Handling Characteristic After Accident
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Instructor
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 138
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From: Clearlake TX
Handling Characteristic After Accident
I just picked up my 2007 from the body shop after having damage due to a left rear impact from an idiot that had no insurance @#$%.
The left rear tire was replaced and the right is original with 25,000. I was expecting insurance to replace the right, but unfortunately not the case. I plan to have right tire replaced on the vehicle in the coming week.
I noticed immediate when I accelerate, I can see the HUD image on the windshield move, sway, or call it track to the left a bit. Come off the acceleration and it appears to return back to the original alignment out the front windshield.
Could this be due to the tire size of a new and old rear tire on the car? Not something I noticed in the past, however I’m looking for every minor nuisance and “tick out of place”!
Yes there was minimal frame damage, but the report after the frame repair and 4 wheel alignment all indicate within specs.
Thoughts?
The left rear tire was replaced and the right is original with 25,000. I was expecting insurance to replace the right, but unfortunately not the case. I plan to have right tire replaced on the vehicle in the coming week.
I noticed immediate when I accelerate, I can see the HUD image on the windshield move, sway, or call it track to the left a bit. Come off the acceleration and it appears to return back to the original alignment out the front windshield.
Could this be due to the tire size of a new and old rear tire on the car? Not something I noticed in the past, however I’m looking for every minor nuisance and “tick out of place”!
Yes there was minimal frame damage, but the report after the frame repair and 4 wheel alignment all indicate within specs.
Thoughts?
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Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 11,216
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From: Pensacola Florida GO GATORS!!! www.rlsebring.com www.c6c7vette.com
St. Jude Donor '17
First off Spec on the frame from the General can be +/- 8mm which could be huge. Tire thread differences can add to the equation as well. Frame damage is nothing to be scared of as long as the repair was performed properly.
I've had frame work did by a respectable frame guy and the frame is usually dead on or at worst a mm or 2 out. BTW you'd be amazed at what a brand new, never wrecked eVtte off the dealer floor would measure out to be.
Sounds like the HUD issue, If I am reading it right, is something is loose with the HUD mounting if it's moving and probably due to th jolt the car took when hit.
I've had frame work did by a respectable frame guy and the frame is usually dead on or at worst a mm or 2 out. BTW you'd be amazed at what a brand new, never wrecked eVtte off the dealer floor would measure out to be.
Sounds like the HUD issue, If I am reading it right, is something is loose with the HUD mounting if it's moving and probably due to th jolt the car took when hit.
I just picked up my 2007 from the body shop after having damage due to a left rear impact from an idiot that had no insurance @#$%.
The left rear tire was replaced and the right is original with 25,000. I was expecting insurance to replace the right, but unfortunately not the case. I plan to have right tire replaced on the vehicle in the coming week.
I noticed immediate when I accelerate, I can see the HUD image on the windshield move, sway, or call it track to the left a bit. Come off the acceleration and it appears to return back to the original alignment out the front windshield.
Could this be due to the tire size of a new and old rear tire on the car? Not something I noticed in the past, however I’m looking for every minor nuisance and “tick out of place”!
Yes there was minimal frame damage, but the report after the frame repair and 4 wheel alignment all indicate within specs.
Thoughts?
The left rear tire was replaced and the right is original with 25,000. I was expecting insurance to replace the right, but unfortunately not the case. I plan to have right tire replaced on the vehicle in the coming week.
I noticed immediate when I accelerate, I can see the HUD image on the windshield move, sway, or call it track to the left a bit. Come off the acceleration and it appears to return back to the original alignment out the front windshield.
Could this be due to the tire size of a new and old rear tire on the car? Not something I noticed in the past, however I’m looking for every minor nuisance and “tick out of place”!
Yes there was minimal frame damage, but the report after the frame repair and 4 wheel alignment all indicate within specs.
Thoughts?
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 204
Likes: 1
From: Northbrook Il
St. Jude Donor '11
Next week will be the tell , after you replace the right side tire. Most insurance companys allow for additional work if necesary ,also bring up the guestion of handeling with them and have them come up with an answer for you. Make them do their work, if you have an agent,talk to him or her, that's what they are there for. Good luck and a good resolution.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 752
Likes: 28
From: Ottawa, Ontario
Could it be that the car is "dog tracking" when you accelerate than back off. In other words, the car actually rotates a small amount and what you see is the view out of the windshield shift a bit relative to the HUD.
If this is the case, than there is still an issue with the frame alignment, the suspension control arms or the bushings. I'd take it back to the body shop and tell them to have another look.
If this is the case, than there is still an issue with the frame alignment, the suspension control arms or the bushings. I'd take it back to the body shop and tell them to have another look.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 204
Likes: 1
From: Northbrook Il
St. Jude Donor '11
jkregel, If as FireRoc suspects , that it has a slight tracking problem (dog legging) have someone follow behind you in another car. They should be able to spot the dog leg , travel of the rear end to the right or left. Also in this regard, on a nuteral camber road , can you let go of the wheel and the car continue in a straight path? Hope this helps.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,036
Likes: 9,798
From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
I was going to say Dog walking as well. However, dog walking or suspension adjustment will not affect the HUD so I am assuming you are using the HUD as a reference to tell the car is moving the way you describe. It could be something as simple as the thrust angle needs to be a little closer to 0. Just because somebody says the alignment is in spec doesn't mean it is right. The specs are wide and if the alignment guy is lazy you will get a bad alignment.
If the thrust angle is off so the general thrust of the rear wheels is to the right the car will feel like it is turning left under acceleration and then turning back right with off throttle. It could be that just one of the rear tie rod needs adjusting or that the camber adjusting cams on one or both of the rear lower control arms has slipped. I had this happen after one alignment due to the tech not tightening them sufficiently. The =/- .2 degrees of thrust angle can be felt and visually noticed and should be set a lot closer to zero.
If the thrust angle is off so the general thrust of the rear wheels is to the right the car will feel like it is turning left under acceleration and then turning back right with off throttle. It could be that just one of the rear tie rod needs adjusting or that the camber adjusting cams on one or both of the rear lower control arms has slipped. I had this happen after one alignment due to the tech not tightening them sufficiently. The =/- .2 degrees of thrust angle can be felt and visually noticed and should be set a lot closer to zero.
Last edited by Bill Dearborn; Feb 6, 2011 at 03:54 PM.
