Wrecked!! - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

Style Wagon · 08-03-2009, 05:16 PM

So I was driving home last night down some back roads on the way home, and I look away for less than a second because one of my neighbors got a new truck, and when I look back... THERE IS A HUGE FULL GROWN OWL IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. So I hit the brakes, turn, but since it'd been raining, my car moved only like, 4 inches. So when my tires finally grab traction, my wheels are pointed off in the road, and I go flying off the road (doing about 30). I landed with the front left part of the bumper hitting first, then the back left (which was on a spare). Girlfriends dad came and pull me out (pull the car like a rag doll lol!) I drove it home (less than a mile) and when i turned left, i heard a rubbing noise, which i believe is just fender rubbing on tire. But the steering wheel vibrates back and forth very minutely. Woke up this morning with a flat also. Anything to expect when I take it in? I'm very suprised I didn't break the axle or anything.

Style Wagon · 08-03-2009, 05:20 PM

jmac57 · 08-03-2009, 05:49 PM

yeah as for the steering wheel jumping or vibrating or whatever i think its your control arm on that side... i have done that ... drove my girlfriends camry into a nice big curve lol woopsie, its not cheap to fix

jmac57 · 08-03-2009, 05:52 PM

oh yeah its probably just bent but youll need a new one unless your willing to get it fixed-ish and deal with less functionality

the94camryman · 08-03-2009, 10:09 PM

same thing happened to me, except it was a deer. i gaurantee the control arm is bent. and if the steering wheel is shaking badly, check the engine mounts. they dont seem to like harsh landings lol

Camry LE 94 · 08-03-2009, 10:59 PM

oh man sorry to hear about your crash. and to the guy above me, no, the mounts dont seem to like harsh landings. they definitely give out.

i would of just hit the owl though. shit, it's either your car which is your prized possession, or some random animal that shouldnt be in your way. if it was a deer, that would be a different story. although as humans, our reactions arent always up to par.

good luck with your car.

jmac57 · 08-03-2009, 11:39 PM

^^

hahahaha

Spitfire · 08-03-2009, 11:53 PM

owl hood ornament > Bending control arm

Sorry to hear what happened. i had the same thing happen the other day but involving a squirrel. doing 45 mph down 2 lane rd with cars on both sides. car on one side, huge ditch on other side, squirrel in middle. Lets just say my driver front tire got its head and the chevy z71 behind me finished the job. I feel bad but i still have my car. Hope to see u up and driving the wag again soon

I still want a wag as a 2nd car. would be amazing

jmac57 · 08-04-2009, 12:11 AM

yeah and although i do feel bad that your control arm is bent (as i am almost certain it is) there are some good owl jokes flyin around now lol

Chris Crash · 08-04-2009, 12:59 AM

Shit man, I tell you what.

Camry's are tough ass cars.

I rolled my Gen 4 in a ditch and all it did was dent it up a little and break the bead on the passengers tires.

But I would have just hit the owl. I did that to a possum the other night, haha. Right as I come to a stop, there's a thud and then a possum rolling in front of me. It was hilarious.

***projektvertx*** · 08-04-2009, 08:44 AM

When I saw the title to this thread, I pictured something much worst!! At least you are ok, a car is repairable. I'm not sure if insurance will pick up the tab thought, I don't know how that would work... Wildlife accident? Contact the owl and get is insurance info!!!!!

I would have hit the owl, but hey, there is no telling how you will react! Good luck with the car!

Style Wagon · 08-04-2009, 12:15 PM

and wouldn't you know that this isn't the first time this has happened. A car did a u-turn and almost hit me, and I look in the rear view to make sure it didn't do anything stupid, and I look back and see a huge bulldog in the road. I almost rolled it avoiding it. From now on i definitely will take the impact from the animal, it's just my knee jerk reaction to avoid them. Are there any comparison pictures of a broken and non broken engine mount or what a bent control arm looks like? I want to do a visual inspection if possible.

RichieRichJP · 08-04-2009, 01:21 PM

Seriously, whats with people with damaged axles lately!
Do I have to say that I'm selling axles again lol

DAT RICE · 08-04-2009, 03:38 PM

nice! I may be needing axles soon too. My camry ended up in a ditch on a rainy night a while ago. Since then the front wheels have been making squeals. Furthermore today, i wiped out going onto a ramp. i hit my wheels against the curb pretty hard. So i def need something repaired or replaced.