Hot Rods Almost got smoked in the 34

Drove my 34 from Wisconsin to Nashville and back this week. It’s all old school….got all of the way there and hit a massive pothole on the highway at like 70+ MPH and it launch my car, my neck hit the ceiling and when I came down it sheared my tie rod in half (welded back in the day) when the axle was dropped…..unbelievable. The passenger wheel was still connected and it allowed my to immediately slow down and get on the side of the road with my steering wheel violently wobbling…..it was terrifying in the middle of Nashville rush hour 4 lane highway with everyone doing 80 + ….nuts!

That could have been the end of me for sure at that speed. Had to overnight a new one and get it installed before I could head back home. Now I have a cool hot rod story Plus I had to show off the new white roof insert to match the whitewalls like a tuxedo

 

Glad that you are safe!

 

Dang, glad you were able to bring it to a controlled stop. Did you know the tie rod had been welded before this scare?

 

No…..I didn’t even know they used to do that back in the day. I would have replaced it immediately. My 18 year old son drives this car all of the time…..super scary

 

Bet you’re undies aren’t so white

 

Man.. you got off lucky on that one... glad to hear all is good in the end

 

Crazy story, glad it all worked out in your favor. That's a beautiful car, it would of been a shame if it got wrecked and even worse if you were seriously injured.

 

Buy yourself a lottery ticket. Thankful no other damage. Hats off to you for making the trip in your 34.

 

Ouch! Glad you're still here and you beautiful coupe is OK.

 

I have narrowed a few tie rod tubes . I always turned a slug to fit inside the tube . Welded all three pieces together at the same time . Doesn’t look as if the used a slug , to me .

 

Glad ya survived.
I’ve had a couple tie rods break. Not fun

 

Good that you are safe and sound. Maybe get who ever oversees your final tool inspections do a once or twice over on your cars.

 

Thank your lucky steering stabilizer, ​

 

My truck is still on jack stands from coming back from nats, hit pot holes and bridge/highway joints. Tn and Ky roads are horrible! My plans from now on is backroads. May take a extra hr or so.

 

Good to hear you are ok. Great hot rod.

 

I'd suspect the drag link too, unless you assembled it and installed it yourself.

 

Man thank God. That’s some scary shit

 

Atleast you and the car are safe! Car looks great with the white insert. Just needs white running boards now.

 

I saw this elsewhere, hug you loved ones, you dodged the bullet

 

Man, that could’ve ended very badly. My son lives just north of Nashville and I hate driving down into the city. I think the state actually has funds set aside for pothole damage claims. Glad it worked out good. Beautiful car, btw.

 

That really is a magnificent looking coupe.
Very glad to hear that you and the car survived with no serious injury.
Always double check any work, that has been done to the vehicle, regardless of who did it!

 

Through the years I've seen some really scary fab work on steering components. You are very fortunate to have not killed yourself and/or totaled your beautiful '34. Every tie rod or drag link I';ve narrowed I've shortened the right hand thread end and recut the threads on the lathe. I witnessed. a beautiful '32 Roadster that the owner/builder had welded an early '32 steering arm to a later spindle. I asked him about it and the response was "well I had it x-rayed". Crap what the hell was he thinking?

 

Glad you and the car made it. That had to be scary. If I owned a 34 it would be just like yours.

 

If you get under the car and have someone turn the steering wheel with oomph right and left about a half turn you will see how much a stock tie rod flexes.

 

when I blew mine apart for a re build I noticed that the pitman arm cotter pin was missing and the castle nut was hand tight. And yes, I put a few miles on it that way

 

A close shave for sure!

Looks like there was no prep on the tube. Some thin wall to aid alignment. Weld it, and then grind the weld off so it looks nice, but leaving little more than the thin wall. Lasted well considering, but scary!

Chris

 

Glad nobody got hurt
A good lesson here.

 

No doubt! Scary stuff. Shane; let's bring back the Vulcanized white running boards, Our lives won't be complete until we do..