Doing about 70 to 75 in the rain on the interstate Saturday, the rear-end of my 2005 GT gave way and I spun out. Fortunately, I missed the right side guardrail, but the car did a complete 180 and hit hard on the base of a rock formation. Very hard. I thought for sure the whole right side was trashed. I didn't want to get out to look right there, so I was able to drive out of that mucky, grassy area, make a U-Turn and continue on my way. Slowly.
I took the next exit and found a place to pull over and check out the damage. I was definitely expecting the worst and was almost afraid to walk over to the other side. But there was none on that whole right side. Not even a scratch! I did rip out the front spoiler when I got myself out of there, but that was minor damage - considering.
Well, I got back on the highway and headed towards home. It had stopped raining, so I picked up the speed some. Got it up to around 60, and the steering wheel started shaking violently. Like the wheels were all out of balance. At slower speeds, it was fine. I'm thinking I knocked something out of whack in that right rear, but if I did, wouldn't it be obvious driving slower as well?
When I did stop to check out the damage, I saw that the wheels were totally caked with wet grass and mud, which I left on them. I was hoping that's what threw the balance off. Still shaken up, I got it back to where I store it and just parked it. I haven't looked at it since and I really don't want to know if there's some serious damage to the rear end of the car.
Questions: Does it sound like there could be major damage? After all, that right rear did hit pretty hard. If so, what could I have knocked out of whack? Also, I was very surprised that the back let go like that. I had driven the car in the rain several times and it held the road rather well. Did I just hit a bad spot? That was some feeling when the back wheels spun, though, as I knew that I was in for a ride - which it was for sure. I'm just crossing my fingers that when I clean the wheels off and get that crud out, all will be fine. Hoping, hoping!
I'll let you know what happens.
John B.