ZX tried to kill me!

Unread post by **Jon** » 25 Feb 2003, 13:58

<font color="blue">This morning I approached a roundabout in my ZX, a roundabout that I've been rounnd every morning for the last 6 years. I was doing about 40mph which is not excessive. Its a 2 lane wide roundabout and you can see for miles if there anything coming, so I did not need to stop. Suddenly, it was like I was on ice, the front went completely, I corrected quickly and the back swung right round, bought this under control (like watching a man with his hands in a basket of snakes) for the front to go again. Eventually bought under control by not having my feet near any of the pedals and letting car come to a halt without hitting anything.
As this was a bit of a major incident at 7.00am, and it was not icey and I was not going that fast, I pulled up to inspect my vehicle and the road. I was horrified to find the the LH alloy wheel had big cracks on the innner edge by the cooling holes, and the wheel had also made serious contact with the caliper shoulder.Changed the wheel (BTW the nuts were still tight) and drove cautiously to work. Now taking car to local Cit specialists at lunchtime.
I've never seen anything like this. Has the wheel just failed under load? Was there massive play in the wheel bearing, has something else failed? Its beyond me.I feel lucky I did not have a major accident.
Trvelling home tonight courtesy of First Great Western.
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tomsheppard · Unread post by **tomsheppard** » 25 Feb 2003, 14:06

Ouch! I wonder if the caliper has become dislodged? You would almost certainly have heard/felt that much slop in a wheel bearing. Another explanation is that you picked up a stone or a piece of metal that became caught between the wheel and the caliper.

shaunthesheep · Unread post by **shaunthesheep** » 25 Feb 2003, 14:16

good god jon,
glad you were'nt hurt, let us know what the cit specialist said.
dom

Unread post by **Jon** » 25 Feb 2003, 16:45

<font color="blue">Well it wasn't the ZX's fault, and it looks like Tom was correct. Just took my car to Cleaver cars, out local Cit Specialist who put it up on the MOT ramp, and jacked up the front. All bushes' joints bearings and the like were checked and all was OK.
Then removed the front wheels. The conclusion is that foreign object, probably something strong like a piece of metal got lodged between the wheel and caliper, causing an momentary lockup which is why the car suddenly went out of control. As I applied opposite lock to straighten up, it probably fell out again. The damage to the wheel and caliper seems to support this theory. I'm going to get a s.hand Volcane wheel tomorrow, there no other damage of any significance I'm pleased to report.
Moral of tale. Accidents happen when you least expect them, even on a clear road in good conditions and at low speed!</font id="blue">[B)]

tomsheppard · Unread post by **tomsheppard** » 25 Feb 2003, 17:00

I am glad you aren't hurt. steel disc wheels aren't so pretty but they are safer however this one is a real freak event. Keep an ear open for driveshaft and wheel bearing noises though, Jon; You might have shock loaded something.