Miata List Archive

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Mail From: mywong23 (mike wong)

Was driving on section of freeway being repaved. Approached an offramp @ 50 mph when I hit a ridge where asphalt joins with concrete. the asphalt had been dug down a few inches in prep for new layer. Some apshalt patch was put in to be a ramp - transitioning the height difference. however traffic had tamped the patch down, exposing the edge of the concrete :(

So it was like hitting a concrete 2x4 at 50 mph. I have fairly stiff sidewalls on S-03 195/50x15 on STO wheels and firm suspension - Konis on FM springs. Upon impact, there was a loud thud; followed immediately by tire rubbing sounds. Initial thought was a tire blowout. But as I followed the curving offramp, heard rubbing from both sides - double blowout?? maybe broken shocks? I was able to steer and parked at intersection at end of offramp. Inner fenderliners were resting on tires :(

Called road service for a tow home. Jacked up the front end, removed tires and discovered the upper ball joints sticking up thru the upper control arms! Koni spring perch C clips popped out and bent out of shape. so car is not supported by springs currently. Hmmm, not sure what is holding body up; as shocks aren't collapsed. Didn't spot any other obvious damage to lower control arms, tie rods. one frame rail has a new 3" scrape...

Read that a new upper arm comes with new ball joint and bushings. So I'm hoping normal wrenches will enable R&R??? unless that castellated nut and ball joint become stubborn to loosen.

possible that wheels are bent, too. and need to find out who can check out shocks.

any other things for me to do ?

re installation: just tap or pound in the ball joint?
how much torque to tighten that nut?
wheel alignment will be done.

tia,

mike wong
94 white (broken)




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Mail From: miata (Ken Bogart)

That sucks!

Is there enough damage for an insurance claim?

KEN


On 9/16/07, mike wong <mywong23 at yahoo.com> wrote:
> Was driving on section of freeway being repaved. Approached an offramp @ 50
> mph when I hit a ridge where asphalt joins with concrete. the asphalt had
> been dug down a few inches in prep for new layer. Some apshalt patch was
> put in to be a ramp - transitioning the height difference. however traffic
> had tamped the patch down, exposing the edge of the concrete :(
>
> So it was like hitting a concrete 2x4 at 50 mph. I have fairly stiff
> sidewalls on S-03 195/50x15 on STO wheels and firm suspension - Konis on FM
> springs. Upon impact, there was a loud thud; followed immediately by tire
> rubbing sounds. Initial thought was a tire blowout. But as I followed the
> curving offramp, heard rubbing from both sides - double blowout?? maybe
> broken shocks? I was able to steer and parked at intersection at end of
> offramp. Inner fenderliners were resting on tires :(
>
> Called road service for a tow home. Jacked up the front end, removed tires
> and discovered the upper ball joints sticking up thru the upper control
> arms! Koni spring perch C clips popped out and bent out of shape. so car
> is not supported by springs currently. Hmmm, not sure what is holding body
> up; as shocks aren't collapsed. Didn't spot any other obvious damage to
> lower control arms, tie rods. one frame rail has a new 3" scrape...
>
> Read that a new upper arm comes with new ball joint and bushings. So I'm
> hoping normal wrenches will enable R&R??? unless that castellated nut and
> ball joint become stubborn to loosen.
>
> possible that wheels are bent, too. and need to find out who can check out
> shocks.
>
> any other things for me to do ?
>
> re installation: just tap or pound in the ball joint?
> how much torque to tighten that nut?
> wheel alignment will be done.
>
> tia,
>
> mike wong
> 94 white (broken)
>
>
>
> ________________________________
> Check out the hottest 2008 models today at Yahoo! Autos.
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Miata mailing list
> Miata at list.realbig.com
> list.realbig.com/mailman/listinfo/miata
>
>

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Mail From: rsj (rsj)


On Sep 16, 2007, at 11:42 AM, mike wong wrote:

> Was driving on section of freeway being repaved. Approached an
> offramp @ 50 mph when I hit a ridge where asphalt joins with
> concrete. the asphalt had been dug down a few inches in prep for
> new layer. Some apshalt patch was put in to be a ramp -
> transitioning the height difference. however traffic had tamped
> the patch down, exposing the edge of the concrete :(
>
>

File a claim with your state DOT for the repair of the car. I did
this when I hit a minor pothole and bent the rim on a motorcycle. I
filed the claim and they paid for a new rim, tire, and all labor.


Robert

95 Red Miata
05 S2R Dark
04 FZ6

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Mail From: keith (Keith Tanner)

I agree with the other comments, the owner of the road is liable for
that sort of damage. Actually, I think it's the contractor doing the
work, I can confirm that tonight.

As for repair, a new upper arm is required. That ball joint is not
considered a serviceable item. You can simply bolt a new one in and
don't even require an alignment, although I would certainly have one
done after that accident. The stud from the ball joint is tapered and
you might need a pickle fork to get the old joint out.

The car is currently being supported by the shock on the bumpstop, I
expect. Either that or it's the upper arm binding up. It should be the
former unless you've been monkeying around with various upper mounts.
If it is the upper arm binding, that would explain the broken ball
joint. That isn't designed to support the weight of the car.

Keith

On 9/16/07, mike wong <mywong23 at yahoo.com> wrote:
> Was driving on section of freeway being repaved. Approached an offramp @ 50
> mph when I hit a ridge where asphalt joins with concrete. the asphalt had
> been dug down a few inches in prep for new layer. Some apshalt patch was
> put in to be a ramp - transitioning the height difference. however traffic
> had tamped the patch down, exposing the edge of the concrete :(
>
> So it was like hitting a concrete 2x4 at 50 mph. I have fairly stiff
> sidewalls on S-03 195/50x15 on STO wheels and firm suspension - Konis on FM
> springs. Upon impact, there was a loud thud; followed immediately by tire
> rubbing sounds. Initial thought was a tire blowout. But as I followed the
> curving offramp, heard rubbing from both sides - double blowout?? maybe
> broken shocks? I was able to steer and parked at intersection at end of
> offramp. Inner fenderliners were resting on tires :(
>
> Called road service for a tow home. Jacked up the front end, removed tires
> and discovered the upper ball joints sticking up thru the upper control
> arms! Koni spring perch C clips popped out and bent out of shape. so car
> is not supported by springs currently. Hmmm, not sure what is holding body
> up; as shocks aren't collapsed. Didn't spot any other obvious damage to
> lower control arms, tie rods. one frame rail has a new 3" scrape...
>
> Read that a new upper arm comes with new ball joint and bushings. So I'm
> hoping normal wrenches will enable R&R??? unless that castellated nut and
> ball joint become stubborn to loosen.
>
> possible that wheels are bent, too. and need to find out who can check out
> shocks.
>
> any other things for me to do ?
>
> re installation: just tap or pound in the ball joint?
> how much torque to tighten that nut?
> wheel alignment will be done.
>
> tia,
>
> mike wong
> 94 white (broken)
>
>
>
> ________________________________
> Check out the hottest 2008 models today at Yahoo! Autos.
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Miata mailing list
> Miata at list.realbig.com
> list.realbig.com/mailman/listinfo/miata
>
>