Darned Trees

[waaytoomuchintothis]

Maybe things have changed, come to think of it, I'm its worse now, but it used to be that if there was substantial damage on 3 of 4 corners, it could be assumed that the drive train had suffered in some way. I heard that from a body shop guy who had a car in his shop that had been the victim of a lost load from a scrap iron truck-- one of those flatbeds that stack crushed cars for transport, all strapped down with chains, etc. Anyway, when he got the hood off, sure enough, the top of the engine was trashed, and while it was sitting there, transmission fluid was running out on the floor.

I get how he assumed that the engine would be crunched, but getting that transmission casing crack surprised me, especially that he guessed it before anyone saw the fluid on the floor. The insurance company was able to total the car, saving the problems of putting money into body repairs then finding out there was a lot more money required to get the car running. He was a sharp old guy. My grandfather went to him, and I was glad to get to know him, too.

[FootScoot]

Rob, the car runs and drives fine. I've been driving since it happened, just not much at night. It looks horrible, but runs good, kind of like a car that's been through a hail storm. Everything works, so it's more cosmetic than anything else. The estimate has almost $2500 in paint. It's a mess. :(

[Florida_Slotter]

Ken,

I'm sorry for your experience. Car guys hate for things like that to happen to their cars.

Trees, while a beautiful thing as just so detrimental to having a nice car that I've almost thought about removing a couple of them. But then I've come to my senses.

Most people do not realize just how much damage a falling branch or tree can do.

Glad you weren't in the car when the branch came crashing down.

[FootScoot]

Marty I agree with you about the trees. I like them because of the shade they provide in summer. It keeps my A/C costs down to about half of what friends pay with no trees, but you have to live the falling branch now and again. This may never happen again, but then again it could, you just never know. :)