Some bad luck...

[paul9962]

Driving out of work yesterday, through an open gate, then BANG!!
Clipped a ground anchor where the gates meet to be locked at night, which for 2 weeks hasn't caused me any problems since having me G40.
Its belted the cross member an bent it sending my gearbox about 6 inches toward the back of the car.
To say I wasn't happy is understatement, and where I work are trying to worm out of sorting it on thier insurance.

[PeteG40]

bad luck - which cross member? if its the radiator one - they are like butter!!!

[paul9962]

Its the rear one Pete, work are trying to say its because my car is too low, standard clearance isnt mega low on polo's though? Or is this something I'm gonna have to watch out for in future?

[G-spot]

[quote pid=1514 author=paul9962 date=1212009815]Its the rear one Pete, work are trying to say its because my car is too low, standard clearance isnt mega low on polo's though? Or is this something I'm gonna have to watch out for in future?[/quote]
They ain't the tallest of cars, but still sounds like a nasty prange, have you got a pic to show exactly whats happened?  
Is it the tunnel stiffner thats caught, or do you have a lower strut brace perhaps??  
Can't work out what has caught to cause the gearbox/engine to move that far, I guess it don't drive at the moment then?  

[PeteG40]

sounds weird - the tunnel brace is behind the gearbox so can't see that being the cause... unles syou have an after market strut brace?

[Tav]

The tunnel/cat brace is just about the lowest point on the car.  Any time I've hit anything it's the cat brace that takes the brunt of the hit.

[PeteG40]

[quote pid=1531 author=Tav date=1212059109]The tunnel/cat brace is just about the lowest point on the car.  Any time I've hit anything it's the cat brace that takes the brunt of the hit.[/quote]

i agree - but pushing the gearbox 5" back... HMMM

PICS!

[paul9962]

I feel sick, its gonna be a write off.
Damaged the bulk head and torn half the floor out.
There are pics but I've seen em once and not sure I want to look at them again or else I'll be on a witch hunt for whos responsible

[Jake]

Is the cat brace essential? Mine is missing on my car at the mo. If it should be there, I'll get one but if it doesn't, it gives me a little more ground clearance...

[Alex]

Probably not essential, but the shell's not the most rigid even with it in place, I'd leave it there and watch out for tall obstacles.

Gutted to hear about the car Paul.

[hayesey]

I don't have the brace on mine either as I seem to have lost it when my car was sat in my garage for ages.

[PeteG40]

i have a spare brace if you want it paul

[hayesey]

yes please!