Subaru Bizarre AWD Failure in Accident

[David Root]

I just racked up my 2012 Forester in a gas station. backing in to a pump spot, looking backwards, then I hit the gas instead of the brake, Duh, and creased the bumper and front quarterpanel of a GMC Envoy next to me, not to mention my front driver's door and quarterpanel.

Bad enuff, but here's the bizarre part. After doing the paperwork with the Envoy owners I pulled my car forward and parked in a parking spot to get it out of the way.

More paperwork/phone calls, then when it was all done I put my car in reverse to back it up-- nothing -- she no go, neither backwards or forwards. So I get out and look at the front end--the front wheels are splayed out in opposite directions!!

Anyone able to explain what happened here??

[jelle]

Oh, no!!

[matt h]

(deleted)

[David Root]

That's it. I don't know what r&p is, but I know these drives have transfer cases/transaxles or some similar means of power transfer to the wheels. Beyond that I have no clue.

Seems like she's a-broke and I got at least a $500 deductible coming up. Will know more after the repair shop I had it towed to looks it over on Tuesday.

[ToneMerc]

That's it. I don't know what r&p is, but I know these drives have transfer cases/transaxles or some similar means of power transfer to the wheels. Beyond that I have no clue.

Seems like she's a-broke and I got at least a $500 deductible coming up. Will know more after the repair shop I had it towed to looks it over on Tuesday.

Sounds like a transfer case issue, I'm assuming the "splayed" wheels is extreme negative camber( top of tire tilted in) condition?

TM

[David Root]

No the wheels are vertical but pointing outwards in opposite directions.

[matt h]

(deleted)

[Regan]

Ouch! Sorry to hear that David!
Could possibly be a popped joint in the steering linkage I guess.
Honestly maybe this is a good thing, there could have been a weak link in your system waiting for the opportunity to break and you managed to do it in a relatively low danger environment.
Imagine if it was something that coulda broke hitting a pothole on the way up to your place. Hope its not too costly.
Regan

[Leo_Gnardo]

Honestly maybe this is a good thing, there could have been a weak link in your system waiting for the opportunity to break and you managed to do it in a relatively low danger environment.

I agree. Way better for your front wheels to develop strabismus while NOT zooming down the highway. May be a blessing in disguise despite $500 insurance deductible. I hope your mechanic will be able to tell you wha' hoppen.

[da Geezer]

Honestly maybe this is a good thing, there could have been a weak link in your system waiting for the opportunity to break and you managed to do it in a relatively low danger environment.
Imagine if it was something that coulda broke hitting a pothole on the way up to your place. Hope its not too costly.
Regan

If this turns out to be the case, then I agree...a VERY good thing.

Exact thing happened to a good friend....going down a mountain, around a slight curve @55mph when the steering linkage simply snaps. Sends him out of control into an oncoming car. He was seriously injured, but survived. Little (infant) girl in the other car was strapped into her car seat and could not be removed before it burst into flames.
He suffers from the guilt and trama to this day.

Be VERY thankful for this to happen when and where it did.

G

[cbass]

Man that sucks glad you're OK . I had a ball joint break once fortunately I was in my drive way when it happened. Had a wheel come off once it was the back so I didn't lose steering scared the crap out of me though

[martin manning]

Sorry to hear about you accident! Failed steering linkage is what I was thinking too. You can imagine if you try to move in reverse with the front wheels not tied together both wheels will steer outward (tire contact patch is outboard of the steering axis). I suspect that if they steer too far the CV joints become locked or break.

[David Root]

Thanx guys! Looks like I might indeed have avoided a worse situation. Geezer, that was a tragic accident, I could never imagine anything like that.

What I don't get is why my situation happened in a 2 year old car with less than 17,000 miles on it.

Subarus have a reputation for holding up very well as they age. Unfortunately mechanical warranties don't apply in an accident situation, at least in my case this failure did not cause the accident.

[Leo_Gnardo]

at least in my case this failure did not cause the accident.

note winky eye smiley thing. Dont' tell 'em THAT.

[matt h]

(deleted)