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Week from Hell

The Big Cat

By The Big Cat
in Off the Wall Archives

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The Big Cat Hall of Famer

The Big Cat

Posted
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I lost my father last Saturday, a heart attack, it was unexpected.

 

We had his service Thursday, and mom sent us back to Chicago yesterday to regroup and get on.

 

It's not a difficult drive from Erie to Chicago if the weather cooperates, but about 100 miles out I went right over top some junk in the road and began to lose pressure on my brakes.

 

Dicey though it was once we hit city traffic, we made to all the way home, but a picture of the under side of the car shows we shredded it pretty good.

 

Any ideas what we might have done? How expensive it will be to fix and how long it will take?

 

Mom doesn't want me to put in an insurance claim and just use her credit card, but I'm afraid it's gonna sting.

 

Last !@#$ing thing I need to be dealing with right now.

boyst Hall of Famer

boyst

Posted
Posted

I am not quite sure what to add about the brakes and the situation. First thing first you need to make sure you have pressure from the master cylinder and you are not leaking fluid. Put down some cardboard or newspaper under the vehicle to check for and drips or fluid leaking. Let the car sit for a while and then fire it up see if the brakes work correctly with a spin around the block. Get up to about 10-15 mph and give the brake pedal a good solid depression. No need to slam it on, as if there is any damage you could do more harm.

 

If the vehicle doesn't shutter and has a smooth deceleration that is going to be a good sign. Obviously, it's not going to be in the mechanics of the braking system, since it is unlikely your master cylinder is at the bottom of your vehicle or any of your braking controls are in an area that would have been effected. The rotors and pads and all wouldn't be damaged, either.

 

Most likely there is some damage to a line or electronic controller/wire/switch. I don't know much about the whole system, those are just the basics I can give you.

 

Most importantly I am sorry about your loss.

boyst Hall of Famer

boyst

Posted
Posted

That's rough, man. Really sorry to hear about your dad.

 

I would just go the insurance route in the car. Is your premium really going to go up all that much because of something like this? I don't know, but it seems unlikely.

Before going the insurance route you can probably find a local garage, especially if you know anyone, to take a looksee first. If they give you an idea you will know where you stand and usually it only costs $35-60.
ExiledInIllinois Hall of Famer

ExiledInIllinois

Posted
Posted (edited)

I am so sorry to hear about your loss. We just had a fella unexpectantly die @ work... He was 59.

 

 

 

Years ago going back through Michigan from Buffalo to Chicago... I took the northern I-94, QEW, Route 2 route through S.Ontario... I straddled a dead deer with my car outside Ann Arbor... Deer are soft... But the flesh and burnt hide on the muffler was awful when I finally landed in my town... Had to wash the skinned parts off from the under side... Didn't do much damage but I had a faulty speedometer cable from time to time depending on the weather.

 

I am not sure what needs to be done with the car... But those things can be fixed. What is it with and credit cards, use your mother's and hope it doesn't clear! ;-P Only joking... Good luck!

Edited by ExiledInIllinois
boyst Hall of Famer

boyst

Posted
Posted

Thanks for all the nice condolences. He was great man.

 

Taking the car in tomorrow, braced for the worst.

Unless you have yourself 'a guy' get multiple quotes.
mrags Hall of Famer

mrags

Posted
Posted

Sorry for your loss BC. Wish I had info for you on the brakes. I have no clue. Good luck with it. Hopefully with everything else going on it gets straightened out quickly and rather cheaply.

ExiledInIllinois Hall of Famer

ExiledInIllinois

Posted
Posted

What did you actually shred, break? Was it leaking fluid? You still had pedal... I am going to say a 1,000 @ most... But that sounds high without seeing or actually being able to see how it drives. A full all- around brake job can run 700-900.

 

Is there a picture you can post. What kind of vehicle?

Buftex Hall of Famer

Buftex

Posted
Posted (edited)

Sorry for your loss Big Cat. I know a few of us here have lost parents recently...time is the only healer.

 

By no means I am an expert on cars, but it sounds like you may have damaged your brake-line. Have you noticed any leaks? Check your brake fluid...if it is low, you probably have a leak. It will definitely makes your brakes "soft". Not a good feeling... I had to replace my entire break system about 4 years ago. As I recall, it cost about $900, parts and labor. It was really the first major repair I had to make on my car, which is a 1994 Accord. The problem was caused by age of the car, more than a specific incident. Sadly, I have noticed lately, a leak in the same area again, and the breaks are a little softer than I would like.

Edited by Buftex
The Big Cat Hall of Famer

The Big Cat

Posted
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Posted

Ripped out the entire underside of the car, you can reach up through the bottom and touch the carpet.

 

Gashed the frame rail.

 

Completely severed both brake lines (left and right) from the front to the back.

 

The entire interior has to be removed so it doesn't catch on fire during the welding process.

 

Don't have a parts/labor estimate yet on the brake lines, but prior to that: 1684.

 

Yep.

 

When it rains...

ExiledInIllinois Hall of Famer

ExiledInIllinois

Posted
Posted

Ripped out the entire underside of the car, you can reach up through the bottom and touch the carpet.

 

Gashed the frame rail.

 

Completely severed both brake lines (left and right) from the front to the back.

 

The entire interior has to be removed so it doesn't catch on fire during the welding process.

 

Don't have a parts/labor estimate yet on the brake lines, but prior to that: 1684.

 

Yep.

 

When it rains...

 

Wow... What a mess... How the hell did you drive it with the brake lines severed?

 

1684 doesn't sound that bad for all that work... My transmission alone was 2k. Good luck and hope theygo easy on you!

 

I would file a collision claim... Can you do that?

Nanker Hall of Famer

Nanker

Posted
Posted

Very sorry to hear about your dad Big Cat. It's a tough thing to go through... Yet alone having your car wrecked. My Dad passed away several years ago and our hotel rooms were robbed while we're out at the funeral.

Hope you get the ship righted soon.

Peace.

The Big Cat Hall of Famer

The Big Cat

Posted
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Posted

Very sorry to hear about your dad Big Cat. It's a tough thing to go through... Yet alone having your car wrecked. My Dad passed away several years ago and our hotel rooms were robbed while we're out at the funeral.

Hope you get the ship righted soon.

Peace.

 

Oh my god, that's terrible. We were given a head's up on people reading obits then showing up to rob houses, knowing the families would be attending viewings/services. Just sick. Fortunately for us, the guy who lives next door to my parents' house (yes, I'm keeping it plural) is a local SWAT member and he just parked his cruiser in our driveway.

 

Speaking of obits, if you got a minute or two, read up on my pops. He was a great man and his was a life well lived: http://goo.gl/La5jG0

Canadian Bills Fan All Pro

Canadian Bills Fan

Posted
Posted

Oh my god, that's terrible. We were given a head's up on people reading obits then showing up to rob houses, knowing the families would be attending viewings/services. Just sick. Fortunately for us, the guy who lives next door to my parents' house (yes, I'm keeping it plural) is a local SWAT member and he just parked his cruiser in our driveway.

 

Speaking of obits, if you got a minute or two, read up on my pops. He was a great man and his was a life well lived: http://goo.gl/La5jG0

 

Sounds like a great man.

 

CBF

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