The tragic death of Leeroy...who saved my life while dying:(
03-31-2009, 03:02 AM
#32
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[QUOTE=Firemed;6435713]Never ever ever ever listen to firemen.....Did I just say that outloud?
Glad your OK
and the handbreak idea might have been a good one[QUOTE]
Firemen... Thank goodness they came to my rescue, I was in a tearfull state, & they were right there for me
UUmmm the handbreak...Yep didnt think about that till wayyyyyyy later
03-31-2009, 03:05 AM
#33
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See maybe Leeroy helped save someone else too
03-31-2009, 03:06 AM
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03-31-2009, 03:07 AM
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03-31-2009, 11:09 AM
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How many other folks out there have not replaced their blue line from the brake fluid to the clutch?
When I first got my shark it leaked badly at the top of the blue line. I had to cut it shorter to get a good seal. Decided to replace it last month before I put the engine back in...I'm surpised it still worked. It was very cracked and soft on the bottom half. Another accident like this one waiting to happen.
I have had 3 vehicle fires in my life. Each one started with a brake fluid issue.
Bottom line: We're glad you made it out okay. I would have soiled my britches going throguh what you did.
When I first got my shark it leaked badly at the top of the blue line. I had to cut it shorter to get a good seal. Decided to replace it last month before I put the engine back in...I'm surpised it still worked. It was very cracked and soft on the bottom half. Another accident like this one waiting to happen.
I have had 3 vehicle fires in my life. Each one started with a brake fluid issue.
Bottom line: We're glad you made it out okay. I would have soiled my britches going throguh what you did.
03-31-2009, 11:29 AM
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We need to talk about what to do when this happens. Keeping going is not an option. You need to stop immediately ... sprinting across 3 lanes when you cannot see; skipping into traffic across red lights ... VERY BAD IDEAS!!!
If you have no brakes, use your handbrake. It will always work. If not, use your engine.
If you have no brakes, use your handbrake. It will always work. If not, use your engine.
Also, do you remember last year (2008) when someone stopped their Van on the 5 Freeway in the same area? I'll refresh your memory, cars are going at a minimum of 80 mph on that stretch of Interstate 5 in either direction. Van broke down sitting in the middle of the freeway, driver luckily was able to get out of the Van and run to the side of the freeway. Van was hit by Semi-Truck (Vons I believe) at a high rate of speed, Van explodes and ends up on the hillside. Both Van and Truck are burned to the ground. Interstate 5 was shut down for miles for about 6 hours. Everybody was stuck on the freeway, no turnarounds.
Like I said, luck was on her side and possibly saved the lives of others by NOT stopping on the freeway as suggested.
03-31-2009, 12:15 PM
#39
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I can remember from many (40+) years ago that the life expectancy of a pedestrian driver on the Long Island Expresway during rush hour was less than 15 seconds. Unless your car is on fire and about to eat you, you tend to be a lot safer in the car than on foot in the middle lanes. That of course brings us to the point where it's really dangerous driving a car that might strand you in the middle lanes. Do as Lisa did and get to the shoulder SAP before you jump out.
03-31-2009, 12:25 PM
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The USA 80-84 cars the injector hoses are a common source for fuel leaks . Odds are the fire melted the plastic fitting for the power brake booster and there was no power assist which in that situation would FEEL like no brakes. Good news is the car can be replaced !
03-31-2009, 12:41 PM
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I agree I've done similar things in emergencies, when I should have done the exact opposite, causing me damage and risk I could have avoided. However, the one thing no-one has addressed, is whether, when your brakes fail and you have no visibility, you should skip across 3 lanes at speed, enter an intersection against a light, and continue going. As Jim Bailey said, the brakes will work if you keep on them, just power assist is gone. And if the brakes fail totally, there is the emergency handbrake. And in all of this, the option of engine braking dropping to a lower gear is always there too. I'm talking about what saves lives. I'm not recriminating or in any way criticising.
In my driving and other experiences, it is my own inability to act quickly, that has caused me the most harm. I'm always scared I'll do more harm than good. Not to mention that in emergencies, as stated, you have but a split-second to make your decisions. I can tell you however that as another driver on that road, I would have hated to be crossing the intersection with my child in the car at that time.
In my driving and other experiences, it is my own inability to act quickly, that has caused me the most harm. I'm always scared I'll do more harm than good. Not to mention that in emergencies, as stated, you have but a split-second to make your decisions. I can tell you however that as another driver on that road, I would have hated to be crossing the intersection with my child in the car at that time.
Hindsite 20/20. She did what needed to be done in her mind in the nano second she had to make the decision. Although seems like a lot of luck was on her side, the outcome is what matters.
Also, do you remember last year (2008) when someone stopped their Van on the 5 Freeway in the same area? I'll refresh your memory, cars are going at a minimum of 80 mph on that stretch of Interstate 5 in either direction. Van broke down sitting in the middle of the freeway, driver luckily was able to get out of the Van and run to the side of the freeway. Van was hit by Semi-Truck (Vons I believe) at a high rate of speed, Van explodes and ends up on the hillside. Both Van and Truck are burned to the ground. Interstate 5 was shut down for miles for about 6 hours. Everybody was stuck on the freeway, no turnarounds.
Like I said, luck was on her side and possibly saved the lives of others by NOT stopping on the freeway as suggested.
Also, do you remember last year (2008) when someone stopped their Van on the 5 Freeway in the same area? I'll refresh your memory, cars are going at a minimum of 80 mph on that stretch of Interstate 5 in either direction. Van broke down sitting in the middle of the freeway, driver luckily was able to get out of the Van and run to the side of the freeway. Van was hit by Semi-Truck (Vons I believe) at a high rate of speed, Van explodes and ends up on the hillside. Both Van and Truck are burned to the ground. Interstate 5 was shut down for miles for about 6 hours. Everybody was stuck on the freeway, no turnarounds.
Like I said, luck was on her side and possibly saved the lives of others by NOT stopping on the freeway as suggested.
03-31-2009, 01:10 PM
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03-31-2009, 01:42 PM
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I lost all brakes a while back and it is a scary feeling. I had exited the freeway so the hand brake was a viable option at the lower speeds. I don't think it would do a lot of good traveling at 50-70 mph. Even at slow speeds you have to pull really hard to get it to slow.
