Accompanying image for Seventy degrees, sunshine, and stuck in a driveway

 

Seventy degrees, sunshine, and stuck in a driveway

An uncharacteristically-beautiful Wisconsin Easter weekend and I wrenched on my Mustang instead of cruising in it.

Build Blog
 
SVT_MAN - Apr 19, 2017

 

Last Saturday was a glorious spring day, filled with sunshine and warmth here in southern Wisconsin.

Being that it was Easter weekend, the roads were bound to be busy.  But the nice weather summoned yet more vehicles out to the road, some of which had recently awoken from their winter hibernation.

My car was guilty too:  a 1999 Ford Mustang GT that had been sitting all winter in my garage.

Although I was eager to get my car out on the road, before I set out, I was thinking back to how much my car has changed over the span of the last year. 

In May of 2016, I started modifying the car extensively.  The biggest modification by far was the suspension - which I replaced with an Eibach Pro-Street S coilover package.

Overall, the suspension has been a great modification.  The car rides and handles much better than it ever has.

Or at least it did.

Late Saturday night, as I was performing a Y-turn in my girlfriend's driveway ...

SNAP!


I knew immediately that something vitally important in the suspension had broken.  I got out of the car and noticed that the  entire left-front side of the car was suddenly down on its haunches, and I saw a metal washer roll underneath the car. 

Not good.

After I popped the hood, I immediately diagnosed what happened. 

The strut shaft had completely sheared off.   I was in disbelief.

I couldn't fathom how this happened let alone how I was going to get home.

Lucky for me, my girlfriend's father is quite a resourceful man.  After explaining to him what happened, he took me over to his shop where he proceeded to weld the strut shaft back onto the body of the strut.

He worked some kind of miracle, frankly.

The next morning, yes, on Easter - I put my car back together with his help.  Although I had some moments where I was questioning whether I was putting it back together correctly, later that day I gingerly drove the vehicle home under its own power. 

The car made it the 30 miles back to my house without incident.

What's next?


I'm not sure, to be honest.  I'm currently in the process of a warranty claim with Eibach who made the kit.  I explained to them what happened, and although they were obviously not thrilled that I had no pictures to document what happened, they are agreeing to let me return the product and have them rebuild it.

I am thankful for that because I am sure that other companies might not be so generous.

So the bad news is that the car will be down for a few weeks.  The good news is that I might not have to pay for anything other than shipping it back to Eibach.  (Which will be quite expensive since they are based out of California.)

I wish I had pictures for you of the incident, but I was too busy getting the car back together to remember to get any for you.

When I take the part back off the car, I'll make sure to post some updates.

 
 

 

Post a Comment Below

Recent Articles

Authored by SVT_MAN


 

Featured Vehicle

1999 Ford Mustang

Engine

Liters: 4.6

Cyliders: 8

Vehicle Category

American Muscle

Performance

0-60: 5.5 seconds

1/4 Mile: 14.0 seconds @ 98.0 mph

Top Speed: 142 mph


Horsepower: 260 @ 5250 rpm

Torque: 302 @ 4000 rpm


Transmission: Manual (MT)

Weight: 3200

Appearance

Exterior Color: Dark Satin Green

Interior Color: Saddle Leather

History

Mileage: 111000

Ownership: Currently Own

Overview

This is my weekend cruising car for driving on the backroads.

Modifications:
- K&N Cone Air Filter
- Smoked Headlights
- Eibach Pro Street Coilover Kit (set to lower about an inch)
- Mach 1 Grill Delete
- Raxiom LED Third Brake Light
- SVE FR500 Style Steering Wheel
- Torque Thrust IIs
- Sony MEX-XB100BT head unit
- Steeda Tri-ax Shifter
- Maximum Motorsports Full Length Subframe Connectors
- Steeda Bump Steer Kit
- Fully Independent Rear Suspension (from 2001 Cobra donor)
- Full Tilt Boogie Racing Bushings



  Upcoming Events

Cars & Coffee - STILLWATER
03/30/2024 @ 2024-03-30T15:00:00Z2024-03-30T19:00:00Z

Treasure Coast Cars & Coffee
03/31/2024 @ 2024-03-31T12:00:00Z2024-03-31T16:00:00Z

Another Sunday Morning Cruise Craig & Rancho
03/31/2024 @ 2024-03-31T13:30:00Z2024-03-31T16:30:00Z

Cars & Coffee
03/31/2024 @ 2024-03-31T14:00:00Z2024-03-31T17:00:00Z

Cars & Caffeine
04/06/2024 @ 2024-04-06T11:30:00Z2024-04-06T14:30:00Z

Cars & Coffee, Woodbridge, VA
04/06/2024 @ 2024-04-06T12:00:00Z2024-04-06T14:00:00Z

Tuttle Cars & Coffee - TUTTLE
04/06/2024 @ 2024-04-06T13:00:00Z2024-04-06T15:00:00Z

Kansas City BMW CCA Cars & Coffee
04/06/2024 @ 2024-04-06T14:00:00Z2024-04-06T16:00:00Z

Alexandria Cars & Coffee@Hollin Hall
04/07/2024 @ 2024-04-07T12:00:00Z2024-04-07T14:00:00Z

Another Sunday Morning Cruise Craig & Rancho
04/07/2024 @ 2024-04-07T13:30:00Z2024-04-07T16:30:00Z

Cars & Coffee
04/07/2024 @ 2024-04-07T15:30:00Z2024-04-07T17:30:00Z

Brunel TRs at Clevedon Cars and Coffee
04/13/2024 @ 2024-04-13T08:30:00Z2024-04-13T11:00:00Z

Cars and Coffee Chesapeake
04/13/2024 @ 2024-04-13T12:00:00Z2024-04-13T15:00:00Z

Fields BMW Cars & Coffee
04/13/2024 @ 2024-04-13T13:00:00Z2024-04-13T15:00:00Z

Tucson Cars & Coffee
04/13/2024 @ 2024-04-13T14:00:00Z2024-04-13T17:00:00Z

Devon Coffees & Cars - Takona @ Refuel SW
04/14/2024 @ 2024-04-14T08:00:00Z2024-04-14T11:00:00Z

Cars & Coffee at Silver Creek Golf Club
04/14/2024 @ 2024-04-14T13:00:00Z2024-04-14T15:00:00Z

Another Sunday Morning Cruise Craig & Rancho
04/14/2024 @ 2024-04-14T13:30:00Z2024-04-14T16:30:00Z

Myrtle Beach Car Club Cruise-In
04/14/2024 @ 2024-04-14T15:00:00Z2024-04-14T18:00:00Z

Cars & Coffee, Woodbridge, VA
04/20/2024 @ 2024-04-20T12:00:00Z2024-04-20T14:00:00Z

 
   View All Events