bummer

[perelaar]

While scouting new fishing spots with my cousin, I hit a large rock with the car. Luckily not at speed, but things are not looking very good.
It still drives (2wd and 4wd), but without lifting it I could see a smashed exhaust, damaged cross member, damaged front propshaft, and scratches all over. Makes a heck of a noise as well, hopefully only the exhaust. No leaks of any kind.

Strangely the front bash plate is undamaged - but then it was a bumpy stretch.

Now I wonder who would hide a large rock in the middle of a grassy lane...
Note: we had full rights to be driving there, and were not at all going fast, 15mph max as we were looking out on the river.

Jacking the car up tonight, wish me luck. Also because Mrs perelaar does not yet know :doh

 

[don simon]

Now I wonder who would hide a large rock in the middle of a grassy lane...

That'll be that God bloke, he's got a strange sense of humour mind!
Good luck with the damage & hope repairs are minimal.

 

[perelaar]

So, the verdict, front to back:
- Front passenger side (lhd) outer CV boot torn - no idea if CV itself is knackered.
- Front passenger side (lhd) upper suspension ball joint seems "out of joint", driver side upper ball joint rubber is torn
- Front propshaft dented, but no oil leaks, turns without problems
- Middle crossmember dented
- Exhaust rear muffler crushed - no big deal since exhaust needed replacement anyway

Could be worse I presume, but I'm not happy. Especially regarding the CV joints, no idea if I'm up to doing those myself...

 

[Banshee]

If you struggle for bits let me know, I should be able to source everything you need, I'll do it you dirt cheap because I know the postage will be sillyness to Belgium, you'll sort it mate

It could have been a lot worse, glad you and the care are relatively unscathed

 

[perelaar]

Banshee, you just earned major Belgian beers
As for parts, right now I'm looking at a cv joint boot, suspension upper ball joints, LHD steering idler, tie rod ends and part of the exhaust system.
For exhaust, I'll check price locally tomorrow. I already know the other parts are about double the UK price.

Milner's postage seems to be £14 for the above (without exhaust).
Big question though is the state of the CV - boot is torn, but no idea how to check the state of the thing...

 

[AlexD333]

Look for grit or similar inside the cv... Difficult to do until it's off, but if boot is off it will be contaminated :thumb2

 

[perelaar]

Can it be cleaned? Had a look (boot is split in half almost), no grit to be seen, but the grease still there is rather dark.