What To Watch Out For After Accident Repair

February 25, 2009

Hi

Had a recent accident, my drivers side corner/bumper area went into another car at 30mph (braking) into their passenger rear wheel area (they cut infront of me etc). Damage to me was bumper, light, wing. also washer bottle in engine compartment cracked (probably as wing crumpled in), also chasis was bent according to repairer - they had to use jig to sort out. he said also steering was to one side, but now ok after tracking & jig work etc. also said replaced abs wiring (?why)

Had it repaired, generally look good, and seems ok.

However bit worried, in case will not handle the same. Used to be able to feel bumps over sleepers with front wheels, but now seems much softer (but might be imagination, as had car back after 10 days). Also tried to brake sharply on dry solid road, and abs didnt kick in (does it always kick in, or only if required - road was good and dry)

also think steering wheel turns towards drivers side while going straight (again could be imagination, and road had slight camber)

Anway, what things should i keep a look out for, any warning signs etc

February 25, 2009

Also tried to brake sharply on dry solid road, and abs didnt kick in (does it always kick in, or only if required - road was good and dry)

ABS should only kick in when needed. On a dry road you shouldn't need it. Did your wheels lock up at all? That is the reason for ABS, to stop your wheels locking under breaking. If your wheels locked and you skidded then your ABS is faulty, otherwise it sounds fine.

If your are unsure about your wheel alignment etc take it to an independent tyre place and ask the to check your tracking.

February 25, 2009

It must have taken a fair wallop to need jigging!

The ABS wiring to the sensor must have taken a bash, it is easily ripped off in a bump directly to the wheel area

If the car handles and drives OK it has probably had a good repair done, you said the steering was to one side, so it must have been checked/sorted after the repair was done. ABS should only work when you try and lock the wheels up as said above, try it again on a gravely road or in the wet, TAKE CARE when testing it out, it can be done at fairly low speed, you dont want to damage it again by losing it in the wet!

Kingo :thumbsup:

February 28, 2009

Thanks for feedback

re accident, as I was veering off to a slightly left turning (rather than at 90 deg), then probably I did not need to slow as much as usual, so when the car turned right infront of me, probably did hit hard, even thought was braking when i saw it do that, and abs kicked in). and perhaps where I hit him (in his rear passeger wheel area) was probably a hard place, with no crumple zone/give in it. Also, maybe as I hit with my corner, then the force was focused there rather than along the whole bumper etc. Dont know much about jig, but could be just needed jig re 'front-panel' of chasis??

Just noticed a slight 'pinch' on top-edge of wing (adjoining the bonnet) mid-way along, didnt notice it before i took car way from garage-hopefully it is not a sign of the chassis creaking/falling apart! Might just be due to panel-fitting/welding in place

Yes he did do the tracking and things and then gave me the car, and said was ok after this.

Car drives fine, just been to birmingham. no shake in steering. Car doesnt veer right or anything (usually cars are set to veer left slightly, in case you have a heart attack at the wheel!). Just I feel maybe steering wheel isnt dead-level when going straight (but could be my imagination too, plus most roads camber anyway. Might be no more than .25 of a degree if anything?)

One thing re handling is it feels 'dead' in terms of steering wheel when in the central position. - again maybe my imagination, as maybe just usual free-play.

What I need to do is to test it to my usual driving habits to restore my faith that it wont all fall apart & is handling ok !!

Thanks again