Nearby, an oil rig or some bull**** exploded, and now there is a detour because they had to shut down the highway that it runs along.

For legits:
http://www.nbc33tv.com/news/assumpti...ild-near-la-70

Well, I'm on my way home on this unfamiliar ass detour highway that nobody travels on, ever, 30 minutes ago, 2 am in the middle of a tropical depression (South Louisiana).

I'm driving the shoulderless highway when all of a sudden I see a stop sign emerge from behind a tree, I'm going 60 mph, too late. My turn is right. The other option is left. I did neither.

The hwy I was on slanted upward on intersection, so I jumped, essentially, and landed in someone's concrete drive way. I mean I JUMPED, cleared the whole highway and almost hit the house.

CD player said ERR. I got outside and looked for damage, and the reflector/light on the quarterpanel fell off. Drove the car home, all tire pressures are the same.

Here's how the reflector broke off:

http://img839.imageshack.us/img839/7767/0817100236.jpg

1.) Can I just glue it back on? It doesn't look like it's made to be removable anyway...

2.) Should I look into possible suspension damage or other damages, or is that unlikely??

Thanks guys. I got lucky, I could have smacked the telephone pole..in mid air.

1. I'd say you can just glue it back on, doesn't look like it could hurt.

2. Depends how high in the air you got and how hard impact was.

You should probably take it to the panel beater to get checked out, you'll probably be driving along one day and suddenly the suspension will fall off and the reflectors will explode.

This thread makes me laugh.

So, lemme get this straight. Something exploded which caused crews to close a familiar highway and detour traffic down a less traveled highway where you proceeded to do 60mph down it at 2am.

Firstly, I have to ask. Why were you doing 60mph down a road you've never been on? That is actually kind of...not smart.

Secondly, why when you saw the stop sign did you just not attempt to stop....or slow down? Probably because you were going too fast. Which also tells me that the speed limit was probably not set at 60 or even 55. It was probably more like in the 45-50 mph range.

So, to answer your questions.

1) The marker is designed to be taken off. Those are probably push washers pushed onto pins. The pins probably snapped off where they were molded into the housing. The other side of them are probably stuck to the bumper due to age, dirt, gook and the like. Reach under there and pry them off. Then go to the store and buy new markers.

2) If you did in fact pull a "Dukes of Hazard" and jumped the highway I'd say you have a lot more to worry about besides a busted marker light. I wouldn't be surprised if you didn't do any real damage to your 'vette. Take the thing to a garage so someone who knows what they are doing can fix it proper.

3) Stop driving like an idiot.

Thank god it wasn't a person emerging from behind a tree...

The speed limit was 55. When I saw the stop sign it was too late. As in I was beginning my climb into the atmosphere.

Oh man I bet you almost messed yourself hahaha.

I'll have to go with what others said and get it checked out by a repair shop. Because something might be wrong with the underbody especially the shock/strut area, you wouldn't think making a fall like that would do nothing. How far did you drop anyway?

I really can't say exactly, I'm not sure. It wasn't a "drop" to the other side, but I still jumped.

For some reason I just don't believe you. Here is why.

If a road is posted 55 mph the state doesn't just stick a stop sign at an intersection with the intent of, "SURPRISE STOP!!!!" What they will do instead is have teh speed limit "step" down over a mile or so. It'll be 55, then drop to 50 or 45 then finally 35 and then "Stop".

The problem with your story is that you say the stop sign was hidden behind a tree. Was it truly "hidden" as you put it or did you have warnings that the stop sign was coming up and you chose to ignore them? Perhaps you just weren't paying any attention. So, the speed limit was 55....you weren't doing 55 were you? Hell, in a 'Vette I'm sure you weren't doing 60 either. I'm sure the sign wasn't "hidden" the town and state wouldn't just go, "Hey, that looks like a great place for a stop sign." ***points to a tree in the middle of the woods**** Maybe it was obstructed due to over-growth; which is entirely possible but even then, I'm sure if you were doing the speed limit you'd be able to spot it.

I can almost guarantee you that the speed limit was not 55 up to the sign and had the cops been involved with your flight they'd of issued you a summons for careless, reckless driving as well as a failure to stop.

I'm sorry, I just find it hard to believe. I've been driving for 18 years and I've done a lot of stupid things but I've never once had an accident when a stop sign just "Jumped out from behind a tree with a gun and threatened to shoot me if I didn't stop!!! So, I did the next best thing and jumped the sign, the highway, the dog, the barn and land in a driveway and the only thing I broke was a marker!!!!"

Something doesn't add up. You aren't telling the entire story.

Before you worry about the lights and suspension, get started on novelty car horns.



You've obviously never been to Indiana.

First of all, ballsy. Have yerself a http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fSeUTfZk2ic -I'm outta fish sticks. And a thumb :goodjob: or two :thumbsup: or effort in making my evening read.

Second, having completely bottomed out your suspension somehow.. I'd have the car on a lift and take a look-see.. just for giggles, check for stress cracks and fractures along the chassis welds and in the seams along the cross braces underneath. Your exaust also takes a bloody beating during that kinda stuff, look at the fasteners, and the welds too.

Oh yeah, try not to make a habit outta it. During the dukes of Hazzard, they went through roughly "a few" 'General Lee dodge chargers per episode..

I believe the number was 17 per episode.

@ Masaccio,

I've driven through Indiana never actually made an pit-stops though. But, I can tell you. The areas I did drive through didn't have gun wielding stop signs hiding behind and jumping out from trees.

IMO, the OP should give me his 'Vette at least I can guarantee I don't crash it because of ninja road signs and super secret roads.

This is true. I also like the ones at the top of a hill and if you hit the gas just a little too hard you go past them into the intersection anyways.

I don't know why you're taking such an attitude towards this topic. I live in Michigan, and it's not surprising at all to think there's a "hidden" stop sign out there in the world. I see them all the time on the county roads that go 40, 50, +, and had a few close calls of my own. His story isn't so unbelievably unbelievable.

I'm sorry. I just find it very hard to believe. I live in New Jersey with one of the worst road systems in the country. In this [censored] state they put exit signs for roads after the road the sign is for. I just find it hard to believe that he was doing to speed limit and didn't see that the road came to an intersection. I feel like he isn't telling us something. Like maybe he took his eyes off the road for a minute.

For all the times I've driven on back country roads that I didn't know I never went balls out and did the speed limit. I went to Bethel, NY for my wife's birthday. I went to the Bethelwood Grounds (for those that don't know that is where Woodstock was held in the 1960's and during the '90s) I didn't know any of the roads and I wouldn't go above 40 for fear that I might miss a turn or not see a stop sign. I just can't believe he would do 60 mph on a road he has never been on.

Everyone who has posted here has basically patted him on the back for doing something careless and reckless. Basically, he has been praised for doing something stupid. I don't think it is cool that he passed a stop sign that was purposefully hidden. I also don't give props for "jumping a 'Vette Dukes of Hazard style because he should've been more careful.

The OP is more concerned about a marker light than the very real possibility he damaged the the suspension, possibly the subframe...etc....etc....etc....etc......and yet everyone who has posted has praised him.

I dunno. Maybe I'm kind of annoyed at his stupidity because I understand cars. Work on cars.....hell I took a Dodge Neon and put a fully built engine, trans, turbo, suspension. Built it with my bare hands, blood, sweat and sometimes tears. So, when I hear that someone crashed a 'Vette possibly due to negligence and then is only concerned with a broken marker when he could have thousands of dollars worth of damage I'm going to get a bit heated when everyone else give him Fishy Sticks.

But then, that brings me back to my original point. What are we not being told? I fail to accept the ninja road sign holding a throwing star hiding behind a tree.

Sound advice all of it, do this. Especially the third one.

Uhm, who pissed in your cheerios this morning? He didn't ask for your judgment. He asked if he should check a couple of things out because of what he did. He's 21 and he has a Corvette, you can't possibly tell me that you weren't young and naive once.Your attitude is completely unwanted.

That's funny, cause I live in Jersey as well, and can think of at least five "hidden" stop signs in my area that people blow regularly, and sometimes fatally. These things happen, regardless of whether it's broad daylight, or whether drunk or sober. Is it possible, that maybe, just maybe, that everyone's not perfect?

More or less. They had 10 identical cars, and the studio has its own shop. At any given time 3 or 4 were ready for filming and they rotataed through'em rapidly.

And I'm with you- with driving like that, the OP needs 9 more 'Vettes and a shop.

Well look who has the nice civil engineering degree. I guess this is the only stop sign in the world in a 55 MPH zone. I didn't post here to be interrogated, I posted because I was worried about my car and thought someone might give me some advice.



And let me guess, I was on my way back from a murder scene right? Since you seem to be adding your own details into my story.

"Hell, in a vette?" Not sure what that means but understand that cops can and will write you a ticket for going 51 in a 45 more than once in a sportscar. I cruise control, at every suitable scenario, at the speed limit. I was going 60. You can take my word for it or GTFO, I have no reason to lie here. The only reason I even mentioned Corvette is because they are low to the ground and have stiff suspension, and thus it's relevant in the discussion regarding possible damage.

Let me put your silly assumptions of me to rest. I am young, I have a corvette. I am NOT, a punk that drag races in the streets, I am responsible with the car. I do not ignore the laws of traffic.


Just to prove a point (which is easy, because I'm right) - this number would be lower if I was the thug Tokyo drift super racer boy you seem to think I am.
http://img9.imageshack.us/img9/1261/corvettefk.jpg

Oh, and will you look at this!

http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/noframes/14799.shtml

In case you don't want to load the pictures, the first picture is my DIC displaying an average of 23 mpg, when it's actually usually closer to 23.5, and the second link is the MPG ratings of 15 city, 23 hwy, 18 combined. So even assuming I ONLY drive on highways, I'd say I'm a pretty conservative driver.


I. Was. Doing. The. Speed. Limit.



I was not being negligent, you assumed out of thin air that I was being negligent. I'd hate to bring up again that I was going the speed limit but you've already made up your mind about that one haven't you sport? And I especially love how you say I am only concerned with the broken marker which is already fixed, when the entire point of me posting this thread is the possibility of further damage.

"2.) Should I look into possible suspension damage or other damages, or is that unlikely??"

Maybe you do have more car knowledge than me, I'll openly admit that; that's the reason why I posted. I wanted to know if further unseen damages are likely.

I'm not sure what your problem is, but enough with the third degree already. I possibly damaged my car, and I am looking for advice. I am not looking for someone to question my story/motives/driving habits/credit score/blood type/ whatever you feel necessary next.

As for the rest of you, thank you for understanding and for the advice.

Did you look under your ride to see if there are any spills? Green, black or red means bad and not drivable. If not, drive it and check to see that your steering is aligned. The car is low, no doubt, but visually inspect as much as possible underneath for everything. If you have a couple of car ramps, it will be easier. Make sure your brakes feel as they should. If you notice something, like a busted exhaust pipe or even a hole, you will be ahead of the garage when you take it to fix. Check to see if your fuel tank is leaking or damaged as well. A dent won't mean much, but a hole is obvious.

It sat in the garage all night last night and most of the day today, only made a quick run for school supplies. would a leak necessarily run onto the concrete? Because I see no signs of fluid on the ground or under the car, but it's hard to get a view under the car.




As far as I can tell, car still drives the same. I was worried about perhaps dented rims but I would be able to feel that while driving right? I have "makeshift" ramps I use to change oil (jack doesn't fit underneath) so I'll use those and get a look underneath.




Breaks feel as they should, I don't smell gas or anything around the car.

thanks

1. Who cares, this guy probably lives 1000 miles away from you, and you seem like your going to have a heart attack over this topic, on this internet forum.

2. Being the all knowing road master that make yourself out to be, i'm sure you know plenty of state 'i dont give a [censored]' situations involving roads that are not used often. Furthermore, with the possibility of over growth and the fact that he was driving through a tropical depression, it is entirely possible for the op to have seen the road sign only upon entering the intersection. I will grant that if I were driving through a tropical depression, I probably would be doing about 30-40.

3. OP the best you could do without going to a shop is lift your car up and check for any stress fractures and any loose parts on the suspension. Also, take it out and see how it drives. One way of checking alignment is by driving and taking your hands off the wheel and see if it veers off in any direction, just dont kill anyone while doing so.

When you back the car out a bit from the garage, you should look for even small drops. You can then drag your finger on them if noticed and smell what you have found. Those drops in time become puddles when not noticed as natural wear will prevail. The three types of fluids have somewhat distinct smells to them, so you will know that it is not water. The only exception to have water is if you have been running the AC, but that is normal when in use. Also, I would still look at your rims to make sure that they are not bent. Slow leaks svck, especially when you are in hurry. When you drive, keep the radio off for awhile and just listen to the car as you drive it. The good thing about most cars, they will 'talk' if they have an issue. Hopefully you find nothing significant, as I anticipate your response after your check.

Yes they do...We have a back road here where the speed limit is 55 and there are a ton of stop signs along it.