Road raged Corolla; help me out guys.
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Road raged Corolla; help me out guys.
I got into an accident today and need help with some suspension parts / figuring out the damage.
So I'm minding my own business talking on the cell phone going speed limit when some Corolla decides to tailgate me real close. The car quickly changes to the right lane then starts to cut me off when he has half a car length on me. There was no cars ahead so I got pissed off and I also thought he/she had made contact with my front bumper. So I put the phone down, switch lanes and try to get next to this person. I was half a car length away from being even with the car when he/she suddenly tries to cut me off again in an attempt to force me off the road. Well , he/she succeeded. I couldn't slow down fast enough and had no choice but to hit a nice big rock. I ended up skidding a little. He/she came to a stop to avoid me. The Corolla floored it and took off as soon as I came to a stop. I followed the car the best I could but lost him because of red lights.
Now on the damage:
My fuse box is just dangling now because the shock of the rock broke apart the plastics pieces that hold down the fuse box. Just to show how hard I hit the rock.
This is from the passenger side. It's ripped. Do I need to get a new one or is it normal?

AND THIS IS MY BIGGEST PROBLEM
I had clicking noises when turning the wheel after the ordeal. I searched the site and figured out its the springs. Tightening the 3 bolts on top fixed it.
But my left and right aren't the same anymore. Can someone tell me which is good/bad, the problem, and if I really need to replace it?
This is the drivers side.
This is the passenger side, the side that hit the rock.
And of course, the rim damage.
Thanks for the help.
So I'm minding my own business talking on the cell phone going speed limit when some Corolla decides to tailgate me real close. The car quickly changes to the right lane then starts to cut me off when he has half a car length on me. There was no cars ahead so I got pissed off and I also thought he/she had made contact with my front bumper. So I put the phone down, switch lanes and try to get next to this person. I was half a car length away from being even with the car when he/she suddenly tries to cut me off again in an attempt to force me off the road. Well , he/she succeeded. I couldn't slow down fast enough and had no choice but to hit a nice big rock. I ended up skidding a little. He/she came to a stop to avoid me. The Corolla floored it and took off as soon as I came to a stop. I followed the car the best I could but lost him because of red lights.
Now on the damage:
My fuse box is just dangling now because the shock of the rock broke apart the plastics pieces that hold down the fuse box. Just to show how hard I hit the rock.
This is from the passenger side. It's ripped. Do I need to get a new one or is it normal?
AND THIS IS MY BIGGEST PROBLEM
I had clicking noises when turning the wheel after the ordeal. I searched the site and figured out its the springs. Tightening the 3 bolts on top fixed it.
But my left and right aren't the same anymore. Can someone tell me which is good/bad, the problem, and if I really need to replace it?
This is the drivers side.
This is the passenger side, the side that hit the rock.
And of course, the rim damage.
Thanks for the help.
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that is so messed up.... its over now and i guess its reaction to avoid the hit, but i guess its better to get hit so the other person has to stop......
fuse box you can live with i guess, you can fix that somehow, glue, tape, as far as suspension, might have to bring it into a shop, guessing you rather do it yourself... but it could be anything since its something you can't see......
as for the rim, i believe there are rim shops that can fix that
fuse box you can live with i guess, you can fix that somehow, glue, tape, as far as suspension, might have to bring it into a shop, guessing you rather do it yourself... but it could be anything since its something you can't see......
as for the rim, i believe there are rim shops that can fix that
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The main problem is the difference between the driver and passenger suspension. Do you notice the rubber bump stop? I think thats what it is. The drivers and passenger side are resting in different locations. Does it look like its ruined?
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Yeah I never was able to get his plate #, he ran off real quick.
I should of got it down when I was chasing him.
But I am going to file a police report.
Can't go to insurance because damage isn't worth the bump in my premium.
I should of got it down when I was chasing him.
But I am going to file a police report.
Can't go to insurance because damage isn't worth the bump in my premium.
damn, that sucks, I would've been so upset. Hopefully you some how find out who it is so he/she can get whats comming to him. Maybe see him/her on the road again, get the plates and do what you gotta do.
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^^Its a white stock late 90's Corolla. The gen. right b4 the current one.
lol, they're all over the road! Impossible to find. But the reckless driving should give it away. =)
lol, they're all over the road! Impossible to find. But the reckless driving should give it away. =)
shitty beans man. hope you get everything up and running again.
ps- i hope you run into(not literally, and sorry, pun not intended)buddy in the corolla. maybe get to know him a little better
ps- i hope you run into(not literally, and sorry, pun not intended)buddy in the corolla. maybe get to know him a little better
Last edited by cvcpwr2k2; Dec 2, 2003 at 01:43 AM.
I have an idea of putting a video camera somewhere behind (but inside) the car, so that any car that floows me too close will be videotaped, or digitally recorded.
If nothing hapen then, I would just discard the recording, but in your case, he wold be in trouble, you can actually sue him for intentionally action leads to death, or human ****tring.
If nothing hapen then, I would just discard the recording, but in your case, he wold be in trouble, you can actually sue him for intentionally action leads to death, or human ****tring.
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Sadly your gut reation to slam on the brakes and swerve were precicely the wrong thing to to. If the other car would have hit you then insurance would have blamed them and fixed it. Now that you didnt get hit, it is now all your falt (At least thats how your insurance will see it).
Now for the repair.......
Looks like the strut was bottomed out, if it was then the strut will most likely be blown and then there is the possibility of Crowning the strut tower (Which is REALLY bad). To check for that is relitivly simple, Just look at the studs. they should all be paralell (Pointing in the same direction). If they are not then the car is going to need a frame pull go get it back to spec. (Get a shot of the top of both shock towers, and I might be able to see). also, the control arm bushing will need to be replaced (Its torn to Krap) I suggest Energy suspension Polyeurithane bushings if you dont want stock (The fronts are baout $40 and you will need them to be pressed in). Also with hiting a rock, there is the possibility that you bent the lower control arm.
I would Highly reccomend going to a body shop and having them check it out. (and Prey that none of the more serious problems exzist, or you are going to wish that the corolla had hit you).
Good luck with all that
Now for the repair.......
Looks like the strut was bottomed out, if it was then the strut will most likely be blown and then there is the possibility of Crowning the strut tower (Which is REALLY bad). To check for that is relitivly simple, Just look at the studs. they should all be paralell (Pointing in the same direction). If they are not then the car is going to need a frame pull go get it back to spec. (Get a shot of the top of both shock towers, and I might be able to see). also, the control arm bushing will need to be replaced (Its torn to Krap) I suggest Energy suspension Polyeurithane bushings if you dont want stock (The fronts are baout $40 and you will need them to be pressed in). Also with hiting a rock, there is the possibility that you bent the lower control arm.
I would Highly reccomend going to a body shop and having them check it out. (and Prey that none of the more serious problems exzist, or you are going to wish that the corolla had hit you).
Good luck with all that
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Thank you so much for the help Zzyzx.
I still do wonder whether I did the right thing or if I should of had the Corolla hit me.
I'll take some pics after work (I'm on break right now) so maybe you can help me b4 I go to a body shop.
I had no choice but to get new tires for my stock 14" steelies. I got some Falken Ziex 502s in 195/65/14 until I can fix the rim.
BTW, I have to turn the wheel 45degrees to my right for my car to drive straight. The misalignment is really noticeable from outside.
I also get knocking noises, 2-3 times each turn of the wheel.
I think your right about the strut crowning. My strut bar wont come off so yeah I think its not parrallel anymore.
The bushing I'll replace soon.
I see no visible damage on the car. Nothing bent or snapped.
Well, I'm really worried because the tire money = xmas presents for others. Ill get those pics around midnight tonight, when I get home.
I still do wonder whether I did the right thing or if I should of had the Corolla hit me.
I'll take some pics after work (I'm on break right now) so maybe you can help me b4 I go to a body shop.
I had no choice but to get new tires for my stock 14" steelies. I got some Falken Ziex 502s in 195/65/14 until I can fix the rim.
BTW, I have to turn the wheel 45degrees to my right for my car to drive straight. The misalignment is really noticeable from outside.
I also get knocking noises, 2-3 times each turn of the wheel.
I think your right about the strut crowning. My strut bar wont come off so yeah I think its not parrallel anymore.
The bushing I'll replace soon.
I see no visible damage on the car. Nothing bent or snapped.
Well, I'm really worried because the tire money = xmas presents for others. Ill get those pics around midnight tonight, when I get home.
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Sorry to hear. Even if you took the hit, I bet the corolla would have drove off anyway. I would have been flooring it right after him through red lights if I had to. That's messed up.
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I'm sorry this happened to you. My advise would be take it to a body shop to get an estimate. If the body of the car is bent in any way you could still have problems with a replaced suspension.
Road rage is a bad thing. I almost spent a year in jail because I was blamed of being an aggressive driver. If nothing else, I have learned to let things slide a little more and just let people go. Sometimes when I get pissed off I'll just pull off the road, cool off and let the other person get way ahead of me and out of my way.
Road rage is a bad thing. I almost spent a year in jail because I was blamed of being an aggressive driver. If nothing else, I have learned to let things slide a little more and just let people go. Sometimes when I get pissed off I'll just pull off the road, cool off and let the other person get way ahead of me and out of my way.
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i'm not advocating doing anything stupid, but if finding his car does you any good...
consider that odds are good that he travels this road a lot (i don't drive crazy unless i know the cops/area). this is likely on his way to work. he probably drives that route many days each week about the same time of day. just a thought...
consider that odds are good that he travels this road a lot (i don't drive crazy unless i know the cops/area). this is likely on his way to work. he probably drives that route many days each week about the same time of day. just a thought...
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^^Well I dont even know if its a she or a he.
Its could be a route the person takes everyday, but it can also be stupid kids + car = danger.
I'm really **** when it comes to cars and their little things. Like I would recognize that local Civic with the NOS sticker on his driver side from a mile away. But a stock car is impossible to find! Especially if you don't even remember the driver. The way the car was driven it had to be a dumb male teen who just got his license.
Clownprince, most of the time I let the car go too because I would rather not get involved, but this one was too close of a call for me to let go.
Promised pics in a bit.
Its could be a route the person takes everyday, but it can also be stupid kids + car = danger.
I'm really **** when it comes to cars and their little things. Like I would recognize that local Civic with the NOS sticker on his driver side from a mile away. But a stock car is impossible to find! Especially if you don't even remember the driver. The way the car was driven it had to be a dumb male teen who just got his license.
Clownprince, most of the time I let the car go too because I would rather not get involved, but this one was too close of a call for me to let go.
Promised pics in a bit.
HOW DO YOU LET SOMEONE RUN YOU OFF THE ROAD???? YOU SHOULD HAVE PUT THE PEDAL TO THE METAL AND FLOORED IT INSTEAD OF TRYING TO AVOID THE GUY/GIRL. BUT IN REPONSE TO YOUR QUESTION I THINK YOU SHOULD TAKE IT TO HONDA AND IT A FREE ESTIMATE ON WHAT NEEDS TO BE FIXED, THEN ONCE YOU HAVE THE INFO BUY ALL THE AFTERMARKET PARTS YOURSELF INSTEAD OF LETTING HONDA DO THE WORK
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Originally posted by Novaz3
HOW DO YOU LET SOMEONE RUN YOU OFF THE ROAD???? YOU SHOULD HAVE PUT THE PEDAL TO THE METAL AND FLOORED IT INSTEAD OF TRYING TO AVOID THE GUY/GIRL. BUT IN REPONSE TO YOUR QUESTION I THINK YOU SHOULD TAKE IT TO HONDA AND IT A FREE ESTIMATE ON WHAT NEEDS TO BE FIXED, THEN ONCE YOU HAVE THE INFO BUY ALL THE AFTERMARKET PARTS YOURSELF INSTEAD OF LETTING HONDA DO THE WORK
HOW DO YOU LET SOMEONE RUN YOU OFF THE ROAD???? YOU SHOULD HAVE PUT THE PEDAL TO THE METAL AND FLOORED IT INSTEAD OF TRYING TO AVOID THE GUY/GIRL. BUT IN REPONSE TO YOUR QUESTION I THINK YOU SHOULD TAKE IT TO HONDA AND IT A FREE ESTIMATE ON WHAT NEEDS TO BE FIXED, THEN ONCE YOU HAVE THE INFO BUY ALL THE AFTERMARKET PARTS YOURSELF INSTEAD OF LETTING HONDA DO THE WORK
I drew up a picture to show you that part of the incident.
BTW, Honda dealership gives free estimates??? I've never heard those words used in the same sentence before. Dealership charges up the **** rates just to have it looked at. This is the main reason I can't go to Honda. Can you explain more about this free estimate?
Of course I'll be doing my own repairs to save money, but if it involves the frame pulling procedure like Zzyzx mentioned. I'm
Also, does anyone know of a way how I can get this fixed through warranty? Only mods I had on when it happened was the rims and strut bars. I have stock rims on now and I can try to take the strut bars off.
Thanks
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Originally posted by infinite012
^^ Why Must You Use Caps on Almost Every Single Freakin Word of Your Sentences?!
^^ Why Must You Use Caps on Almost Every Single Freakin Word of Your Sentences?!
anyways... sorry about what happened man, i had a similar situation a few days ago... i was making a left into the freeway on the green arrow and the guy ran the red light and nicked the corner of my bumper... i exited to check for damage and i came back and of course he was gone...



