Honda Civic crash at Thunderbolt - post mortem

[fasthonda]

hey guys.

i just finished unloading the Civic out of my trailer (had to clear out the trailer, because i need to prep the Probenstien and load it for the last NASA race weekend of the year)....   i was able to remove what was left of the driver's side rear hub, and bolted on a new bearing/hub assembly.  i could then reattach the wheel, and drive it down to my garage (no brakes though, as the braking system was severely damaged when the wheel sheared off, thus resulting in letting out all the brake fluid during my crash!).

i carefully looked over the broken parts, and took some quick pictures;  the hub appears to have been in perfect shape -- no rust whatsoever, no visible damage anywhere on it, and the bearing was perfectly tight and smooth.  that is the third bearing/hub assembly on that corner;  i had replaced it two times in the past, when the bearing started to 'growl' and make noise, and when tested, had some noticable play in it (last replacement was about 3 yrs ago).  this one was good right up until BANG!  SCREECH!  CRASH!!!!!

here are two pictures of the hub/bearing assembly:





here are a few pics of the car and the damage;  its going to need at least a new rear quarter, a door skin, mirror, taillight, side glass, lower control arm, brake cylinder/drum/shoe/hardware assembly, and perhaps a rear trailing arm and spindle:





the good news is that the engine started right up, and isn't leaking anything....  all gauges were in the green, and it sounded strong, and MEAN! 

well, that's all for now;  i wish i could make it to the 'Thank You' dinner, but i will be driving south to Summit Point that evening towards my last race of the year!  have fun at the dinner, guys!

todd