300SD...
Here is the skinny,

Was driving home from work on I-5 south...mergeing into an exit thing to continue on I-5 South. I was running the inside of the corner (as I usually do) turning slightly left and just barely caught the edge of a drain grate (saw it...wasn't enough to feel it).

Anyway after that instant. All hell broke loose. The wheel started shaking and had I not been going straight, would not have been able to maintain control. Was defintely in the steering...so I downshifted and tried to merge over into the right lane...all the cars that were pissed at me for actaully MOVING at the speed limit and put on my flashers...crippled at the side of the road in not enough room.

I watched the mirror and hopped out at first chance to have a look over things...all looked well...tires inflated...sorta straight...nothing bent, stuck, or broken. (Or so I thought)

I continued driving (about 45-55mph in the right lane behind some slow people) and exited as soon as I could. Pulled into a store parking lot...well tried to...my car was pulling so hard to the right that I could barely get in there...was nosing hard.

Got out and looked again...drivers side wheel was pointed in about 20 degrees while passenger was straight ahead. GAH!

Long story made shorter, continued to taco bell for some dinner (not much furthur and at low speeds) and inspected with help of friends dead flashlight. Found out a bolt was missing from the arm that the tie rod connects to on the drivers side. Its one of the bolts that is easily confused for a caliper retaining bolt and I imagine I loosened it in the past and retightened...but apparently not enough.

Bolt gone, I decided to call it quits, espically when my car almost spun its tires VS. moving forward against the heavy toe in. Called AAA+, and they towed it home.

Now it sits in the drive, awaiting a new arm deal (the old one was hold in by the remaining bolt and thank goodness it did not break...espially while I was driving just 30 seconds ago at about 85 around a corner on the freeway.

I will snag one at the yard, and two more correct bolts. I figure why cut corners and try to reuse the bent one when it held out for so long and basically saved my life/semi-good health.

So technically it made my trip difficult, but I guess I was not stranded. And to think...I just changed the oil 200 miles ago

Pictures tomorrow with the daylight...

Lucky,Lucky,Lucky!

"Glad the E.R. physicians didn't get a chance "To brighten up your Day".

Oh I know...I have pretty good strokes of luck when it comes to things like this...like putting both hands on the wheel for no reason just before this happened...I almost never drive with both hands when below 95...

I heart quality german steel

I think after all the effort/time/love I put into my bug and it failed me, the other german cars I own are trying to cheer me up. (Or scare the crap out of me)

Yeah...glad the worst didn't happen as it could easly have.

Funny thing is I have had gut feelings something was wrong before a problem reared its head like yours did....and a lot more than once.

__________________
Proud owner of ....
1971 280SE W108
1979 300SD W116
1983 300D W123
1975 Ironhead Sportster chopper
1987 GMC 3/4 ton 4X4 Diesel
1989 Honda Civic (Heavily modified)
---------------------
Section 609 MVAC Certified
---------------------
"He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you." - Friedrich Nietzsche

Here are some photographs...

...btw I did not touch the steering wheel between the two wheel pictures !!!

Basically allowed the wheel to be wobbled/severly towed in however much it pleased...

Attached Thumbnails

         

This picture taken on the 200mile drive I just was leaving work after...

Attached Thumbnails