I don't recall any such clause, either for new or existing coverage.

Of course, should I neglect my cars and incur liability because of it, my carrier is likely to decline the next renewal.

However, I'm only talking about insurance policies and not trying to justify driving a car with broken suspension pieces. That's just asking for trouble. I wouldn't want to expose other people to the sheer stupidity of it.

Even if the car does hold together, the way it looks begs for LEO attention. Troopers can and do hold roadside inspections, and there are fines for driving on broken suspension parts. The fine would likely be significantly more than it would cost to trailer the car, which he would then still have to do.

The only way to judge the condition of the suspension is to drive it and or to personally examine it. Nobody here can do that. I agree IF its the sway bar no big deal, if its the other link that goes forward and locates the axle that probably would stop me from driving it. If thats broken the car will turn left or right depending whether you are accelerating or decellerating.

The primary filter should be replaced or you probably will not make it. I would get several of those in case it plugs again. If my destination were nashville I would take one of the secondary roads west til I hit 63. 63 is a lightly traveled 4 lane that goes at least to evansville.

I would not drive 45 on any interstate for fear of being run over by a truck or causing an accident.

Tom W

__________________
[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

Adventure is doing something cool with prudence, this is a "fools erand" at worst, a gamble at best.

If I was that hard up and short on cash I would just junk the car for $250 and drive my other car, which he must have since he went back to get the key.

__________________
1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

the other car is my moms. I cant drive it anymore, ive been borrowing it for a month.

To the person who just sent me that message, my computer just shut down that window. Sorry I would have replied.

I need to get the car to Nashville asap, and Im planning on leaving tomorrow morning.

Now that is a truly dumb statement!! This thread has really gone a long way towards outting some of our more bone-headed forum members. The original poster could be the biggest!!

**btw Turbo, I don't mean to lump you into the same category as Dr-whatever......**

The bigger issue than it being legal to drive is the fact that it is STUPID to drive a vehicle in this condition and put others at risk. Just the fact that there is a greatly increased chance of you injuring other motorists and possibly their family members makes what you are doing border line despicable!
I hope you decide to sell your MB, buy a BMW or VW and move on to other forums.....

**sorry, I just have no patience for this kind of stupidity, even if it is from a youngster**

__________________
Jimmy L.
'05 Acura TL 6MT
2001 ML430 My Spare

Gone:
'95 E300 188K "Batmobile" Texas Unfriendly Black
'85 300TD 235K "The Wagon" Texas Friendly White
'80 240D 154K "China" Scar engine installed
'81 300TD 240K "Smash"
'80 240D 230K "The Squash"
'81 240D 293K"Scar" Rear ended harder than Elton John

I smell another sticky, Bonehead forum members.

__________________
1987 300TD 309, xxx 2.8.2014 10,000 mile OCI


Be careful of the toes you step on today, as they may be connected to the ass you have to kiss tomorrow. anonymous

“Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don’t matter, and those who matter won’t mind.” Dr. Seuss

I would be on there, just for different reasons.....

**edit**
Man, you just never know when something is really going to twist you off. This one sure got under my skin.....

__________________
Jimmy L.
'05 Acura TL 6MT
2001 ML430 My Spare

Gone:
'95 E300 188K "Batmobile" Texas Unfriendly Black
'85 300TD 235K "The Wagon" Texas Friendly White
'80 240D 154K "China" Scar engine installed
'81 300TD 240K "Smash"
'80 240D 230K "The Squash"
'81 240D 293K"Scar" Rear ended harder than Elton John

Thanks, I used the non-legal argument to avoid insinuating stupidity, mostly because I couldn't imagine an adult going thru with the plan to drive this pos on public roads.

Hopefully, a LEO will stop this dork before he kills someone.

Man, I had to read that twice to fully comprehend how stupid it is. I wish I could wash the words out of my brain now......

Peter,
I have seen many good arguments on this thread as to why I should not drive my car.

You on the other hand have not given one good reason, and instead, once again have resorted to name calling. Don't you have anything better to do?


After testing the car today, I really believe it will make it in a safe and legal way. Someone has graciously offered an alternative, but if that doesn't work out, I think this car will make it.

If the shoe fits......


Driving that car anywhere on a public road is stupid, you can google a definition of dork yourself, I hope.

and the sad aspect is that if something occurs, someone will call it an accident
- premeditated negligence more accurately

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Bill

'82 300SD 195K
'84 300SD 199K

As I have said, IF the rear suspension is bent but the only thing cracked or broken is the sway bar, then you aren't putting others at risk. The fact is I think you have made it pretty obvious that YOU would be the FIRST to sue someone if something went wrong, and I'm not just talking about this situation either. You seem to have a litigious bent.

You know nothing about me, but yet you are so sure of what I'd do. I think it is more a case of assuming that everyone would do what YOU would do. What do they call that? Projecting?

You need to read what you've quoted again. I said based on his description it sounds like a swaybar link, and if that's what it is, that's no big deal. I also said that As long as the suspension components that hold the wheel in place aren't broken - or cracked to the point of breaking - it isn't that big of a deal..

In the English language that is what is known as a conditional statement. It isn't saying that "this is the case" it is saying "IF this is the case". Fact is even if the upper suspension is bent - as long as nothing is cracked - it will hold together just fine. The tire tilting in isn't a big deal either, as long as it is pointed pretty well straight ahead. If it were, every old swing axle VW ever built would be a menace on the roads. Their rear wheels BOTH leaned in at the top - or out at the top, depending on the condition of the springs and the load in the vehicle.

I think the conversation with an LEO would go more like this...
LEO: I pulled you over because I noticed a little damage to your vehicle.
Smoothie: Yes sir, I got hit in Nashville and am just trying to get the car back home to Indianapolis
LEO: Did you have a mechanic look it over to make sure it is safe to drive?
Smoothie: No sir, but after consulting with several people I inspected it myself. There are a couple of pieces that are bent, but the only thing cracked or broken is the sway bar link, and I secured that to the axle. I'm keeping my speed down to the legal minimum in order to limp it home so I that I can repair it.
LOE: OK, well stay in the right lane, keep your flashers on, and take it easy....

That is more how I would expect it to go as long as he got pulled over by a reasonable cop. If he was unlucky enough to get a smart-alec cop who was having a bad day, then the LOE side of the conversation might go more like you wrote it.

Again, if I were trying this, I'd stay off major roads, and probably travel at night when the traffic is lightest, just to avoid being the guy in the right lane doing 50 on the interstate. As well as to avoid other potential hassles.

Smoothie, since you seem to have decided to do this, get under it with a bright flashlight before you hit the road and take a long hard look at the suspension pieces on that side - just be sure that nothing vital is broken or cracked to where it could break. Let us know how it goes.

__________________
1984 300 Coupe TurboDiesel
Silver blue paint over navy blue interior
2nd owner & 2nd engine in an otherwise
99% original unmolested car
~210k miles on the clock

1986 Ford F250 4x4 Supercab
Charcoal & blue two tone paint over burgundy interior
Banks turbo, DRW, ZF-5 & SMF conversion
152k on the clock - actual mileage unknown

ah, conditional
so what do YOU know of this situation ?
the "dork" has not visited a mechanic, could we agree that you are "conditionally" ignorant of the facts ?
were I a plaintiff, I would include you based on your posts encouraging him to endanger others

BTW, I would not hesitate to run such a vehicle - it the others on the road who have no idea of my stupidity for whom I have to have concern

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Bill

'82 300SD 195K
'84 300SD 199K

I pulled the wheel off, examined all the parts, and can clearly see that my all major load bearing components seem to be completely together. I cant see any cracks and i can't see how something would crack.

Also, I have already driven the car 40 miles without incident. And, today I went out for an aditional test drive. Conditions have improved with the only odd sound going away. Although I have not visited a mechanic, I usually work on my own vehicle, or work with friends on it. So far, I have kept it going for a good chunk of the later part of 235,000 miles. Would you considder me conditionally ignorant of the facts?

You guys have problems with this name calling thing.