On Easter Monday, I had some spare time while my Mrs was out so I decided to paint my calipers black which has been on the to-do list for a while now. The 100k km service is coming up soon so I thought I'd check pads, rotors and rotate wheels while I was at it.
BOV wasn't bouncing back and quick as I was wanting either so I fixed that by shimming the valve up.
Everything went well until I took it for a spin to see how the BOV adjustment went.
Kids, whenever you play with brakes, be sure to pump the pistons back out as soon as you get back behind the wheel.
The whole day I was telling myself to do this but when she was back on the ground, I completely forgot.
I drove out the driveway and onto the street (no need for braking).
2nd gear.
3rd gear.
T intersection coming up better brake. OH NO!!! There's NOTHING behind the pedal!
PUMP PUMP PUMP PUMP.
Brakes still no avail.
T intersection right infront of me.
HARD LEFT.
Not enough space.
Nature strip.
Garden.
Small wooden post.
I thought that was the last of it. It wasn't.
There happens to be a massive storm water drain thing right there and the XT took a plunge.
BAM! Into the mud.
Still had enough momentum to get half way up the other side and then come to a stop.
Ran back home (150m away) and grabbed dad. Packed the RX330 with a snatch strap and a few planks of wood. After a few attempts, it miraculously crawled out of the ditch and I was able to get it back home and have a good look at it.
Somehow, there was minimal panel damage. Bent passenger side sill where it rested on the concrete, a few dings in the front bar and cracked paint, etc. Sucks because that bar is only a few months old
...and a small chip out of a headlight.Something weird has happened to the wheels though. The passenger side front wheel is sitting very far back in the wheel well. I can't see anything bent underneath the car but will take it to the mechanics tomorrow and get them to have a good look over it and see what needs to be fixed...
Anyway, here's the carnage –
Considering myself very fortunate with how this turned out.
If I'd turned any tighter, I would've ended up in upside down because of the way the drain barrier falls away.
If I hadn't turned enough, the car would be totalled as I missed a concrete pole holding the fence up by about 10cm!
If I'd been any higher off the ground (or without any other suspension/handling modifications) it probably would've rolled because of the angle I took the corner.
If I'd been any lower, I would've taken the whole front end of the car off!
Was going to try and fix it myself but new parts are so damn expensive! Will fix it up with insurance once I save up for the excess :p
