RX8Club I need help! I was driving down the highway today when something fell from the car in front of me, and I drove over it. It must've been bouncing or something still, because there was a loud thud, and then a scraping noise. I stopped and look underneath, sure enough there was a (cross member?) hanging down from my car, screeching against the road. The piece of debris knocked it loose!!! I haven't had a chance to jack up the car, but it was near the Cat, and I faintly remember an "X" shaped member under there. The piece is still hanging, and I will try and get pics tomorrow. I assume this piece was there for structural rigidity?

1) Where can I get another one?
2) Does it NEED replaced (ie is it supposed to hold something up?)
3) My fuel gauge also started acting up after the hit, as it constantly shows 3/4 tank, even after my 480 mile trip....what could have caused that?!?! The sensor shouldn't be under the car where it was hit right?

I would appreciate any help!!!!

Thanks!!

EDIT: Pics posted below. Looks like it bent this piece, and now I can't even get to the 2 bolts. Any idea what its for? Also it seems to have cut through the outer layer of the fuel tank? How does this affect the sensor? The fuel shouldn't leak right (no leaks on driveway, no smell of gas so i think its good for now)? Just need to make sure it doesn't rust out? How do I even go about replacing this?!?!

 

Some pictures would help a lot but there are metal pieces that cross over the cat. They are held on pretty securely though.

 

yea i'll have to get the pics tomorrow morning, but the piece was basically ripped off....which surprised me too....the fuel gauge problem is really confusing me too..

 

photos uploaded. damage was worse than i thought.....

 

If you have full coverage insurance, claim the accident and they will probably total the car. That body damage is not pretty at all. The gas tank shield is damaged, take a flashlight and look closely to see if the tank itself is damaged, because that's what I would be most worried about. The accident may have damaged a fuel tank level sender, there are two and if one is broke the gauge will read wrong. The wires for the sender go out the top, so they should be fine.

The crossmember is only there to keep the frame rigid, not very important by itself, but it will affect handling a little.

All in all the tears through the body are pretty bad. Again I would expect insurance to total the car, but I am not an insurance inspector.

 

can anyone point me in the right direction to replace the fuel level sender? all the threads i've seen, people just already "know" how to replace it haha.

i'm bringing it to a mechanic tomorrow to see what needs to be done with the tank, and i probably won't be able to replace the cross member since the mounting points have been messed up....i don't want to have the car totaled....

 

Inevitably, it has to... Specially with the damage involving the frame.

 

All I got is......................Ouch!!!!! Call the insurance company and have them look at it. If it needs to be totaled then more than likely it needs to be.

 

yea....we'll see i guess. anyone have experience with the fuel sending unit?

 

CAll insurance if u have full coverage.

otherwise ... I don't know, bring it to a bodyshop and see what they say.