Well, my weekend is RUINED. Driving home from work, there was this large piece of metal/steel in the road. Couldn't tell what it was. Almost looked like a pre-cat of a 5.5 gen max, only larger. The car infront of me swerved and I had no time to react. Ran right over down the passenger side of the car between the wheels. I was going roughly 60. It tore up the underbody of the passenger side with an incredible thud. I felt sick after I ran over it.
The car runs fine. No leaking of any fluids. My resonator and b-pipe took some damage as well as the gar tank was hit. The main crossmember (held on by 8 bolts) took the biggest hit. The screwholes were pushed back and the piece of metal dented the **** out of the member. Moved it back far enough where it would rub against the resonator. I just took off the crossmember. I thought I remembered seeing some people on here running without that main crossmember (cause of aftermarket exhaust, etc). So my main concern here is the car safely driveable with this member off? I would think so. Just want to get some clarification. I will probably order a new member anyway. Also, the gas tank isn't leaking anywhere, just dented. Should there be any overwheming concern about this?
Here are some pics.





Gas tank

 

 

wow...that is some serious impact. Reminds me of last year when I hit a 6x6 fencepost/signpost at 70ish mph and it bent my entire front right suspension. too much crap on the roads these days, and everyone is going so fast there's no way to avoid alot of it....

Gas tank should be ok - it is coated with a thick rubberized material, IIRC. The crossbrace you can take off with no problems, though You could probably just bolt it back up and it will be fine.

 

also, I'd check the bottom of the oil pan and make sure it didn't hit any front suspension components.

 

Thanks, the crossmember has been dented and pushed back to the point of rubbing on the start of the resonator. I was getting some noise under slight accleration and turning the car. Figured that might be it. Also, the heat shields were bent pretty good, that might have been causing some noise, but not much. I rebent the affected heat shields.


I looked all over. Didn't see any hit there. Looks like it didn't really hit until the crossmember or the floorboard right there.

 

you got lucky cause it could have did more. but the gas tank should be ok. your max will be more economical now lol. the crossmember for the exhaust is not a bigie either.

 

Ouch... doesn't look like it got anyhting important though.

I remember that... Bad news

 

yea dude, for real...u got away lucky with that one....looks like just cosmetic damage for the most part...i dont think the crossmember is all that necessary but its ur max man.....

 

It could have been much worse. Imagine if it would have hit the brake lines!

 

Eric, sorry to hear about your mishap. It is fine to drive without that crossmember. I have been doing it for about 2 years now.

 

Damn....that's what I call a sick hit.

 

Been driving without the cross-member for some time with no problems.

Sorry about your car...

 

Ohhh man it's you Erik!!!! Sorry to see your max being hurt!!! I can't stand when ppl leave crap on the roads these days.

There was a story when a truck was carring stuff around in the back and all of a sudden matress snaps and flies off the truck. That flying matress hit my car in the hood and then my windshield + taking off my driver mirror off completely leaving only wires hanging down. I had to stop and go look for my crashed mirror somewhere behind.

 

I am thinking of replacing the crossmember anyway.

The noise I was hearing after the accident has seemed to go away once the crossmember has been removed. I hope that is the extent of it.

 

Real sorry to read about the accident bro...

 

sorry to hear about the accident man but could have definitely been worse