Offset from Hell saved the VX ...

[tomdietrying]

Glad you are o.k. Sounds like your VX should be up and running in no time.
Peace.
Tom

[etlsport]

oh if its easier text the photos to my phone or e-mail, i can upload them for you

[Riff Raff]

Tom, are you sure it wasn't the offset from Hell that kept you from braking in time? Wait, I'm not RiffRaff! I bet if your VX wasn't yellow you wouldn't have been going as fast and you could have stopped. I do believe I have an extra tie rod thanks to Ascinder so shoot me a PM if you think you need a driver's side replacement - it's yours for the cost of shipping if you want it!

Now... if we are waiting for you to figure out how to work with images we may never see them.

x2 (Thanx ZEUS for the shout-out). Glad to hear you're OK, Tom. Remember to keep a generous "cushion of space" in your future travels.

[SuperBoomTurbo]

If the vx weren't such a blast to drive, I'd keep it I a glass jar and look at it on weekends. Good that you're okay, but it's the same reason I leave tons of space I front of me. Just kills me when people dart in front of me then slam on the brakes. "thanks jack*#%!! that space was there for a reason!!

My advice like the others: any time you break something, it's time to upgrade!! On the flip side, a weak tie rod may have saved your body certain doom.

** Just had a thought. Rather than putting vt mavercks bumper junker keeper on the back, have one protecting each axle, then one on both sides mounted to rock sliders, kinda like a go cart!

[djvx]

Tom, glad you are fine. Do you have ABS brakes? I'd like to know if ABS caused you a longer stop time - or- did not having ABS cause you any problems? It's sounds like you did a great manuver-alot better than bashing into the car in front of you at any rate.

[WormGod]

Pics.... or it didn't happen.

I dunno Tom. I might prefer a couple dinged up body panels to some undercarriage/suspension damage. I was there in my VX accident (no no, not the dragon.... RIP) and aside from waiting weeks for parts to be located (steering box was the worse), the price ended up coming to roughly $4k IIRC. Only a fender was damaged and the rest was the entire front driver side wheel/tire/suspension assembly.

Glad you are ok though. The VX can take a hell of a punch, but best not to test it's limits.

[Ldub]

Glad to hear no one was injured.

Tom, 2 things:

#1: Glad to hear that you are fine. A little shaken up, but good none the less.

#2: Those pics are going to be awesome! Can't wait to see them.

X 2...

Glad to hear you're OK Bro, I think I have both of my OEM tie rods if you need em'.

with the repairs....

[tom4bren]

x2 (Thanx ZEUS for the shout-out). Glad to hear you're OK, Tom. Remember to keep a generous "cushion of space" in your future travels.

Thanks for the concern Riff but don't kick a feller when he's down. There was a generous "cushion of space".

The combination of ABS, large tires & the trailer all conspired against me. I'm not shifting blame. It's obvious that I was following too close if I couldn't stop in time but it was definitely a case where my stopping distance was far more than I estimated rather than "being up someone's butt".

Before I do any more towing, I'll definitely be looking to upgrade the braking system (it's still completely stock). I'll be looking to put on SS brake lines but I haven't decided yet about upgraded rotors. I'll certainly look into it though.

FYI, the ABS works. I was able to maintain control (at least while all 4 tires were on the ground). I didn't leave any rubber on the road. IMHO, the stopping distance should have been much less though.

This should be a message to all VX owners though. Take your VX to an empty parking lot or road with no traffic & LEARN your stopping distance. Don't guess. This is particularly important if you drive several different cars on a regular basis. If you are going to be towing with the VX, learn that stopping distance as well.

Pixes: Still working on that. It's an LG phone which is an SOB to synch to the 'puter. I don't have texting on that phone so that's not gonna work either. I'll stop by ATT on my way home & see if they have any ideas. I'll warn you ahead of time though that the quality is gonna be bad, it looks like sun glints really messed up the images.

[tom4bren]

(steering box was the worse)

Gary,

Thanks for the warning. Unfortunately that appears to be one of the damaged components.

Tom

[RamAirZ]

I have a spare steering box here with pitman arm, not sure if it's good but it came with my VX

[tom4bren]

GTK - thanks, I'll let you know.

[Riff Raff]

Thanks for the concern Riff but don't kick a feller when he's down. There was a generous "cushion of space".

Tom, I believe you've misinterpreted my comment. Like the rest of the forum; I have only love and respect for you and by no means meant an increase of "cushion of space" to be in a negative limelight, but only as a possible safety measure. Things can happen very quickly in congested traffic and your quick reaction time helped save your VX from possible permanent doom and it prevented the Air-Bag system from being deployed (which insurance companies often use to justify a "total loss"). Thank you for your additional explaination of possible causes that may have contributed to your accident. We all appreciate your helpful advice and will use it to make us all safer drivers. I'm sure you will take the necessary steps to improve your own VX to make it an even more worthy vehicle. Above all, we are most grateful that you weren't injured and are OK. VX's can be repaired, but humans are a bit more fragile critters. Luv 'ya, Tom.

[tom4bren]

Riff - I prolly came across more cross than I was, sorry 'bout that.

[nfpgasmask]

Sorry to hear this, Tom, glad you avoided injury. So, maybe you just busted a tie-rod?

Bart

[djvx]

Tom,Thanks for the details! I had to lock up my brakes today, less than 24 hours after reading your thread. A driver 2 cars ahead made a ridiculous quick stop to turn, both the driver in front of me and me had to do a full on slam of the pedal. I did a complete lock up of my tires. I stopped very quickly. I'm currently running minus ABS. My tires let out brief howl as they nearly stopped my vx instantly. I went out on some gravel covered concrete to practice and I really am considering leaving my ABS off. It's such a tough decision- I have felt very uncomfortable with the ABS on in the past. I wish they made an easy on and off switch for it.