ATTN: all BG owners : an interesting ride

[Nate]

this comes after hitting a tree in the rally car on saturday. First trip out in the astina after returning home from syd-vagas, cruising down Rode Road, just crossed over gympie road (about 10 ks from home, road is dead straight), going about 60 - 70ks an hour and out of no where the rear end kicks out to the right (about 40 degrees), back wheels lock and up and smoke is pouring out everywhere. even with the wheel at full opposite lock i still cleaned up the gutter bearly missing (another) tree and a parked car!

so after a lot of swearing, checking underwear i get out to see my right rear wheel with about 20 degrees outward rear toe



got home (thank you ultra care road side assistance!!) an took the wheel off to find my forward control arm ...

SNAPPED IN TWO!!



you can see the rust on some of the break. this indicates there has been a crack there for some time, with it finally snapping right thru on tuesday, probably caused by the car hitting something at some stage and lots of hard cornering put more stress on the fracture. this is not the first time this has happened, ian experienced the same thing reversing out of the driveway!

So to all you bg owners (BA and BJ owners should check as well!!) get your car up on stands this weekend and check for cracks around stress points before you eat a tree / on coming car / little old lady crossing the street (50 points if you do )

all fixed now tho ... $35 from the wreckers

[AstinaBoiV6]

good 2 see everything is ok and that the car is up and running again.. yes check b4 u hurt yourself or any1 else on the road. if that would have happened in peak hour traffic it woulda been a disaster

[Nate]

well it still happened at a busy enough time ... its just lucky im a lead foot and beat the car next to me off the lights before the merge, and there were no cars coming on the opposite direction

[MAztinA 323]

looks like custom 4WS on a bg...... hehehe

[Mad Mat]

jesus man. bad luck i will have a look this weekend to see if i can find anything. but if i do. F$%K. that would make it more **** i have to bye for the car e.g. injectors, full engine clean out (air box, the lot), speedo cable. the list goes on. lol

[89sp1.8]

damn nicly done nato,i have brokwn the front ctrl arm,cv etc b4 but yet for the rear..u are one luck bastard! good to hear ur allright

[boostedbatman]

I am just glad that you werent on the last cruise cos there wouldn't be a happy ending

[twilightprotege]

damn! well far better there than a friday night run over nebo!

and dont go causing rubber smoke around my house pls

[Ian]

Yeah, as nate said, had the same thing happen to me, in a very similiar spot. Mine broke when there was alot of strain on it due to going down the driveway gutter backwards at an angle. I heard a large clunk, looked at my mate, asked him what that was, he shruged and we kept going. We didnt get too far. as soon as I put it in first and attempted to drive up the road, the car started a crabwalk effect... Turning it around and driving back up his driveway prooved a very noisy, smokey, funny-looking affair, as three wheels on the car wanted to crabwalk up the road (keep the car straight required 2/3'rds steer to one side) whereas one did not.

Its a cheap enough fix, 30 bucks for the part from a wreckers. Just inspect the part for rust or hairline fractures first. I dont know what mazda will charge for a brand new one, probobly an arm and a leg however.

for a funny, someone should remove both of theirs and go for a short drive with a video camera. It would be rather odd (and funny) watching a car driving along happily sideways taking up two lanes.

[shiv323]

Thats crazy. good to see are ok thought. thats all that realy matters

[Astro Boy]

She ain't no Lada!

[oh... fark.. when will these jokes ever end!?!?]

[mcwilly]

ur a crazy kid

[DrSilver]

mazda = quality = not!

Hope you`re okay after the indicent mate!

[Nate]

yeah im sweet thanks guys ... wont stop me going off like a frog in a sock

and yes im glad its not a lada too

[Mad Mat]

Originally Posted by Nate

yeah im sweet thanks guys ... wont stop me going off like a frog in a sock

and yes im glad its not a lada too

y. ladas are tanks. exept when they hit tree's. but if they still run than is still a tank.