Very bad news

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Chris Abbott
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Very bad news

Post by Chris Abbott »

Yesterday my front suspension collapsed at 30mph and I fear my beloved BX will be written off.
There was no warning whatsoever, the threaded part of the lower ball joint came out of the housing, very strange and frightening.
The nearside front wheel turned 90 degrees, I couldn't control the car, it veered from my lane straight across the road and stopped at the kerb on the other side, its a miracle no was injured.
For those of you who don't know me my registration is a BX friendly one.
Its BXI 700, Ive already sent for a retention certificate from DVLA, if anybody is interested in the registration number .please contact me with an offer.
Im very sad to say that my BXing days are probabally up.
Cheers chris
Mothman

Re: Very bad news

Post by Mothman »

Bugger, thats a right pain. You say there was no warning at all? Its something we should all check then. Glad no one was hurt.

Best wishes bud, maybe a return to BXs in the future.

Andy
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Philip Chidlow
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Re: Very bad news

Post by Philip Chidlow »

So glad nobody was hurt. What a shock. I wish you the best of luck, and please, if your poor BX is to be scrapped - grab what you can! ;)
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Tinkley
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Re: Very bad news

Post by Tinkley »

Sorry to hear about the incident. As someone who hs suffered the 'Will not unscrew on pain of renewing hub' syndrome it is very unusual. Possible the folded tangs corroded through, but it still had to be free enouh to unscrew itself. Good to know everyone was OK.

Also had enough wear in the joint for this to happen too, but that one unscrewed as it should. Tend to use the Lemforder replacement ones.

Hopefully the damage is not so bad that enough parts can be salvaged from an already part scrap BX. Hope you have success with that route, good luck.
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electrokid
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Re: Very bad news

Post by electrokid »

Wow - good job you were only doing 30 - glad everyone is ok - what a bummer :(

I had front suspension failure on a Metro - a ball joint had seized and flexure eventually snapped it between the ball and the pin. Fortunately it gave me a few little 'warning swerves' which prompted me to pull over and have a look. Front wheels at different angles informed me not to drive it further.
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Thread Bear
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Re: Very bad news

Post by Thread Bear »

Merc had a habit of ball joint failure, wheel then coming up into the wing, un-steered and jamming. Normally at low speed manuvering as the force is higher, but at speed pulling the car to the side failed. This was a product of bad design, in my opinion. However no ball joint is 100% perfect and any sudden loss of control is a most unpleasant experience. I wonder if it is worse or not on a proper Citroen as the suspension will attempt to correct the unsupported wheel, meaning it does not lock up?

Is it not viable to claim the possible right off cheap and run another BX from it? Or has the experience put you off anyway.
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Tim Leech
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Re: Very bad news

Post by Tim Leech »

What damage has it done Chris? I know your TGD was in lovely condition. Let me know if want to sell any parts off it.
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sleepy0905
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Re: Very bad news

Post by sleepy0905 »

Sorry to hear that tim what a shame, the main thing is nobody was hurt.
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Tim Leech
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Re: Very bad news

Post by Tim Leech »

Aaron, good to see you back.
Lots of Motors, mostly semi broken....
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Tim Leech
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Re: Very bad news

Post by Tim Leech »

Theres a photo of this car on the facebook page and asides the popped driveshaft and the strut issues it looks undamaged.

I hope it can be saved as its mint and low mileage.
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Re: Very bad news

Post by Kitch »

Writing a car off just for that would be madness, in my opinion.
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Philip Chidlow
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Re: Very bad news

Post by Philip Chidlow »

Even I can tell that's far too good to scrap.
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Re: Very bad news

Post by Tinkley »

Tim Leech wrote:Theres a photo of this car on the facebook page.

?????

Easy to find when no address or link eh?
Mothman

Re: Very bad news

Post by Mothman »

Tinkley wrote:
Tim Leech wrote:Theres a photo of this car on the facebook page.

?????

Easy to find when no address or link eh?
It is easy to find, its on the BX Club page.

Andy
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Re: Very bad news

Post by Tinkley »

Mmmm maybe but I'm not signing up to F B K to see it!. If I did, the site would probably say Win 2k not supported etc etc, especially with Firefox 12 lol. No loss. A googly just gave me a 'music' club!.

Odd really, some FBook pages I can see fine like the Chevronics one etc etc.

Anyway no big deal, but I'll bet that car is salvable.
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