Telco
Dedicated LVC Member
2003 Lincoln LS V8. I was visiting my parents yesterday and we were coming back from my land over in Arkansas. When we came over a bridge over the Arkansas River (I-540E for those familiar with the area) we were passing the truck, kinda easy since we weren't in a hurry and there was no traffic backing up behind us. Anyway, we're just about to pass the trailer when all of a sudden this HUGE looking thing comes flying out through between the trailer floor and the steel bar that prevents cars from going under the trailer, spinning like a propeller. It hits the Lincoln on the right front fender taking a huge hunk out of the right front wheel and gouging the crap out of the tire's sidewall. It also smacked into the fender and messed up some other stuff. It was amazing at how well the car took the hit, because aside from the loud vibration you get when a tire blows the car still handled fine. Since the wheel was toast anyway I shot in front of the semi and forced him off the road.
Turns out that the trailer had a busted leaf spring, and it decided to come off as we were passing the trailer. The state trooper that responded actually found the leaf on the bridge. The guy was written up for defective gear and sent on his way. My car was towed to a local repair shop (I live in Tulsa but grew up in Van Buren AR, and that's where my family is) as it's not currently drivable. The initial repair estimate is 4800 bucks. My insurance company has already said to begin repairs, but it's going to be on the truck driver's insurance to pay the ultimate bill. USAA, my insurance company, is pretty good about just slapping down the cash to get their customers back on the road as quickly as possible, then settling the money out after the fact. And, the truck driver said he was going to have some very unpleasant words with the safety manager that is supposed to be taking care of the trailers because the trailer had apparently just passed an inspection. The leaf spring had obviously been broken for a while.
I gotta say, I'm pretty lucky on how it went down. Had that leaf gone just a bit higher it would have gone through the windshield. Either I'd now be arranging two funerals as my dad was in the passenger seat and my mom was directly behind him, or I'd be getting prepped for one myself. If that leaf spring had come through the windshield it would have been found in the trunk. Danged thing was the overload spring, and it was about a foot and a half long, 4 inches wide and 3/4 or so inch thick. I'm sure any truckers here could give the correct dimensions. It broke right at the axle shackle on the front side of the trailer, passenger side. I have some videos, will post as soon as I figure out how to get them off the phone.
I was very surprised at how stable the car handled after the impact as well. Completely predictable, and aside from the loud noise from the blown tire I really didn't feel any handling problems aside from a bit of vibration through the steering wheel. I bet it woulda flipped a front wheel drive crackerbox though.
Speaking of front wheel drive crackerboxes, I am driving a Dodge Avenger for a rental until the Lincoln is repaired. It really blows. Under full throttle it accelerates about like the LS does when I'm in no hurry, yet somehow still manages to impart torque steer. It's really making me rethink whether or not I want a Charger now. When the time comes I'm going to make sure to rent a Charger before buying just to make sure it's not a POS like the Avenger is. I will say this for the Avenger though, seems to do an excellent job at soaking up the bumps. It almost rides as smoothly as the LS does.
Turns out that the trailer had a busted leaf spring, and it decided to come off as we were passing the trailer. The state trooper that responded actually found the leaf on the bridge. The guy was written up for defective gear and sent on his way. My car was towed to a local repair shop (I live in Tulsa but grew up in Van Buren AR, and that's where my family is) as it's not currently drivable. The initial repair estimate is 4800 bucks. My insurance company has already said to begin repairs, but it's going to be on the truck driver's insurance to pay the ultimate bill. USAA, my insurance company, is pretty good about just slapping down the cash to get their customers back on the road as quickly as possible, then settling the money out after the fact. And, the truck driver said he was going to have some very unpleasant words with the safety manager that is supposed to be taking care of the trailers because the trailer had apparently just passed an inspection. The leaf spring had obviously been broken for a while.
I gotta say, I'm pretty lucky on how it went down. Had that leaf gone just a bit higher it would have gone through the windshield. Either I'd now be arranging two funerals as my dad was in the passenger seat and my mom was directly behind him, or I'd be getting prepped for one myself. If that leaf spring had come through the windshield it would have been found in the trunk. Danged thing was the overload spring, and it was about a foot and a half long, 4 inches wide and 3/4 or so inch thick. I'm sure any truckers here could give the correct dimensions. It broke right at the axle shackle on the front side of the trailer, passenger side. I have some videos, will post as soon as I figure out how to get them off the phone.
I was very surprised at how stable the car handled after the impact as well. Completely predictable, and aside from the loud noise from the blown tire I really didn't feel any handling problems aside from a bit of vibration through the steering wheel. I bet it woulda flipped a front wheel drive crackerbox though.
Speaking of front wheel drive crackerboxes, I am driving a Dodge Avenger for a rental until the Lincoln is repaired. It really blows. Under full throttle it accelerates about like the LS does when I'm in no hurry, yet somehow still manages to impart torque steer. It's really making me rethink whether or not I want a Charger now. When the time comes I'm going to make sure to rent a Charger before buying just to make sure it's not a POS like the Avenger is. I will say this for the Avenger though, seems to do an excellent job at soaking up the bumps. It almost rides as smoothly as the LS does.
