Tranny damage from being rear ended?

[Slomo]

Please help out an IH8MUD newbie!
I have a unique scenario. I returned from a mountain bike ride yesterday morning to find a late model Toyota Sienna had molded itself to the drivers rear of my beloved Cruiser. The lady told me she only turned around for a second to get a sippy cup from her daughter and never even hit the brakes. Thankfully she had just made a turn onto the street my Cruiser was parked on and near as I can tell was only going about 25mph +/=. I only have a factory bumper but the reciever hitch/frame cross member saved my body and destroyed her van ending up about halfway over/into her engine compartment. The impact pushed the cruiser hard enough to open the ashtray and scatter coins around and moved it approx 3-5 ft. Initially the Cruiser would start and promptly die. I was unable to move the shifter from park untill I cranked over the motor while simultaneously shifting to neutral which resulted in a large load release and lurch forward. After letting gravity roll the Cruiser forward (down hill & pulling apart the Siennas frontend ) I was able to start it in neutral and drive it home about 3 miles. The transmission seemed to work fine. I have not driven it since and want to have it checked before causing further damage. I am concerned about the load of the impact on the transmission while in park and that it was left in that position for an hour until I returned. I don't know alot about this tranny. Am I being paranoid or could there be potential problems yet to surface?

Thanks in advance.

 

[e9999]

no idea if it can be damaged that way but the trouble getting it out of park suggests that the pawl took a hit.
If you have any doubt, better get if seriously examined / fixed right away while the insurance is still fresh on this incident...

 

[IdahoDoug]

The force you felt release was akin to when parked tightly against a parking block or on a steep hill, right? That 'bang' and lurch of the vehicle?

That's force on the parking pin or pawl as noted above. They can be bent or even broken, so be sure the truck now shifts out of park properly even if on a downhill as that would expose a bent one more obviously than just shifting on flat ground or in the garage.

In your case, the tires were dragged while locked by this park pin and the force you released was even greater than usual. Doesn't mean damage occured - that's for you to determine - but just wanted to explain it. Informationally, the park pin is easily strong enough for this kind of abuse. It is designed to be strong enough to have a tow truck drag your car out of a space (10 feet or more) so they can properly hook it up without damage. I'm not saying engineers design to this spec, only that it's a foreseeable stress the pin will see and they design accordingly.

So it's unlikely the transmission was damaged, but I'd certainly inform her insurance company and yours about your concern and ask that a provision for future tranny issues be noted. They may tell you to pound sand. And you may respond by insisting that the transmission be removed and the park pin be inspected/replaced (huge $$$).

Anyhow, your truck is tough enough to handle that. But what about the curb and your front wheels? I'm guessing her angle would have pushed the truck toward the curb. Be sure your front alignment wasn't affected and your curb side wheels weren't damaged.

Hope you had a good ride anyhow - where'd you ride?

DougM

 

[Slomo]

The force was indeed like the one felt when parked tightly against a parking block but easily twice the intensity. I am going to get it checked today by a transmission shop that I know well and trust with my baby. Sounds like it should be safe to drive there as it is only 5-6 miles away and all slower speed side roads. I will check the shifting out of park on the flat and a hill before I drive it any distance.

Ironically this is the first time that I can recall not turning the front tires into the curb so the Cruiser just went straight forward. The rims are fine.

Doug, I did have a great ride in the Arroyo Trabuco and Tijeras Creek trail area of south Orange County, Ca. Excluding of course the last 100 or so yards I had to see my Cruiser under attack from the evil soccor mom mobile!

I am off to deal with the insurance, body, and tranny people. Perhaps I can work a Slee rear bumper past the wife in the repair process? Thank you very much gentlemen for the input.

 

[e9999]

how does one check seriously for possible tranny damage down the road...?

 

[Slomo]

how does one check seriously for possible tranny damage down the road...?

That is a big concern of mine as well. I don't want to be stuck with a premature rebuild bill down the road. I just got back from the tranny shop and he said it doesn't sound bad right now but he wants to get it up on a lift and look around underneath to check the mounts, case, etc...

Also on the way down I checked the shifting out of park on flat ground and on a downhill per DougM's suggestion. The downhill seemed a little harder than normal with a little clunk but I am listening with a paranoid ear so I will have to wait and see what is found on Thursday when I take it back. Unfortunately the check engine light came on as well. I have to believe that is not a coincidence. Would the check engine light come on if something is electrically detected as being wrong in the tranny?

 

[IdahoDoug]

The CE light could be a lot of things, which anyone with a code checker could tell you. Your exhaust may have been bent and/or the oxy sensors banged, etc - no point in us guessing here.

When I lived in LA I wore out a lot of skin and tires at the Laguna Top of The World trail and Crystal Cove and a couple other places who's names are lost to me. Good times, all. Then I moved up here and discovered what real mtn biking is all about - heheheheheh.... Single track heaven.

DougM

 

[Slomo]

The CE light could be a lot of things, which anyone with a code checker could tell you. Your exhaust may have been bent and/or the oxy sensors banged, etc - no point in us guessing here.

When I lived in LA I wore out a lot of skin and tires at the Laguna Top of The World trail and Crystal Cove and a couple other places who's names are lost to me. Good times, all. Then I moved up here and discovered what real mtn biking is all about - heheheheheh.... Single track heaven.

DougM

I am very jealous. Someday I will get out of California for good and you can be sure wherever it is will have lots and lots of singletrack. I am currently rehabing from an accident and have to stick to semi flat trails. Normally I too ride from Aliso Wood Canyon park up to top of the world via Mathis Trail, Rockit, Lynx, Colla, Meadows etc... At least I can take solace in the fact that there is a fair bit of single track local and no snow, not as good as Idaho I am sure but better than allot of other places.

Thanks again for the help and advice. I talked to the claims rep from the other ladies insurance and it looks like they are going to take good care of me. If all goes well I might get to apply some of the money towards a Slee rear bumper and pay the difference. I will keep my fingers crossed.

 

[Slomo]

I will try to insert a picture of the Cruiser. Minor damage especially considering her front end was pushed up and over her motor about 24-36 inches. Her bumper missed and the radiator and core support took the brunt. If there is no image sorry, I am still learning.

 

[Slomo]

Dang it. I will practice and try again later.

 

[MrPaulSims]

Had the same thing(ish) happen to my wife's LX470. Had two drunk guys slam into the back of it at about 40mph in the middle of the night. They ran off and left their car there. I saw it the next morning on my way to grab some milk. Hit it so hard that it knocked it about 40', over a curb and into the neighbors yard. My concern w/ the transmission is that it didn't slide at all. It rolled.. so it was definitely knocked out of gear. Going back and forth w/ the Insurance Company now.

I can say that the 470 faired better than the Civic. http://imgur.com/a/EI4Iq

 

[BILT4ME]

Depending on how the hit happened (what angle, how far in it got) it could have pounded the rear drive shaft into the rear of the transfer case. That can ding the bearings in the T-Case and make it wear out MUCH earlier than normal. However, it may not be noticeable for 10,000 miles.

I bought my sister's Dodge Caravan that they bought new. Within about 10,000 miles of my ownership (it have 150K when I got it), the LR wheel bearing went out and the LF shock tower was banging around due to bearing failure. I asked her if the van was ever in a collision and she said the only thing that EVER happened was that she lost control ONCE and went sliding sideways (left side leading) through the median on the interstate due to snow. I thought it was interesting that about 50K after that, the bearings on that side went out, but the other side was fine. It goes to show how hidden damage can affect the longevity.

I would INSIST that the T-Case be rebuilt professionally, the transmission parking pawl be replaced (trans rebuild), as well as the body damage to be repaired. Odd are that it also collapsed the spring on the LR corner as well. Only replace springs in pairs. LR axle flange may be bent (observe the wheel while driving. If so, the rear axle and wheel bearings must be rebuilt. Suspension bushings cut and damaged.

By the time it's done replacing and repairing all these things, they may total the truck. Have them do all the repairs just up to the value of the truck (before it is "totalled" and accept some of the work to do it yourself, and use that money for a new rear bumper.

Unfortunately, a hit in the LR is one of the most expensive places to be hit.

Good Luck!