Totalled my SRT-4 - need help big time!

[posthondaremoval]

So - unfortunately the car is no more - 40 mph into a tree. I am very lucky to be able to write this as we speak.

I need help. I have a suspicion that a mechanical failure caused the accident that lost me my car. I was doing the speed limit on a dry road in traffic and the car started to pull hard to the right when i was in a left curve. It felt like something broke loose on the right front wheel. To be more specific, the wheel felt like it turned/draged to the right on its own independant of my steering to the left.


I have to figure this out fast - the insurance company is being very unhelpful of course and they are rushing the matter to avoid additional storage fees.

Does anyone know of anything that is common as far as failure of a wheel/tie rod/contrloarm/axle...with the 2004 SRT-4?

Any help is greatly appreciated. I am in a real bind here.

-Adam

[Tiny]

Any suspension modifications?

[posthondaremoval]

Any suspension modifications?

stock suspension

[Tiny]

stock suspension

For the car to steer right that dramatically both wheels would have had to be pointing in the wrong direction, but I can't say for sure.

I haven't heard of the SRT having that type of mechanical problem short of a couple of guys putting aftermarket control arms on incorrectly, but even then their car didn't pull them off the road even with the control arm falling off.

Can you remember anything else that might stand out?

[posthondaremoval]

For the car to steer right that dramatically both wheels would have had to be pointing in the wrong direction, but I can't say for sure.

I haven't heard of the SRT having that type of mechanical problem short of a couple of guys putting aftermarket control arms on incorrectly, but even then their car didn't pull them off the road even with the control arm falling off.

Can you remember anything else that might stand out?

Not really - i was driving normally, and the car just started to "wash". It pulled to the right enought to have me at the edge of the road - then i corrected, then did the old flip flop tailwhip a few times before carreening off the road. It was like the front right wheel just started sliding. I have witnesses that said there was nothing in the road - and it looked like the car just lost control for no reason.

[Tiny]

Not really - i was driving normally, and the car just started to "wash". It pulled to the right enought to have me at the edge of the road - then i corrected, then did the old flip flop tailwhip a few times before carreening off the road. It was like the front right wheel just started sliding. I have witnesses that said there was nothing in the road - and it looked like the car just lost control for no reason.

You started to lose it through the turn, you got out of the gas and over compensated? That would put you into a decent spin without any mechanical failure. Novice drivers at the track do it all the time.

[posthondaremoval]

You started to lose it through the turn, you got out of the gas and over compensated? That would put you into a decent spin without any mechanical failure. Novice drivers at the track do it all the time.

I understand your point - i however know what an overcompensation feels like - been on the skidpad plenty - and that is what happened after the first slip. the first slip however happened at 40 mph in a 40 mph turn in perfect sunny weather. the car was tracking fine and just started to slide. no hard turn at all here. we are talking about a gradual left hand bend. Also - i didnt get out of the gas completely - i tried counter, gas, break - everything - there was no bringing it back.

[ScoobyNubieToo!]

Well at least you didn't hit full boost at 12mph and lose control.....sux bro!

[reeksti]

sorry to hear man

[wgknestrick]

I understand your point - i however know what an overcompensation feels like - been on the skidpad plenty - and that is what happened after the first slip. the first slip however happened at 40 mph in a 40 mph turn in perfect sunny weather. the car was tracking fine and just started to slide. no hard turn at all here. we are talking about a gradual left hand bend. Also - i didnt get out of the gas completely - i tried counter, gas, break - everything - there was no bringing it back.


Somehow I doubt we are getting the full story here because of the following:

Why were you still traveling at 40mph when you hit the tree if you were driving @ 40mph around the turn? Did your brakes go out too, along with your steering shaft breaking? Fishtailing will scrub a good deal of speed too. Seriously, you wrecked your car (luckily no one was injured), and at least you didn't hurt yourself either.

My take on it is this from the information so far:

You were traveling at 60+mph around the turn. Hit a bump that unsettled the car. Car then starting to fishtail from over correction, decellerated 20mph and then hit a tree.

Cars don't fishtail (especially FWD) uncontrollably at 40mph. This is why the insurance Co. is not buying your story (because they aren't stupid).

I'm sorry about your misfortune, but just fess up to it, learn from the experience, and face the consequences (sp).

[resisTm3]

did the road have any kind of imperfectoins in it? maybe grabed your wheel and you werent ready for it?

[smoger]

Adam,.. i've noticed once or twice in turns that my car seemed to steer more in one direction than it should. like ill be tracking around a curve, and then it will steer in more for no apparant reason. nothing uncontrollable though, and my suspension is far from stock so who knows.

im def. gonna have it looked over soon though. def. keep us updated and sorry to hear about the car

[bastid]

"Car has been modified using aftermarket racing parts. Engine Cradel is also damaged causing possible power steering failure. Dodge has put a powertrain restriction on the car due to the above mentioned situations."

From someone on an SRT Forum. Does this sound at all familiar? Good luck with resolving your issues.

[accord_racer90]

i herd a bunc of crap bout failurs in the srt4 this problem iv herd about to let me ask you this where did you get it from. did the air bags deplow and did the bolt that holds the seat belt down break cuz iv herd a few storys about that and if you got it from jeff deambrosio take it back and theyll give you a choice of any car on the lot only if it was a mechanical problem

[smoger]

i herd a bunc of crap bout failurs in the srt4 this problem iv herd about to let me ask you this where did you get it from. did the air bags deplow and did the bolt that holds the seat belt down break cuz iv herd a few storys about that and if you got it from jeff deambrosio take it back and theyll give you a choice of any car on the lot only if it was a mechanical problem

and where did you hear that?

[StealthTC]

I had an 03 SRT and the only problems I ever had with it was I snapped axles (car was slammed) so partially my fault

[accord_racer90]

and where did you hear that?
this dude a friend of mine knew had an srt4 and was goin around a turn doin like 70 lost controll and smacked into a wall or somthin dont ask how he lived but when he hit the seat belt system failed when it locked up it pulled the whole
part that bolts the seat belt to the car out of the floor i geuss and on top of all that the air bags dident go off so he went back to good old jeff d over it and to avoid a law suit they gave hime his choice of any car on the lot meaning if he wanted a viper the dumb ass could have it but no he went for another srt4
said the viper was to much on inshurance

[DoubleOughtCel]

this dude a friend of mine knew had an srt4 and was goin around a turn doin like 70 lost controll and smacked into a wall or somthin dont ask how he lived but when he hit the seat belt system failed when it locked up it pulled the whole
part that bolts the seat belt to the car out of the floor i geuss and on top of all that the air bags dident go off so he went back to good old jeff d over it and to avoid a law suit they gave hime his choice of any car on the lot meaning if he wanted a viper the dumb ass could have it but no he went for another srt4
said the viper was to much on inshurance

:roll:

I believe the thread starters story more.

[smoger]

this dude a friend of mine knew had an srt4 and was goin around a turn doin like 70 lost controll and smacked into a wall or somthin dont ask how he lived but when he hit the seat belt system failed when it locked up it pulled the whole
part that bolts the seat belt to the car out of the floor i geuss and on top of all that the air bags dident go off so he went back to good old jeff d over it and to avoid a law suit they gave hime his choice of any car on the lot meaning if he wanted a viper the dumb ass could have it but no he went for another srt4
said the viper was to much on inshurance

:rofl: you either REALLY need attention or you're REALLY gullible

[accord_racer90]

:roll:

I believe the thread starters story more.
i dont dought that you do but this story was told to me all i know is he had an srt4 and he wrecked it

[accord_racer90]

:rofl: you either REALLY need attention or you're REALLY gullible
probabley the second 1

[CarbonIS]

i dont dought that you do but this story was told to me all i know is he had an srt4 and he wrecked it



where did you learn to spell? lol



And as for the story, did you check tie rods and everything? have you been
able to look at the car? I know this might be unrelated but Mazda had some problems in 99 with the millenium having tie rods just snap and sending people
off the road. several lemon law cases were filed from it. so it does happen...

[OutOfStock]

i herd a bunc of crap bout failurs in the srt4 this problem iv herd about to let me ask you this where did you get it from. did the air bags deplow and did the bolt that holds the seat belt down break cuz iv herd a few storys about that and if you got it from jeff deambrosio take it back and theyll give you a choice of any car on the lot only if it was a mechanical problem

Because everyone should believe a person that can barely spell three words right and is to cool for periods.

Sorry for your loss

[OptiCon]

...and is to cool for periods....

Pssst... it's "Too". :thumbup:

[TNTramair]

I think we have a perfect case of someone with "too much" power and the innability to control such vehicle.
i work for a chrysler dealer and have access to all the tsb's and vehicle info..I havent seen any related to stuff breaking on the suspension...i can assure you it would have been recalled if this was the case.

[Fourbanger]

I lost control of my srt coming off the bridge in philly (from essington) i was probably doing well over 100 but i wasnt really looking at my spedo... anyway

I also lost the back end (it was a left bend) it slid out to the right i countered thought i had it then it went to the left. I couldnt control or counter that one probably b/c the tires were so hot and b/c of momentum. It slid out and i managed to straighten it out, only backwards. I locked up the brakes put my thumbs outside the steering wheel and closed my eyes waiting for my time. But it took to long for me to hit the wall so i opened them and BAM theres the wall. F'd up the left side, the wheels were bent in from the bottom b/c the wall protruded out at the base to absorb impact.

I guess what im trying to say is that my 05 didnt have anything happen to it like your talking about. Sorry to hear its totaled, as im sure you know the engine is the only thing of any value in the car.....
Sounds like your SOL my friend, be thankful you were unharmed and learn from it.


I might have my car at the end of the month, they already had it for two months. This thread makes me thankful that my insurance company is even fixing it for me. Good luck man.

[smoger]

I lost control of my srt coming off the bridge in philly (from essington) i was probably doing well over 100 but i wasnt really looking at my spedo... anyway

I also lost the back end (it was a left bend) it slid out to the right i countered thought i had it then it went to the left. I couldnt control or counter that one probably b/c the tires were so hot and b/c of momentum. It slid out and i managed to straighten it out, only backwards. I locked up the brakes put my thumbs outside the steering wheel and closed my eyes waiting for my time. But it took to long for me to hit the wall so i opened them and BAM theres the wall. F'd up the left side, the wheels were bent in from the bottom b/c the wall protruded out at the base to absorb impact.

I guess what im trying to say is that my 05 didnt have anything happen to it like your talking about. Sorry to hear its totaled, as im sure you know the engine is the only thing of any value in the car.....
Sounds like your SOL my friend, be thankful you were unharmed and learn from it.


I might have my car at the end of the month, they already had it for two months. This thread makes me thankful that my insurance company is even fixing it for me. Good luck man.

wow, driving over a bridge and taking curves at over 100mph..

very responsible driving. :thumbup: definitely something to be so proud about.

[markley02]

It sounds like you just understeered and then you tapped the brakes causing the fronts to get traction and then spin you around.

wow, that was a run on sentence!

[Fourbanger]

wow, driving over a bridge and taking curves at over 100mph..

very responsible driving. :thumbup: definitely something to be so proud about.
Never meant to sound proud just sharing my story. Thanks for the sarcasm :thumbup:

[max2k1]

Jesusu Christ Rinko, no wonder you dissappeared for so long

[05Accent]

damn sorry for ur loss hope ur alright. iv never heard of that happening.

this dude a friend of mine knew had an srt4 and was goin around a turn doin like 70 lost controll and smacked into a wall or somthin dont ask how he lived but when he hit the seat belt system failed when it locked up it pulled the whole
part that bolts the seat belt to the car out of the floor i geuss and on top of all that the air bags dident go off so he went back to good old jeff d over it and to avoid a law suit they gave hime his choice of any car on the lot meaning if he wanted a viper the dumb ass could have it but no he went for another srt4
said the viper was to much on inshurance

:roll:

I believe the thread starters story more.

accord racer90 just got http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f303/05accent/kick.gif