That was a close moment

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AusChris
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That was a close moment

Post by AusChris »

As some might know, car has had most of the front end steering and suspension replaced, by yours truly. And, the ride has been sensational, until Saturday...

I was going to the local shop - about 4k away. As I went around a round about, the car twitched when it shouldn't. When I straigtened up, the steering wheel was no longer centred and the car want to pull left.

I was near shop, so parked and got my things. Had a look under and noticed the passenger front wheel was further forward than it ought to be. I figured I needed to jack up and suspected the steering rack had moved. So drove home.

This is what I found:

Image

Shit. So close to disaster. Took me an hour to line everything up again and push the bolt through, torquing it properly with the right 19mm nut and washer. I can only conclude that I didn't tighten correctly, or (shame), left the nut off altogether. This was three weeks ago, have driven down coast and so on....

Regards to all - Chris


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Jeroen
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Re: That was a close moment

Post by Jeroen »

Brrrr lucky escape mate!
Regards/groeten, Jeroen
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DrGonzoPOW
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Re: That was a close moment

Post by DrGonzoPOW »

Woah, was your arm just about to fall out!?
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garyw51
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Re: That was a close moment

Post by garyw51 »

Lucky catch Chris. Unfortunately I have seen it happen before - luckily not to me.
gary[color=#BF0000][/color]
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Peter V.
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Re: That was a close moment

Post by Peter V. »

When you have the possibility you put the bolt from the other side in. She can not escape then because of the steeringarm.
Gr Peter V.

.Some say he eats nuts and bolts for breakfast, all we know is he is called the carburetorman.

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DrGonzoPOW
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Re: That was a close moment

Post by DrGonzoPOW »

i put them in the other way around when i did the suspension cuz it was a bitch to get in otherwise. Its the first thing ill be checking next time i go out in it!!
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AusChris
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Re: That was a close moment

Post by AusChris »

Peter V. wrote:When you have the possibility you put the bolt from the other side in. She can not escape then because of the steeringarm.
Agree Peter, it was precisely because I needed to remove the steering arms that I chose to push the bolt through the other way. But it shows that, once you think you have completed the task, you do need to spend a few minutes checking your work.

regards to everyone
Jacko
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Re: That was a close moment

Post by Jacko »

A very lucky escape! :shock:
1986 E28 M535i - Car stripped to shell ready to be blasted
1981 E21 323i - 2.8 24v on throttle bodies & cams - 3.0 conversion soon.

[img]http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y99/Arnold_the_swimmer/My%20M535i/IMG_0447sig-1.jpg[/img]
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