First accident with the BRZ :(

[Jfheisenberg]

Hey Guys - Just wanted to get some input of that could have been wrong with my BRZ.

Last Thursday i was driving and hit a big pothole, it was dark so i did not see it on the road. I heard a big boom from the front driver side wheel area (which is the area where it took the hit) and i thought i broke something. I step out of the car and it seemed fine at that time. I check the tire pressure and it was good, not TPMS light came on or any other warning light on the dash.

I kept driving the car as normal but i felt like the steering wheel was pulling to the left so i had to firm grip the steering to keep driving. At that time, i thought it was because of the road surface so did not pay much attention.

The next day (which was yesterday) i was driving and while entering a tight shoulder to merge into the highway i lost control of the car and hit the curve hard. It was a hard hit but my girl and i were ok and no person or other car was hurt.

From what i can tell the rear and front driving wheels are damage, the sti side skirt is damage and sti lip is damage and the lower part of the bumper will likely need to be re-painted.

Also, after the accident, i was not able to turn my wheels. I turn the steering wheel in any direction but the front wheels do not move or turn anymore. I believe that likely the front axles/shaft are broken.

The car had to be towed to a impound until monday were my insurance Geico will take the car to the auto body shop that i requested. The car insurance is full cover so i just need to pay my deductive.

Good thing that no one was hurt, only the car is damage

Now im wondering..

Could that hit with the pothole weak some suspension part that cause the part to give up/break while i was entering the corner?

I was running Blizzak WS80 tires so those tires do not have the best grip in the dry road. These are not performance tires to my knowledge.

Geico will inspect the car tomorrow with the body shop and will give me a list of all the parts that needs to be repair and fixed.

Not sure how long they will take

[gtengr]

Originally Posted by Jfheisenberg

Could that hit with the pothole weak some suspension part that cause the part to give up/break while i was entering the corner?

Yes, sounds like that initial hit may have damaged a tie rod and threw the alignment off. Then the tie rod eventually broke.

[~el~jefe~]

sucks

[softgrip]

Originally Posted by Jfheisenberg

Also, after the accident, i was not able to turn my wheels. I turn the steering wheel in any direction but the front wheels do not move or turn anymore. I believe that likely the front axles/shaft are broken.

There is no mechanical steering - so it could be something else like the steering electrics coming loose.

[nico_rsx]

Originally Posted by softgrip

There is no mechanical steering - so it could be something else like the steering electrics coming loose.

There is a mechanical steering. The electric power steering is just there for assist.

Maybe a broken tie-rod like someone said. But I broke a tie-rod once, and was still able to turn the other wheel. The car was going nowhere though (wheels not pointing in the same direction).

[softgrip]

Originally Posted by nico_rsx

There is a mechanical steering. The electric power steering is just there for assist.

My bad :\

[jasonojordan]

Little hindsight but if you could feel the car pulling hard to the left aft the initial pot hole incident why did you not take it in to the shop and get it checked out??

Likely as others have stated your tie rod was damaged and then subsequently failed after not getting it checked out.

[Jfheisenberg]

Originally Posted by jasonojordan

Little hindsight but if you could feel the car pulling hard to the left aft the initial pot hole incident why did you not take it in to the shop and get it checked out??

Likely as others have stated your tie rod was damaged and then subsequently failed after not getting it checked out.

Because the pot hole incident was a day before (11AM thrusday) and the accident happened at 1PM Friday.

[jasonojordan]

Originally Posted by Jfheisenberg

Because the pot hole incident was a day before (11AM thrusday) and the accident happened at 1PM Friday.

sooooo then you don't drive the car again till you get it checked out?

[Tcoat]

My guess is a bent steering linkage (black arrow). It jammed and now the wheels won't move.

[Jfheisenberg]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

My guess is a bent steering linkage (black arrow). It jammed and now the wheels won't move.

Thanks, so one steering linkage could prevent both front wheels not to move?

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by Jfheisenberg

Thanks, so one steering linkage could prevent both front wheels not to move?

If it jammed it probably snapped something further up the line. The fact that you can turn the wheel means that the force isn't even reaching the wheels or linkage anymore. I couldn't find a picture inside the electric assist but I bet there is a simple worm gear on the motor and that has been sheared off. Could be one of the U joints though.

[Jfheisenberg]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

If it jammed it probably snapped something further up the line. The fact that you can turn the wheel means that the force isn't even reaching the wheels or linkage anymore. I couldn't find a picture inside the electric assist but I bet there is a simple worm gear on the motor and that has been sheared off. Could be one of the U joints though.

Could be, Body shop will inspect the car today, we'll see what they find.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by Jfheisenberg

Could be, Body shop will inspect the car today, we'll see what they find.

Could also be the gear inside the rack it self.
I am interested to know. Pot holes are one of my biggest concerns since I have had two cats steering taken out by them in the past.