Soft Alloys / Damaged

[~Rich~]

Hi all,
Well what a day I had today.
I had to stop and get fuel at the Epping Rd Caltex servo near Delhi Rd North Ryde, pulling back out on Epping Rd I saw there was a gap and as you do you pull out and I had to get across to the right hand lane (across 3 lanes) and again I was checking my mirrors to see if it was clear when Bang - Bang and then woosh. I knew I must of hit something as my left hand side deflated.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/05/749.jpg (http://s193.photobucket.com/user/VSK5/media/IMG_8393_zps6ce3d822.jpg.html)

Pulled over to the left as cars behind me who saw the accident also braked and steered around the chunk of concrete that I had hit.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/05/750.jpg (http://s193.photobucket.com/user/VSK5/media/IMG_8390_zps10fb0cfd.jpg.html)

So the damage:

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/05/751.jpg (http://s193.photobucket.com/user/VSK5/media/IMG_8400_zps1a8cfc71.jpg.html)

Two stuffed 19" Alloys, worth $850 ea. No sign of the truck that dropped the concrete. No damage to either tyre remarkably.

Not so lucky was another Lady who hit it in her Kia Cerato, she ended up with a damaged front rim just like mine and a big dent in her passenger side front floor.

So not many people carry two spares, the only choice was a flat bed tilt tray truck to my place . $285 thank you. NRMA who I have the Premium cover with would not cover the towing because I had hit something not broken down. I should of made my car have a mechanical failure then they may of!

Anyway got it towed home so I could swap to my 18's and drive on!
Called Shannons - more to come.

[TerryO]

Bugger sorry to hear that Rich! ...while the tyres may look ok seriously I wouldn't trust them again having taken that big a hit.

[FeatherWeightDriver]

Ouch! Good to hear you are ok, and for bonus points the rest of your car.

How big were thos concrete bits? Looks like the ones used to keep roadworks bollards in place...

[LeighW]

^^^^^ What he said - sidewall damage can be easily missed if not obvious. Have a professional check the tyres BEFORE re-using them or exposing you, your family or any other road users to the possible risk.

Please.

[scarry]

^^^^^^^^^^^
What he said,tyres will without doubt need replacing:(

Sorry to hear,lucky you had the 18's so are mobile again.

[tiddy]

Mate, I sure hope Shannon's came to the party for the rims at least.

tiddy

[nat_89]

Sh*t mate that looks crazy we would have all done the same probably not even seen them given the way you explained it!!

Best of luck with your insurance they can be bastards to deal with hope it works out!!

[Graeme]

And you weren't even off road! The possibility of hitting the same object with both wheels on a side is the main reason I like to carry 2 spares when outback.

I'd be pushing for new tyres too - I hope its a simple claim.

[SBD4]

Not good Rich! I would be having the suspension checked too, I wouldn't be surprised if you need an alignment. Also, you might want to discuss the event with the police as it is illegal to have an unsecured load - they might be able to track the bugger down using video footage and give him a love letter.

Good luck!

[CaverD3]

Can that much damage be repaired?

[~Rich~]

Thanks all, had the car looked over, the chunk which was 400 x 400 x 200mm approx went through amazingly pretty cleanly. It did not hit either arm it did put a light gouge on my alloy compressor plate at the chassis line and that was it.
One of my lower front suspension bushes is torn and the inner tie rod joint has a lot of play. Both of those items, 2 tyres and rims will be in the claim.

The rims are stuffed, not safe if repaired.
Total repair quote: $3332 + $285 towing = $3617 !!!

[Barryp]

Hi Rich,
The cross street at the Caltex service station is Wicks Rd which leads to the North Ryde garbage transfer station. My guess is your lump of concrete probably fell off a truck going into the transfer station.
Regards
Barryp

[~Rich~]

Yes I'm sure it was a truck leaving the transfer station because of which side of the road it was on. What I would need is a live video footage of that section of Epping Rd, to actually see the offending truck. I don't think there is one there.

[BigJon]

Something that size might have been trapped between the dual wheels of a truck or trailer and then flicked out when it got a bit of speed up.

[jon3950]

Yes I'm sure it was a truck leaving the transfer station because of which side of the road it was on. What I would need is a live video footage of that section of Epping Rd, to actually see the offending truck. I don't think there is one there.

Went through there myself today - was very cautious. There is some sort of demolition job going on down on Wicks Rd. Trucks everywhere. I'd say its come off one of them as they've turned on to Epping Rd. May be worth mentioning to your insurance company, since you've got the photos.

I rate those tippers as the lowest form of life on the roads, even below garbage trucks. Would love to see those bastards pay for their carelessness.

Cheers,
Jon

[~Rich~]

Well car assessed at home, got the approval for the repairs. Had the car booked in for next Friday, unfortunately no General Grabbers in 255/55 R19 available until the week after. BUGGER as I can't drive too far with my buggered lower arm bush.
Just as well I had a spare set of wheels!!!

[Graeme]

BUGGER as I can't drive too far with my buggered lower arm bush.
Just as well I had a spare set of wheels!!!It seems that you need a spare vehicle to use the wheels though!

[~Rich~]

Well, still awaiting supply of General Grabber 255/55 R19 tyres. They are in Sydney in a container - buried somewhere inside!

Forgot to say what the damage bill was - $3600.
Insurance is covering it apart from the excess.

I took the bent alloys to a Aluminium Specialist fabricator just to see if they are in fact repairable - much to my surprise he said yes.
They ran them on a machine first to see how bad the damage was.
$132 each to repair, or worth $15 each as scrap - replacement value $850 each!!

I asked if they would still be structurally sound, he said yes to that too.
He was a L/R nut - Aluminium Engineering Brookvale.
Has a couple of single cab Defender 130's with custom camper conversion on the back. Very nice, just sold one for $75,000.

I'm thinking I'll get them repaired and sell them off either here or eBay.
Probably $200/ 250 each.
Thoughts or anyone interested in them?

[RHS58]

Ok as long as you tell buyer they are repaired items.

[~Rich~]

Yes I was going to mention that in the advert.

[Graeme]

One of my sons had a slightly-damaged alloy rim from his Saab repaired by a repairer recommended by a local tyre outlet. The repair appeared good but the repairer had unannounced engraved "not for road use" on the rim, presumably for personal liability reasons. A light touch with a grinder removed the engraving.

[~Rich~]

The guy said they have done humdreds of rims including one off a Lamborgini, the repair was $80. The rim was worth $3500 and the guy forgot to pick it up until he had a flat tyre! They had kept the rim as they knew he'd be back eventually.

[letherm]

I suppose it's like welding. IIRC the weld joint is actually stronger than the metal.

I don't know if I'd be comfortable with a repaired rim depending on the damage but I reckon it would definitely do as the rim for the spare.

[Graeme]

My sons' rim had only a slight folding-in of the inside edge at 1 spot, just enough to not hold air. I couldn't understand why the person said he could and did repair it then did what he did to the rim. The rim was spun at the local Bob Jane outlet to check trueness and was as good as the others.

[LandyAndy]

Matching pair for a trailer!!!
Andrew

[~Rich~]

Looks like one sold.
One left and will go on ebay in a couple of weeks time, starting price will be $200 on the Auction.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/06/1357.jpg (http://s193.photobucket.com/user/VSK5/media/D3/8606205B-D71F-4F2D-A499-6357F4F793FE_zpsndrb5slo.jpg.html)

Cleaned the PlastiDip off with a high pressure washer, dent still on the other side at the moment though.