Feeling like a prize idiot. I took a big hit to the offside wheels having hit a central reservation kerb. Two tyres dead and two alloys with chunks out of them. Luckily there was a tyre place just up the road for new tyres, but their tracking ramp was unavailable. The car is driving massively out of kilter and the ABS light is coming on when going round corners, so it needs the tracking done ASAP. 

Does anyone know of anywhere that can do the tracking on a MY18 O3 this afternoon in the Redditch/South Birmingham area?

Edited 26 May, 20188 yr by wg100

Chemix in Stourbridge have had good reports from my family. Not had to use them myself but my car freak relatives have and say they are good. 

A bit further away but worth the journey, I have used A-line in Dudley in the past and they are very good with Hunter 4 wheel alignment.

 

Its on a first come first served basis and the knowledgeable chap there was Kevin (if I remember correctly).

 

it used to be £10 check and £50 for 4 wheel alignment though that may have changed.

Any damage to the alloys? (Beyond the obvious missing chunks) 

 

I'd be surprised if they're still straight and true

Just checked, price gone up a small amount. See

 

http://www.alineyourcar.co.uk/prices

 

I’d be worried too about if the wheels were straight, I’d get it checked. They use the outside of the rims to set up the car.

Looks to only be the chunks. To the eye anyway, how could I check otherwise?

26 minutes ago, wg100 said:

Looks to only be the chunks. To the eye anyway, how could I check otherwise?

I suppose you could jack it up and rotate to check, but you’d need a dial test indicator to properly see if it was a small amount, I would guess a good tyre place (or the alignment place) should be able to check, you could always phone and ask, I’m sure they get it all the time.

 

I don’t know if they are repairable or if you’ll have to get replacements.

 

Hope you get it sorted out soon.

Edited 26 May, 20188 yr by Greenliner1

So... tracking has been done at a tyre place, so not the all singing all dancing Hunter wheel alignment. Unsurprisingly the front wheel was quite out of true. That has been rectified, however on completion of the tracking I noticed that the front wheel has been shifted backwards. There's only around 10-15mm clearance from the back of the wheel arch and there's also a droning noise whilst driving. I think this is going to be an insurance job 

Spoken to my insurers. Due to the front wheel being displaced, their system is telling them that the car is a write off! I'm gutted as it's the first incident I've had in 24 years of driving.

The computer might be saying possible damage greater than 60% of cars value, but thankfully computers are not yet replacing loss adjusters, and examination, the repairers assessment / examination,

then the quote / price on parts and repairs.

 

/
Which Insurer are you unfortunate to be dealing with?

Edited 26 May, 20188 yr by Offski

15 minutes ago, Offski said:

The computer might be saying possible damage greater than 60% of cars value, but thankfully computers are not yet replacing loss adjusters, and examination, the repairers assessment / examination,

then the quote / price on parts and repairs.

 

/
Which Insurer are you unfortunate to be dealing with?

Admiral. 

 

I’d considered the repair route, but given the complexities of the 4WD system and possible chassis/suspension damage, I thought the risks of future issues were too great so will start again...

1 hour ago, Offski said:

The computer might be saying possible damage greater than 60% of cars value, but thankfully computers are not yet replacing loss adjusters, and examination, the repairers assessment / examination,

then the quote / price on parts and repairs.

 

/
Which Insurer are you unfortunate to be dealing with?

 

I agree with George.  To suggest writing off a 2017 Scout on the basis that a wheel has been punched back 15mm is astonishing 

 

Unless they know something we don't, this surely needs proper investigation.  Bent and broken mechanicals can be replaced.  Chassis can be straightened/jigged and fubarred mounts can be replaced.  Not very re-assuring; glad I'm not with Admiral if this is their knee-jerk response.

 

Gaz

Edited 26 May, 20188 yr by V6TDI
Typo

I recon you have bent the lower control arm next to the rearward bush fixing point. Its weaker than the subframe so that it sacrifices itself before the subframe gets bent in harsh kerb strikes. Could be that you have metal on metal contact, control arm to frame so more noise is transmitted into the cabin when moving. From the alignment i guess Wheel camber is relatively OK (?) so the susp upright should be OK.

 

Crank the steering over and check the lower arms behind the wheels between left and right sides. they should be the same shape.

 

New wheels & Tyres required for sure. Wouldn't risk using those again.

Edited 26 May, 20188 yr by BigEjit

Sorry to hear this Will, lovely looking car from what I saw of it during my visit.

 

Think you're right to go with another car, cars are too complicated now days to risk wife & children in a car that just ain't right

58 minutes ago, BigEjit said:

I recon you have bent the lower control arm next to the rearward bush fixing point. Its weaker than the subframe so that it sacrifices itself before the subframe gets bent in harsh kerb strikes. Could be that you have metal on metal contact, control arm to frame so more noise is transmitted into the cabin when moving. From the alignment i guess Wheel camber is relatively OK (?) so the susp upright should be OK.

 

Crank the steering over and check the lower arms behind the wheels between left and right sides. they should be the same shape.

 

New wheels & Tyres required for sure. Wouldn't risk using those again.

I did have a look whilst the wheel was off and nothing looked obviously bent out of shape. Have a definite droning noise similar to when I’ve had a wheel bearing on the way out.

Whilst I agree that a write off is possibly an overkill, I’m also quite pleased/surprised that they’re prepared to do this on the basis of the information provided to the over the phone. I would always be wondering after a repair whether something else might have been affected.

Once the vehicle is examined and costed we will find out if classed as an uneconomic repair for the insurer and a Class N.

I seriously doubt it.

Even if they have to have a repairer providing a courtesy car for 4 weeks and then a rebuild of the front suspension, drive shaft, braking and new wheel and tyres.  Now if the gearbox is gubbed that will change things a bit.

Edited 26 May, 20188 yr by Offski

Will have to see what the insurers say when the loss dept is back at work on Tuesday. As it’s less than a year old, they could replace with a similar age/spec vehicle. There are a few ex demonstrators on Autotrader. For peace of mind, I’d rather the car is someone else’s problem now! 

This is where the front wheel is sitting now. Barely has the clearance at the back of the wheel arch from full lock L to R.

Edited 27 May, 20188 yr by wg100

Suspension components will bend before the chassis does. I’d expect it to cost a couple of thousand to fix but there’s no way that should be a write off. 

46 minutes ago, Dr Zoidberg said:

Suspension components will bend before the chassis does. I’d expect it to cost a couple of thousand to fix but there’s no way that should be a write off. 

Yes, but then again, if the insurer is content for it to be classed as a total loss, then would I be better off getting a new(ish) replacement vs a repair?

 

I'm sure whoever the car gets taken away by will end up repairing it to sell on.

'If' they are then good if you are happy with that. 

But you are not at the stage of having a write off until the car is inspected and the damage assessed.

 

Nonsense like writing off cars easily is why insurance is expensive for so many.

Then the rip off of so many getting a living out of turning a simply accident repair into a golden goose that lays gold eggs.

Edited 27 May, 20188 yr by Offski