Technical What the hell happened

A couple of weekends ago I took the roadster to a small event(Rods and Rockabilly). On the way I went through some roadworks but at very low speed as it was controlled by a stop/go guy.
The road must have dropped away as we we p***ed through and there was a big bang and I thought at the time "what the hell was that". Didn't think much more about it until I was cleaning the car a few days ago and thought that the bottom of the grille looked "different".
Whatever was hit must have just caught the bottom of the surround and luckily not the insert.
Will have to remove radiator/grille shell for repairs. There is at least $500+ in repairs here.
I am at legal height 4inches and now might try my luck to see if the construction people will pay up.

 

That ****s.
Good luck.

 

Americans spend 109 billion a year on repairs to vehicles due to poor roads.****s to see your car damaged.in the United States they'd laugh at any claim.i hope your laws are different.if it wasn't discoverd and reported when it happend may be hard to prove.good luck

 

Up here they tried a new road topping on a main highway by my house. Basically a tar spray and then fine gravel was spread over, rolled and then the excess was swept off over a few days. During the day while they worked, they shut one lane at a time and reduced speed. At night for some reason they opened up both lanes. At 7am my son went to work in his newly painted (2 days on the road) Camaro, before they closed the p***ing lane for the day. . He got p***ed by a couple 4x4 trucks wanting to go full speed and throwing this pea gravel that was on the surface all over his black car. He had 9 chips in his new windshield and over 200 chips in his new paint. I went to the company supervisor and got a shrug in return, even though clearly they should not have had both lanes open with this loose material kind of stuck down, and there were no alternate routes. Hope you get somewhere, but I wouldn't hold your breath.

 

@hudson48 that ****s, hopefully they pay up. A mate of mine's son managed to get Vicroads to pay for a pair of new wheels a few years ago when he hit a trench that had been dug across the road (I think to lay a cable or pipe) and not filled. It was about 10 inches wide by about 3 to 4 inches deep and the only warning signs were a reduced speed limit from 100 km/h down to 80 and a rough surface sign (If you've ever driven in victoria you'll know that they appear about every 500 meters normally so aren't really taken seriously lol). when he hit the trench both the wheels on the left hand side of his car split clean down the middle, I also heard of 3 or 4 other cars that buckled wheels and one that lost control at that spot on that weekend. He did manage to get photos at the scene which they may ask for in your case, good luck anyway.

@PKap the "throw gravel at it and hope it sticks" method seems to be the preferred method for repairs to all but major roads around here, probably due to cost.

 

the joys of drivin' 'em - might put a protective bar or ? when you redo it.

 

Now you're wearing the honorary road drive 'em bravery award

 

Having 4 inches of road clearance combined with however much suspension travel (2 or 3 inches I guess?) can easily equal a good hit like this on some public roadways. Not all of them are smooth and ideal for cars sitting close to the ground.

Sometimes unfortunately it's the price we pay to have a lowered car.

Slowing down a bit more might have saved you from the damage, but anyway good luck trying to collect. It might be a lot easier just to get the repairs done on your time and dime rather than go through the h***le of trying to get the construction company to pay up.

 

Thats not so bad compared to hitting alligators on the freeway here.

 

Alligators in Idaho?

 

Tire treads from semi truck tire blowouts.

 

Road alligators,ie: tread off 18 wheelers.^^^^^Beat me to it.

 

Well, that stinks that the car got some damage , but it could have been worse . Like taking out your frt. suspension.. Good luck with getting payment.

 

I think you have a fair claim: The fact that you were directed to proceed by a Traffic Flagman who's responsibility is to allow traffic to proceed when it is safe in a construction area is a positive fact.

If the project is funded to the City or County they should have issued the permit/contract and the contractor(general) is responsible for any claims (accidents/damage etc.) this includes during work and off hours until the project is completed and the City/County has issued a Notice of Completion.

You may file a claim for damages to the City/County and they should forward your claim to the Contractor. The Project do***ents should have a project retention of a percentage of the bid/estimate out here it is 10%, if you persist the City/County should have the Contractor settle your claim before the retention is paid.

Your damages our valid, I see this frequently in my occupation.

If it is a small City contact the City Council if you don't get results.

Good Luck

 

FYI, The Tar & Gravel mix mentioned is used all the time in the area of Idaho, I live in. The process is called "Chip Sealing". And I will tell you it is a mess! Idaho Transportation Dept. tells me that they "Chip Seal" every road every seven years. That's in town. As far as any damage to your car, you have deal with your Ins. Co. IDT just say's your going too fast or you are following too close. This is from some one who has been there and fought the IDT and the IDT won!

 

Hudson, consider yourself lucky only the grill shell was damaged. Four inches of clearance is cutting it kind of close to me. I've seen manhole covers up higher then that. I'd raise up the suspension before your oil pan is next.

Gary

 

It's a damn shame what happened to your car, I hope you get it straightened out.
That said, when you set-up a car with 4" of ground clearance at ride height, well damn man, it's gonna happen sooner or later. The world ain't perfect, and the roads are worse.

 

While on a run a few years back in North Dakota we were directed to a gravel road for a detour. We were traveling at 10mph when a few cars from the other direction roared past us fast enough to throw the pea gravel everywhere. My friends windshield was chipped along with numerous chips to his paint. Put a claim in to Grundy and they covered all the damage.
It was a sweet deal for him as he's a painter so he was paid to repair his own car. I'm sure even the previous chips were included.

 

Read this and remembered I need to check the "chin" on the coupe. Going to an open house at Hot Rod City a couple of weeks ago, I went up local two lane blacktop where they have been putting in new storm drains so a cross road cut every 100 feet or so. Most were just rough but one I didn't notice was deep as temp patch had settled and boy howdy felt and sounded like I went dead-x. Now I have to take the long way around until they repave that stretch of road. Good luck Hudson48, and let us know the final outcome. Around here thinking that the construction outfit or the State (state road) would do anything but laugh at you is wishful thinking.

 

That ****s. Up here in Wisconsin where the roads pretty much ****, I've had good luck setting ride height at 5 - 5 1/2". May not be as cool looking, but keeps things pretty safe.

 

While it would seem you have a case, there's one thing working against you. Time. If you had pulled over, seen the damage and brought it to the road crews attention, you'd be in a nice spot. But you waited. Now, if they're *****s, they can say they didn't cause it. They'll say you could have done the damage some where else. Also, to them, "It's an old car, anyway. So, WTH?"

 

The bottom of the grille shell is the lowest point with plenty of clearance on oil pan etc. I don't think I would be successful with a claim either. I drove it that day and didn't notice the damage. I put it away and it wasn't until I went to clean the car I saw the damage. I checked a couple of pictures taken on the day(see attached) and you can see that the lower shell is pushed back. I picked the best photo with the added attraction.

 

The guys that make me shake my head are the ones that buy the $1000 (ea) wagon wheel size rims and mount tires with a 2" high sidewall. Then they hit a "US Standard Pothole" and lose the tire and the rim.

 

Naugas...That's what they make Naugahyde from..