Hi guys, haven't been around in a while. The RX8 has been going along nicely and nearly 5 years old now.

Well tonight i am a little pissed off. Visited a friend who had just moved into a new house. Was driving into the driveway when BANG, the underside of the car was hammered.

After getting out of the car it seems there was about a 4 inch high steel plate in the middle of the driveway where the gate locks. Unfortunately since the driveway was uphill i was unable to see it.

Anyway it has ripped the crap out of the black strut about 3/4 of the way down the car above the exhaust. Its dark outside so i can't see properly but i think its the black strut as shown in this pic http://www.rx8club.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=49639&d=1115734697

Any idea on what i should do. It will obviously need to be replaced but if i am going to fork over $ should i go after market?

I tried to search before posting but not sure what to look for exactly.

Thanks.

Firstly, that's not a strut ... that's a crossmember

Secondly ... how bad is it? I doubt it would've ripped it, but how badly damaged is it? Can you please provide photos so we can let you know?

Thirdly, you can't go aftermarket, that's something you'll need to buy genuine, however you may be able to find one at a wrecker. Maybe not from a car that's had serious front-side damage, but from one that's had either a straight head-on or mid-rear side damage.

If it looks like you've damaged anything else your insurance company would be your next point of call.

I think autoexe make a replacement. but you might have to buy the set.

http://www.autoexe.co.jp/car/RX-8(SE)/se02mainpage/mse470soucyaku.jpg

Go back to stock strut. They are $60 each.

Make sure you know front or back is needed... they mixed up my mistake and I ended up changing both. $120.

After market is like $1000?

What he damaged I believe is the PPF bar. He did not hit the shock strut.

Thanks for the info guys. Have managed to locate the part for $51

Getting it fitted tomorrow. Hopefully there is no other damage, guess we will see once the car gets on the hoist.

$9 cheaper now! :eek:

I did this a while ago after running over a wombat. Its there for safety (in case the driveshaft drops) not support. Mine ripped right out of the floor pan so had to get it all welded back up. Cost me about 300$ all up.

Cheers

andrew

Seriously, a WOMBAT? hehehe

Sorry. :)

Seriously, a WOMBAT? hehehe

Sorry. :)
Yeah very serious. Ask taka what it smelt like. If you have never seen a pathologist gag at the smell of burning flesh, you should try it .. rather amusing :)

I think autoexe make a replacement. but you might have to buy the set.

http://www.autoexe.co.jp/car/RX-8(SE)/se02mainpage/mse470soucyaku.jpg

I actually have that sitting in my room, brand new and I'm looking to sell, but I have a feeling the shipping charges wouldn't make it worth it lol

Yeah very serious. Ask taka what it smelt like. If you have never seen a pathologist gag at the smell of burning flesh, you should try it .. rather amusing :)

Don't remind me....:spank:

I don't think I need details, but hey, thanks for the offer! lol

Well got the part and had it installed. $51 for the part + $52 for installation (easy job but not too bad considering it saved me trying to clamber under the car). Luckily there was no other damage to the car.

I have attached a few pics of the part if anyone needs it for future reference.