Subaru Bizarre AWD Failure in Accident

[Bob S]

Really pleased you're ok David. You never know with any vehicle.
Subaru do have a good reputation for being tough.
I was thinking about getting one. Makes me wonder.
Maybe we should drive tanks.
Be safe.

[matt h]

(deleted)

[David Root]

There was no front end body damage, just the steering linkage failure. Front driver's side quarterpanel and drivers's side door got creased pretty bad though.

The body metal is much thinner than my previous car ('98 Trans-Am) and the brakes of course are nowhere near as good.

[KellyBass]

Wow! .....and I mean, wow! This very morning I drove my suby WRX up on the ramps preparing for a 4 corner shock/strut job. This event shines a whole different light on this project. I'm gonna have to skip the cold ones until after the job is well done...and double checked by more a more experienced set of eyes. Maybe i should stick to a safer pastime. Like tube amp power supplies...!

I agree totally...thank the good Lord that this happened to you in a parking lot and not at speed!! The story of the little girl is awful...as yours could have been.

Subaru AWD systems are different animals, no doubt. But, man do they work well. I LOVE my Subaru...but after hearing your account, I'm gonna get into the habit of carefully inspecting the undercarriage after any spirited rallying. Or any traffic mishaps.

Thank you very much for sharing this, David!

[10thTx]

I got a 2006 Forester and have been really happy with it. Looks like it's new. Main complaint I have is the sunvisor is waayy too small and is inadequate. Only gets about 24-27 mpg also.

with respect, 10thtx

[Leo_Gnardo]

Maybe we should drive tanks.

Tanks get gallons per mile ratings. Better have a big fuel budget.

[Structo]

Tie rod(s)?

Yes as was mentioned, you are very lucky this did not happen on the road.

In 1992 had a new clutch installed in a 87 VW Golf.
I didn't have the time to do it so I called around.
The cheapest guy wanted $400 for the job and $450 if the flywheel needed resurfacing.
Guess which I was charged for...

So I get home and look under the hood and the bolts holding the axles to the transmission were all loose, finger loose.
They never tightened/ torqued them!

A few days later I drove my girlfriend and her mother about 40 miles away and I noticed a small clunking noise
and when I braked, the front would shimmy just a bit.
I looked at the tie rod ends and was loose on the drivers side.

Man if that tie rod had come off when at highway speed, I can only imagine.

MOTTO: Don't always go for the cheapest bid on anything.

[drew]

There was no front end body damage, just the steering linkage failure. Front driver's side quarterpanel and drivers's side door got creased pretty bad though.

Did your car move in an arc when you accidentally hit the gas? Is it possible that one of your front wheels broadsided the curb that surrounds the gas pumps?

[Phil_S]

So sorry for your misfortune, but it is only property. That makes it easy to get past it.

Just remember what the guys on Car Talk say (or used to say). "All the other parts in your car or used." You don't need to buy new parts. Do yourself a favor though, I don't think this is a DIY job.

[Cantplay]

Popped tie rods due to trying to push immovable object are a distinct possibility.

Pull a wheel, it should be easy enough to spot. If you can't tell, post a pic and I'll know.

John

[David Root]

You're right, I visited the shop this morning and that's what happened. They order the body parts today and with any luck I'll have it back a week from now.

Driving a rental which my insurance covers.

Wondering how much that will go up next year!

[Regan]

Well, look at the bright side David, you don't have the GVRD charges anymore so your insurance will drop a bit that way
Regan