Got rear ended in 911.....advice?

Well,

The other morning, heavily raining, pitch black dark as it was so early in the morning, I was hit from behind by a Lexus LS400.

The impact was hard, but not enough to smash the taillights, although the bumper has been pushed down 1.5 inches on the left and up 1.5 inches on the right, causing the right side to "squeeze" the taillight cluster, cracking it.

The garnish across the back is cracked too.

I believe that the muffler might be damaged, as the car is popping and lightly backfiring on the overrun.

It's all an insurance matter, so I'm not terribly concerned. The girl that hit me said: "Oh, it's my husband's car, so he'll pay for it all"

Re-assuring, I know.

Anyhow, the part that really worries me is that at any speed over 125 kmh (75mph) there is a moderate vibration from the back of the car...

By 150 kmh (90 mph) it's so bad that I have to slow down, or perhaps lose control of the car!

Is it possible that the rear end (or chassis :eek could have been bent?? Is this a usual occurance with earlier (1976) 911s? I'm really freaked now. I haven't yet taken it to a panel shop, but I'm now intending to take it to the Holiest of Holy Panel shops on tuesday.

Anybody out there had a similar experience?

Thanks again,

Adam



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Adam Chaplin
adamchaplin@optushome.com.au
1976 911S Coupe

Talk about a nightmare. Same thing happened to my in my '85. Apparently I did not get hit NEARLY as hard as you did.

Car is OK. I had the car checked mechanically. Cosmetically, one of my rear bumperettes are trashed, license plate lights are broken. I think the bumper shocks are to be replaced as well.

My lower back STILL hurts. My crazy Doctor keeps testing me for EVERYTHING but a bad back (kidney stones, ??? bad liver, etc.)
Whacked doctors...

Anyways, get the car THOROUGHLY checked. Get a PPI done :-)

Go to a Porsche FRAME alignment shop. Have them spec the car. It sounds like your rear-end is tweaked.

I hope you (neck, back) are better than the car.

Nick H.
'85 Carrera

Two weeks ago I was rear-ended in my '75 911S. Bumper pushed in, number plate broken, leftside rear lights out and the exhaust blowing....no body work damage and drives fine. Had a sore neck for 3 days and the cars is going to be fixed next week - the offending cars insurance is of course paying.
I would see a Dr. to check out any whiplash injuries, Adam.

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'75 911S Targa
http://member.aol.com/asaffery/my911s.html

Your frame shop will be able to tell you 'how far' the impact travelled into the car. For a start, when the left or right quarter goes down you can usually see a buckling around the rear fender lip. Look closely for that. Look closely at the longitudinal members that run from the rear (closest to the deck lid) motor mounts forward (under oil filter on right and similar on left). Look for buckling here. Check also how the rubber fits around the front of the engine since if any of the previous areas I mention show damage, you will see light between the rubber and the engine tin. It can be fixed, but find a shop that replaces panels by drilling spot welds and not by using bondo.
Keep us posted.
Tom

Sue'um, sue'um, sue'um! Support your local lawyer. Remember todays twin turbo (purchased by the lawyers) are our cars of tomorrow! Sorry my natural instincts took over. But it is time to look for the new exhaust to replace your old, the new fiberglass bupmers, suspension upgraded from the jarring and don't forget the new tires because they are flatted spotted from the impact.


[This message has been edited by pbs911 (edited 03-23-2001).]