oh man not good
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 318
Likes: 0
From: Cape Coral FL
oh man not good
ok so i was driving my car to work and went to the first repair job i had to do then drove to the other job my dad was working on and helping him finish up and what do ya know as we where ready to leave i was pulling out and turning the wheel and it sounded bad so i flaged my dad down before he took off and i was like u hear that so i turn the steering wheel back the other way and the rod broke straight off the frame like its rusted pretty bad how much do u think this would cost and how bad is it or not that bad? by the way it broke off on the driver side 
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
Originally Posted by whoodiestyle
ok so i was driving my car to work and went to the first repair job i had to do then drove to the other job my dad was working on and helping him finish up and what do ya know as we where ready to leave i was pulling out and turning the wheel and it sounded bad so i flaged my dad down before he took off and i was like u hear that so i turn the steering wheel back the other way and the rod broke straight off the frame like its rusted pretty bad how much do u think this would cost and how bad is it or not that bad? by the way it broke off on the driver side
Calm down, slow down, and explain what rod, and where it broke. Pics would be good if you're having trouble explaining the part tht snapped.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,438
Likes: 2
From: Melrose Florida
If it's your tie rod end, you may be OK, can replace both sides for about $50 in parts/tools.
If ball joint, still maybe OK, more effort and cost, say $100 in parts/tools.
If any of the links on the steering arm and/or power steering cylinder or valve, still more money and effort.
The worst part is that you have a steering or front end suspension component rusty enough to break...nothing happens in isolation on these cars, so you have a serious rust problem. I'd be nervous about the frame and birdcage farther back, because those areas almost always deteriorate sooner than front suspension components.
Steve
If ball joint, still maybe OK, more effort and cost, say $100 in parts/tools.
If any of the links on the steering arm and/or power steering cylinder or valve, still more money and effort.
The worst part is that you have a steering or front end suspension component rusty enough to break...nothing happens in isolation on these cars, so you have a serious rust problem. I'd be nervous about the frame and birdcage farther back, because those areas almost always deteriorate sooner than front suspension components.
Steve
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 318
Likes: 0
From: Cape Coral FL
i can post a pic its already towed away to this repair shop and im just waiting on him to call back me back well its the tie rod i belive that is for the steering and the joint came off the frame i was holding it my hand
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 131
Likes: 0
From: Brampton Ontario
Just be thankful it broke when it did !!!...God forbid if it let loose on the highway @ 70MPH 
Please remember the age of these cars and the need to constantly monitor and inspect critical components…..Most C3’s on the road today have undergone some form of major restoration….Please don’t ever think that just because a vehicle has Low mileage, it’s automatically safe!!!….Time & corrosion are still the enemy !!
Please don’t drive the car until you are satisfied that all major chassis components are sound.
Please remember the age of these cars and the need to constantly monitor and inspect critical components…..Most C3’s on the road today have undergone some form of major restoration….Please don’t ever think that just because a vehicle has Low mileage, it’s automatically safe!!!….Time & corrosion are still the enemy !!
Please don’t drive the car until you are satisfied that all major chassis components are sound.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 318
Likes: 0
From: Cape Coral FL
yeah thats exactly what my dad said im pretty lucky that would suck to be driving on the road and then have no steering im gonna have the guy check the rest of the frame and udercarage checked out
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 8,339
Likes: 24
From: I can walk to MA
"The joint came off the frame"
Tie rod end is between the steering knuckle (moves with wheel) and
the steering linkage ... not on frame.
It sounds from your description that the bracket for the power steering
ram (looks like hydraulic cylinder - about a foot long) was pulled out
of the bottom of the frame rail. This will require some welding to fix.
Not too difficult, but I would also be concerned about rust/rot in other areas.
This is the bracket:
http://www.zip-products.com/Zip/prod...4136A6D01A3740
This is the ram:
http://www.zip-products.com/Zip/prod...4136A6D01A3740
Good Luck
Tie rod end is between the steering knuckle (moves with wheel) and
the steering linkage ... not on frame.
It sounds from your description that the bracket for the power steering
ram (looks like hydraulic cylinder - about a foot long) was pulled out
of the bottom of the frame rail. This will require some welding to fix.
Not too difficult, but I would also be concerned about rust/rot in other areas.
This is the bracket:
http://www.zip-products.com/Zip/prod...4136A6D01A3740
This is the ram:
http://www.zip-products.com/Zip/prod...4136A6D01A3740
Good Luck
Last edited by NHvette; Nov 16, 2006 at 05:27 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
Originally Posted by onaqwst
take the car to your house and fix it yourself,,.,the mechanic will charge you an arm and a testis since it's a "corvette".....
i'm sure a forum member can swing by and help you
b
i'm sure a forum member can swing by and help you
b
Yep...being in FL I'm sure there are a lot of local members. I also agree that doing the work yourself is the best way to save the money. If you can't do it...maybe your Dad has skills in this area.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 318
Likes: 0
From: Cape Coral FL
Originally Posted by NHvette
"The joint came off the frame"
Tie rod end is between the steering knuckle (moves with wheel) and
the steering linkage ... not on frame.
It sounds from your description that the bracket for the power steering
ram (looks like hydraulic cylinder - about a foot long) was pulled out
of the bottom of the frame rail. This will require some welding to fix.
Not too difficult, but I would also be concerned about rust/rot in other areas.
This is the bracket:
http://www.zip-products.com/Zip/prod...4136A6D01A3740
This is the ram:
http://www.zip-products.com/Zip/prod...4136A6D01A3740
Good Luck
Tie rod end is between the steering knuckle (moves with wheel) and
the steering linkage ... not on frame.
It sounds from your description that the bracket for the power steering
ram (looks like hydraulic cylinder - about a foot long) was pulled out
of the bottom of the frame rail. This will require some welding to fix.
Not too difficult, but I would also be concerned about rust/rot in other areas.
This is the bracket:
http://www.zip-products.com/Zip/prod...4136A6D01A3740
This is the ram:
http://www.zip-products.com/Zip/prod...4136A6D01A3740
Good Luck
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,028
Likes: 0
From: San Antonio Texas
Originally Posted by onaqwst
,,.,the mechanic will charge you an arm and a testis since it's a "corvette".....
Ya, dats what my mechanic tried to do. i was cool with the arm part but had to put my foot down on the testi part. i said i'd give my brothers left testi but my mechanic said no, that's against state law, it had to be mine. i don't know if he's right but he should know, no???
i mean i don't want to be driving around in my macho ***** magnet C3 like some girlie man with no testi. you don't blame me, right?
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
Can we stop discussing *****? I'd rather talk about Corvettes and big motors on this forum.
I'm still waiting for pics of this guy's damage. I wonder if frame rot as to blame or a crack.
I'm still waiting for pics of this guy's damage. I wonder if frame rot as to blame or a crack.