw a taxi had met with an accident and the police were attaching it to a towing van around 200 metres ahead. I braked ever so lightly, but suddenly, the rear came loose, i attempted to control it, but the car just flicked, i was just a passenger after this. The car did a 180 (clockwise) and banged into the tall concrete divider. Fortunately, i was slow, and nothing happened to me. The car has left rear suspension damage, and also left front suspension damage. No body panel was dented at all (very surprising) Why it happened: I did not happen due to the mid-corner braking because i was very slow for that corner, and the brakes were applied very gently. According to the mechanic who was near the scene and also my regular garage guy, The bolt connecting the lower front wishbone to the upright (hub) was missing. They think it was mechanical failure that lead to the accident. Also, the front left wheel was at an absurd angle, which could not have resulted from the impact. Attached Thumbnails
	() Thanks

22nd January 2009, 17:22	#2
emkay456 BHPian Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Mumbai Posts: 388 Thanked: 7 Times	It seems to be a nasty incident. Good to hear that you came out unscathed. Quite scary
	() Thanks

22nd January 2009, 18:50	#3
FERRO BHPian Join Date: May 2007 Location: Mumbai Posts: 313 Thanked: 2 Times	Good to hear you came out unharmed do keep us informed about what exactly went wrong in your palio.
	() Thanks

24th January 2009, 12:45	#6
BaCkSeAtDrIVeR BANNED Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Kochi Posts: 2,522 Thanked: 752 Times	I am sure that this could have not happened just like that. Was there any warning in handling? And simultaneous failures on front and rear?? What is the service history of the car? And are you on hit list of some underworld don? (Serious question)
	() Thanks

25th January 2009, 19:58	#9
Mpower Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Bangalore Posts: 10,409 Thanked: 1,730 Times View My Garage	THe bolt you describe is the ball joint connection. Definetly will cause you to lose control. The nut could have fallen out some time earlier and the during the turn the force would have popped out the ball joint bolt
	() Thanks

26th January 2009, 14:46	#11
Lalvaz Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Bombay Posts: 1,414 Thanked: 2,183 Times	Hey Jalsa, glad to know that you're safe. Scary accident indeed. Couple of questions. How old is the Palio? How many kms done? Any previous accidents apart from the rear ending by the NHC? You were taking a left turn, braked lightly, car turned right (180 deg), and banged into the concrete divider. Any inputs from the mechanics as to why the car would steer in the opposite direction even if the nut fell off? I mean, your front wheels are already pointing left, what could be the reason for them to turn right? Did you try to swerve right and away from something while you were trying to get control of the vehicle?
	() Thanks

26th January 2009, 14:54	#12
snaronikar Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Bengaluru Posts: 2,845 Thanked: 29 Times View My Garage	And now the big question. Whatz the cost of repairs quoted by dealer ? I feel it may cost you a bomb...
	() Thanks

11th March 2009, 19:37	#15
comet BHPian Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Karaikal Posts: 43 Thanked: 2 Times	I jammed the brakes on the Optra first time driving it to avoid hitting the dog crossing the road on Chennai Highway to Pondy. The car was instantly turned to 180 degrees when i slightly made a left turn. Luckily i/it stopped on the shoulder of the road on the left near the edge. My brother later told me that cars are prone to left turns on heavy braking. Maybe heavy cars are just like that. A word of advice, never ever ignore tell tale signs of your car. It could cost your life. I learnt my lesson without mishap on my esteem for negligence for wobbling steering when a bolt was missing on a important part on the steering rod (front)under the body. Sorry for the long post..
	() Thanks