Is it just my cold, or is the tire tread going in the wrong direction?

 

Damn.. you guys have some good eyes!

 

Looks like it's on backwards to me.

aguilars2k, I'm not calling you a liar.

However, I find it suspicious that there are no bright marks whatsoever on the trailing edge of the upper control arm, where one would expect to find metal-to-metal contact if the tie rod failed while the car was moving and the wheel suddenly pivoted 90+ degrees.

Secondly, the upper control arm has been snapped clean in two. That kind of failure would most likely be caused by the wheel being driven face first into a fixed object in plane with the lower control arm. A fixed object like, say a curb. Now, the problem with your story is, if the tie rod failed first, causing the accident, how on earth would the front wheel have been able to strike the curb face first?

Here's what I see - someone driving too fast for conditions plows into a curb. There is no damage to the trailing edge of the upper control arm, because it separated from the upright at the same relative time that the tie rod was broken - in the initial impact.

I'd be curious to se what the face side of that left front wheel looks like.

That's just my completely unprofessional opinion, as an engineer who spends part of his days studying how and why things break. However, I will be the first to admit that this a very limited analysis, based on a few pictures. I could be wrong, but my instincts tell me that the tie rod didn't just fail while he was driving harmlessly down the street.

 

Not only that, but the areas in the front bumper that are normally black plastic (the faux brake cooling ducts) are painted white.

 

And the bottom part of his rear bumper is painted white.. they come black on the bottom from the factory.

 

Nice observations guys. "Something is rotten in the state of Denmark".

 

Ok! Here's my spin on things. Aguilars2k, you just don't know how to drive very well. It's evident by the damage on both cars.

It is almost unheard of for a person to have two bad accidents in two weeks unless there is driver fault involved (meaning inexperience in driving, or with the type of car).

I would suggest that you voluntarily apply for several driving courses and get a tamer car next time. That is.. if you can afford it? Your insurance going to be quite pricey for an 18 yr. old. Call me and I will give you a figure that will absolutely blow your mind (972-985-5515).

There is no question that the S was slammed into a curb which snapped the tie rod. Are you sure that you weren't out there pushing the car over your experience limit, therefore losing the rear end and causing someone to hit you and the result was slamming into a curb?

An insurance adjuster is not going to buy your story about Caliber Collision doing a faulty job. Caliber Collision is a major shop with professional technicians. These shops all have QC (quality control). They cannot afford to let a car out of their shop with a faulty tie rod due to a previous accident or anything else for that matter (if inspected). They would have brought this to the attention of the owner if they had the car apart and noticed the the damage (even if it was unrelated to the accident). All cars are test driven before the owner takes possesion.

These shops have what is called products and completed operations liability. This insurance is very expensive for body shops and they just cannot afford to make mistakes.

Most all major shops are aligned with insurance companies so that they can get volume work. They compete to get these contracts by doing quality work in a timely manner and at a competitive price. They are regularly reviewed by insurance company quality control adjusters.

Aguilars2k, I sincerely hope that you read this and understand that I am talking from experience. I have been a property and casualty insurance agent with a major insurance company for 25 years. I have seen and heard almost everything.

My last bit of advise to you is slow down and be a safe driver (drive defensively). If you choose to purchase another car and trick it out, come out to some autocross schools and learn about your car and then get involved in autocross racing so that you can push the car to your and its limits under a controlled environment where the chances of doing major damage to you or the car are greatly diminished.

My Sincere Best Wishes to You,

60N5.5

 

So my question... which may be unrelated to the accident.... but...

Shouldn't caliber have noticed the wheels were on the wrong side of the vehicle? That is... if they didn't install it like that themselves.

 

I can't imagine that Caliber would have put the tires in the wrong position. Mechanics are not tire experts. However, they usually send the car to an alignment guy who know more about tires.

I still contend that driving safely and defensively would not have caused this problem.

If it was my car, I would have probably noticed right off that the car was pulling or acting a little strange within the first mile after leaving the shop. I also don't drive with the stereo at over 120db and with a cell phone stuck in my ear, or trying to read text messages while driving.

It all boils down to knowing your car and your driving capability.

 

[QUOTE=altiain,Dec 19 2005, 10:50 PM]Secondly, the upper control arm has been snapped clean in two. That kind of failure would most likely be caused by the wheel being driven face first