Lesson learned
05-31-2008, 09:32 PM
#1
Lesson learned
Well, I had been having trouble with my brakes for about a week. I could tell the fronts weren't working quite as they should. I figured master cylinder. I decided I would wait until payday to change it. Come Friday, payday, and I'm on my way to work. I'm cruising down the expressway and get off at an exit. Down the ramp and step on the brakes-nothing (I will find out later the rear hard line rusted through and burst). I start to pump and fly through the toll at about 40. I'm headed for 2 lanes of cars and decide to go off road. Still pumping, down to about 30, I slam the curb and then see a man collecting cans in front of me. Now my only option is head-on into a pole, but thank God he hears me hit the curb and dives out of the way. Hitting the curb probably slowed me to about 20 now and instead of head on I try to swerve between 2 staggered poles. The truck makes it in between but the utility trailer I am pulling clips the pole and brings me to a stop. The man I almost hit comes to my window and asks "Are you okay?" Am I okay? Are you okay? I almost ran you over! Now to assess the damage. Bent axle, bent u-bolts, broken leaf spring pin, squashed fender, and destroyed rim. Moral of the story: do not drive if you are unsure of your brakes! I should find that guy and buy him a new pair of underwear.
05-31-2008, 09:39 PM
#2
workin for parts!!!
words to live by!!! glad everyone is unhurt. hope the truck gets up and running soon. never mind his tighty-whitey's, how bout yours? haha. sounds like some fancy driving to avoid everything but the pole.
06-01-2008, 05:54 AM
#5
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morning Sean,
I am glad to hear that everyone is fine.
Not something that I would regularly do, but you never thought about putting your emergency brake to the floor? In the heat of the moment, I know that a person very rarely thinks straight. You did sound like you were trying to avoid all the obstacles and not kill anyone. Thumbs up to your for that!
Also, I might have thought about putting the vehicle into reverse. Although you don't want to put it in Park. Then again, you could have done substantial damage to your tranny. I have done this while the vehicle is on ice. The vehicle still plowed into the snow bank.
The only problem with putting your emergency brake on, the **** of the vehicle is going to swing like mad and is going to make a hell of a screach as the tires are locked up solid.
At least you have a good story to tell your grandkids some day.
Mitch
I am glad to hear that everyone is fine.
Not something that I would regularly do, but you never thought about putting your emergency brake to the floor? In the heat of the moment, I know that a person very rarely thinks straight. You did sound like you were trying to avoid all the obstacles and not kill anyone. Thumbs up to your for that!
Also, I might have thought about putting the vehicle into reverse. Although you don't want to put it in Park. Then again, you could have done substantial damage to your tranny. I have done this while the vehicle is on ice. The vehicle still plowed into the snow bank.
The only problem with putting your emergency brake on, the **** of the vehicle is going to swing like mad and is going to make a hell of a screach as the tires are locked up solid.
At least you have a good story to tell your grandkids some day.
Mitch
06-01-2008, 11:47 PM
#6
Always kept the emergency brake in mind during normal driving, but when "it" went down I didn't even think of it. At first I was trying to push the brake pedal through the floor until I remembered to pump. As far as reverse, I've never been able to put a manual in reverse while going forward that fast. Too many things run through your head in that kind of situation, just happy I didn't kill anyone.
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06-02-2008, 07:11 AM
#8
Resident A-hole
Newer Autos will not go into reverse either.. I am glad everyone is ok.. I had the EXACT same thing happen on the Mustang.. I ended up downshifting to first (automatic tranny) and pulling the E-brake. took alot longer than the real brakes but once it dropped to 35 it slowed quick.
06-02-2008, 08:09 PM
#9
Just an update here. I was driving to work this morning about 60 MPH and the truck started shaking badly. Started to pull over to check it out and at about 20 MPH the front tire peels. Guess that curb check separated the belts. Too bad, I just got that tire. Decided to check out the tie rods, etc. while I was down there. I don't need any more of those kind of high speed surprises.
