Winter Incident Project

[megaderk]

this is a simple little post about my first experience with body work and RWD in the snow. if anyone has tips or help to offer, i'll appreciate it. i'll probably be asking for it a bit on here. and i know i dont have any current pics, i cant find my camera, but will have some up in a few days.

-The Story:

Yesterday was the first snow i've even driven in with RWD. and learning to drive RWD in the snow in the 10 minutes it takes to get to school on ice and fresh snow didnt turn out to well. Just a few blocks from my house, not even out of the sub-division yet, my back end kicked out, usually in this situation i would take my foot off the gas an countersteer n straighten out n keep driving, in the rain atleast... Well i did all of that but unlike in the rain, my back end kept going. i found myself backwards headed for a cement streetlight goin about 20 MPH and did indeed hit the pole, just alittle left of the center of my car. drove it home n got another ride to school. after school, i took the 240 out once more but this time took it slow and learned how to drive in the ice n snow.

-The Damage:

cant find my camera right now so i dont have pics of the damage yet but ill do what i can n try to get some up in the next few days.

I'm fine and mechanically the 240's fine but the back end is a bit screwed up.-tail lights cracked, -bumper support is crushed in a bit n pulled the bumper with it, -bent the bezzel between the lights n bumper, -and dented the trunk lid.

I dont want to go about paying a body shop probably what i paid just to buy the car, possibly more. so im garaging the 240 for a bit and attempting to do the repairs myself and make a learning experience through it. if things dont work out, then oh well, atleast i tried.

-The Plan:

from what i can see, this is what i am up against.

-replace the tail light-straighten out the bezzel,-hammer out the dent in the trunk,-straighten out the bumper support,-and pound out or straighten any more dents i find.

and finally see where i am from there.

-Where I'm At:

-the left tail light is out (currently in the process of finding a replacement)-now i have to go about getting the bumper off.

I'll keep everyone updated as i work on it.

this is an old pic of my car, im using it as a reference since i dont have the damage pics yet.the pole hit between the left tail light and the 2

PICTURES!

i took it to MAACO today to get an estimate and they said if they were to do a ****ty job and make it just look good then it will come out to at the cheapest $1000 and thats with me getting parts the parts cheaper then they can. he said the trunk lid alone would be $500. but i could get one online for like what? $150? he was suprised when i said i could get tails for $60.

anyways, i found a good coupe with a blown head gasket online going for like 750 so im looking into that. the guy at MAACO even agreed itd be cheaper to go with that n swap **** over then to fix this one.

i finally got the trunk lid to shut and latch today.the metal in the spare tire well is actually folded into its self and i guess layered is a good way to put it. they said its to much work n money and not worth it unless i had some real attachment to it. i admit i loved this car and its been a great first car. but i dont love it that much.

heres the pics.


























Modified by megaderk at 7:21 AM 12/5/2008

[edwinS13]

damn that sucks, well i bought mine damaged already in the rear which is pretty bad here are some pics...

the chassis seems to be bent but i will be straightening it with a chain and a tree and a couple RPM's

[megaderk]

my chassis is pushed in just a bit into the spare tire well. i gotta pull that out, and straighten the trunk as well but cant seem to find a way to reach it. all the "under skeleton" under the trunk lid is in the way so i cant pound it. how can i get to it?

how do i get the bumper support off?i read a write up off google that said it was the 4 bolts covered by the rubber stoppers n then it would come right off. but it didnt... mayeb its rusted on? i dont know. my car has alot of rust. almost every bolt on the underbody.
Modified by megaderk at 4:12 PM 12/2/2008

[ilovesideways]

Undo lots of tiny little bolts and nuts and I will come off...there is a write-up here somewhere about it but it's pretty straightforward to just take all the bolts off. Go to a body shop and have them pull the dent out (should be like 50 bucks) and then do the rest of the work yourself.

[mattblancarte]

usually in this situation i would take my foot off the gas an countersteer n straighten out n keep driving

That's askin' for it.

[#1gun]

i dont know if i missed something but i dont see any damage

[Bmxandcars]

Sounds like fun. Put some heavy stuff in the back of your car for traction.GL with the fix.

[brizanden]

That's askin' for it.

not really? as long as he isnt heavily breaking and no gas this should work.

[hai1206vn]

taking foot off the gas when the tail slides guarantees a spin

[hbpignosePA]

to the OP sucks about the car hopefully you can get it lookin decent, but imho diy with no body experience is gonna look rather crappy at least have someone help you thats got the know how

or leave it, battle scars are cool right?

to edwin let us know how that works with the tree... personally if your too cheap to take it to a frame shop than you deserve to mess it up more than it already is

seriously thats not gonna work and will probably completely f*5k up your car entirely but hey make sure you take pictures so we can watch

[megaderk]

That's askin' for it.

what should i do when the back end kicks out?

iv never been taught what to do or been given tips. all iv heard time n time again was to put weight in the back. since it snowed over night n i didnt expect it, all i could do was put 2 of my old rims n tires in the trunk. from what i have figured out though is that when the back end kicks out, if you hit the gas, you keep going.

[megaderk]

i dont know if i missed something but i dont see any damage

thats an old pic of my car. i dont have pics of the damage yet. i just used it as a reference.

[brizanden]

taking foot off the gas when the tail slides guarantees a spin

lmao...... really like seriously.... your right i have never had my back end slide, and if i did i totally spun out cause i let off the gas... ****ing rediculous.OP u did it right.

[ilovesideways]

what should i do when the back end kicks out?

iv never been taught what to do or been given tips. all iv heard time n time again was to put weight in the back. since it snowed over night n i didnt expect it, all i could do was put 2 of my old rims n tires in the trunk. from what i have figured out though is that when the back end kicks out, if you hit the gas, you keep going.

Not really, It's a manual right? Well if you let off the gas it will cause the car to slow down (i.e in the snow probably be like locking the wheels) which would make your slide even worse. Plus if you turn the wheel the oppisite direction the car is going and it's sliding it's going to make you spin no matter what. Best thing to do is to keep the gas at the same pressure and steer the car the direction it is going. Then started slowing down. very slowly....

EDIT: I have only been driving for about 3 years so take it for what it's worth however I drive in Washingtons endless rain almost year round...and constant snow (deep snow and horrible ice) in Leavensworth during the winter where I spend most my time. Driven my 240 through all of it

[hbpignosePA]

weight in the back isnt always a good thing, cuz once you start to slide, it propels you or so i was told

i think your best bet is to engage the clutch( if MT) cuz that would cut power to the wheels... idk thats just me rambling, someone else can back me up

or get a 500 pos to drive in the winter or do public transit

beater car was my best upgrade imho

[brizanden]

dude... like i said. i have no clue what im talking about. Im not rocking bald *** tires and my car is actually fwd and is a autotragic and it never snows nor rains in ohio. so like i said i have no ****ing clue what im talking about. my bad master driver.

[megaderk]

to the OP sucks about the car hopefully you can get it lookin decent, but imho diy with no body experience is gonna look rather crappy at least have someone help you thats got the know how

or leave it, battle scars are cool right?

seriously thats not gonna work and will probably completely f*5k up your car entirely but hey make sure you take pictures so we can watch

im trying to find help while paying as little as possible but in the mean time, im getting what i can done while i can.

[ilovesideways]

dude... like i said. i have no clue what im talking about. Im not rocking bald *** tires and my car is actually fwd and is a autotragic and it never snows nor rains in ohio. so like i said i have no ****ing clue what im talking about. my bad master driver.

It's all good, everyone makes mistakes. You are forgiven

[megaderk]

Not really, It's a manual right? Well if you let off the gas it will cause the car to slow down (i.e in the snow probably be like locking the wheels) which would make your slide even worse. Plus if you turn the wheel the oppisite direction the car is going and it's sliding it's going to make you spin no matter what. Best thing to do is to keep the gas at the same pressure and steer the car the direction it is going. Then started slowing down. very slowly....

its an autotragic so no 2nd gear starts and no clutch. would kicking it in neutral be a good substitute? or just stupid?

[ilovesideways]

Neutral wouldn't be a good idea, just leave it in drive if it's an auto.

[brizanden]

Neutral wouldn't be a good idea, just leave it in drive if it's an auto.

yeah and dont gas it. please dont listen to this guy.

[ilovesideways]

yeah of course you don't gas it otherwise you will continue sliding. Brizanden you are an idiot and are not contributing to this at all GTFO. I learned to drive in rain and snow and have driven in heavy rain/ice/fog/and snow since I learned to drive...

[spooled240]

if it's an auto put it in park and the car will stop and park

[ilovesideways]

if it's an auto put it in park and the car will stop and park

That's epic...I almost want to sig that lol

[megaderk]

if it's an auto put it in park and the car will stop and park

if only it were true.

[ishkabibble]

WTF, you do not take your foot off the gas when you start to slide in the snow. You make slight gas adjustments based on the severity of the slide, and countersteer. Branden, you are being a dolt as usual.

[ilovesideways]

^^^I.E: People in Ohio are braindead...

[brizanden]

WTF, you do not take your foot off the gas when you start to slide in the snow. You make slight gas adjustments based on the severity of the slide, and countersteer. Branden, you are being a dolt as usual.

you can so let go of the gas and countersteer ive done it so many times and never once spun out. My dad was the one that taught me that and he has been into auto racing for a long time. he even took one of those expensive *** driving classes at mid ohio and they told him under normal driving conditions ie road you let off. if your trying to carry speed then hell yeah you still want some gas u just do throttle adjustments like you said.im so very very sorry but....Quote » If you´re on the accelerator, let off the gas. That will shift weight forward onto your front wheels.[/quote]found at http://www.oregon.gov/OSP/PATR...shtmlohhhh yeahhhh about that... i hate it when im right.
Modified by brizanden at 10:26 PM 12/2/2008

[brizanden]

yeah of course you don't gas it otherwise you will continue sliding. Brizanden you are an idiot and are not contributing to this at all GTFO. I learned to drive in rain and snow and have driven in heavy rain/ice/fog/and snow since I learned to drive...

your not special ohio is just as bad. and if were gonna play this gay game ive been driving in it longer. so your argument is null and void.

[mattblancarte]

Well I was talking about snow driving in particular, and letting off the throttle 100% is what caused his rear wheels to lose grip. Had he feathered the throttle and tried to carry the current small amount of grip they had... there may have been a recovery.

Who knows, though. None of us were there in the cockpit at the time it happened.