Steering damage loading on flatbed?
Discussion
Had my 997 recovered today for a coolant leak. During mounting on the flatbed truck there were some difficulties and it became apparent that the front wheels were no longer pointing in the same direction:
The problem was only noticed after trying to tow the car onto the flat bed and it was still in park (it's a PDK). The guy noticed the car wasn't moving freely so checked the handbrake and put it in neutral. Could that have done this damage? Previously, I had noticed a bit of clunking from what I thought was the front nearside in certain situtations so possible that something was already not right, but nothing visually wrong and handling was fine right up until loading today.
The problem was only noticed after trying to tow the car onto the flat bed and it was still in park (it's a PDK). The guy noticed the car wasn't moving freely so checked the handbrake and put it in neutral. Could that have done this damage? Previously, I had noticed a bit of clunking from what I thought was the front nearside in certain situtations so possible that something was already not right, but nothing visually wrong and handling was fine right up until loading today.
jh001ace said:
Where on your car did the breakdown guy attach the winch wire?
Used the towing eye for the main cable and then a secondary one was connect under the car on the near side but was left loose. I wonder if that secondary one got trapped under the wheel and pulled something.
gottans said:
Mine got recovered for a flat battery of all things, when it was loaded they did use a secondary strap, IIRC it was around the front driveshaft but I have a C4S.
Not sure where the strap would go on a C2S though.
Nowhere without taking the front under tray off.Not sure where the strap would go on a C2S though.
If I ever need my 996 winching onto a flat bed, I'll be politely telling the operative NOT to attach a strap to any moving driveline or suspension component.
Madness.
The one time I allowed my car to be winched onto a vehicle (they didn't allow drive-on, had I known I'd have booked a different vehicle for the movement), they used a secondary strap. Unsurprisingly, it was attached to the tow eye. Who in their right mind would attach to suspension components (no criticism of the OP - only the "professional" who rigged up the transporter)?
Was the towing company arranged via your insurance? They probably won't be getting any other towing job in the future than!! 
You really have to monitor them though, I had some really professional and butchers in the past.. One just showed up with cigarette in his hand, and trying to complete all with one hand. I took a photo of him, while smoking and using only one hand, and told him that would go directly to the insurance company. He got pissed off but adjusted his behaviour. Some of them were great people though, quite professional and fast.
You really have to monitor them though, I had some really professional and butchers in the past.. One just showed up with cigarette in his hand, and trying to complete all with one hand. I took a photo of him, while smoking and using only one hand, and told him that would go directly to the insurance company. He got pissed off but adjusted his behaviour. Some of them were great people though, quite professional and fast.
Jabbah said:
Just hoping there isn't any further damage caused by the stresses involved.
Shouldn't be. Various bits of steering and suspension are designed to fail under extreme, but foreseeable loads. I span a car on the Goodwood circuit and bent a suspension wishbone as a front wheel dug in when the car span onto the grass. Cars can also bend suspension bits on severe kerbing or potholes and these dynamic loads will be higher than from winching.Critically stupid move from the recovery driver.
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