"TheRealBicycleBuck" (therealbicyclebuck)
06/02/2015 at 10:55 • Filed to: None
2
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"TheRealBicycleBuck" (therealbicyclebuck)
06/02/2015 at 10:55 • Filed to: None | 2
| 5 |
While traversing the highways and byways of Houston yesterday, I came upon a Chevy Prizm with some issues. It was traveling significantly slower than the rest of the traffic and the driver was having trouble maintaining lane position. As I moved left to pass, I could see why.
The driver’s side front wheel was wobbling like an out-of-balance washing machine on the spin cycle. I couldn’t tell exactly what was wrong, but I thought he might have lost some lug nuts and was about to lose the wheel.
Perhaps he was fixated on the steering wheel which was dancing in his hands. Perhaps the vibrations lulled him into a stupor. Either way, no amount of honking, hand-waving, or light-flashing could get Mr. Prizm’s attention. So I settled on the most reasonable thing I could think of - I pulled in behind him, turned on my hazards, and called the highway patrol.
Before an officer could find us, Mr. Prizm worked his way off the freeway and I, thinking I could lend him a hand, followed. He eventually stopped at a convenience store and I pulled in beside him. Before he opened the door, he looked out the window and saw me. Either I look scarier than I think or he is easily frightened - in either case, he adopted a deer-in-the-headlights look and true to form, froze in place.
It took several minutes of charades before he opened the door. I learned how hard it is to pantomime “wobbly wheel, dumbass” to someone who doesn’t know he is part of the game. I didn’t want to scare him off, so I tried to explain the problem through my open passenger window. I finally gained enough trust that I could get out without him bolting. This is what I found:
The damage was severe enough that entire wheel was bent and no longer tracked straight. I pointed out the problem and explained to him that this wheel wasn’t safe. In a clear flash of deductive reasoning, he asked me if this was the reason his steering wheel was shaking.
I asked him when he wrecked his car. He insisted that he hadn’t. He did say, however, that he lent his car to a friend and that there might have been an “incident.”
It will be tempting to start bashing on the stupidity of American drivers, but you should know one more thing. This guy recently came over from India and his car still had paper tags. I don’t know how he got a license or even if he had one. The one thing I do know is that he has no business being behind the wheel.
Tapas
> TheRealBicycleBuck
06/02/2015 at 11:17 |
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It took several minutes of charades before he opened the door. I learned how hard it is to pantomime “wobbly wheel, dumbass” to someone who doesn’t know he is part of the game.
Hahaha :D He probably had never driven a car before he got to the US, which is not uncommon. One clue is he chose to own a Chevy Prism.
But If you can no longer control a car, that should be a sign to anyone anywhere in the world.
Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer
> TheRealBicycleBuck
06/02/2015 at 12:48 |
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This guy recently came over from India
Based on my observations in my locale, this is your problem here. Not trying to be racist, just observant. I have no problem with them as people but the fact remains it’s
waaaaay
too easy for someone fresh off the boat to get a license here. Especially considering Indian driving style...
Sorry in advance if this offends anyone.
jkm7680
> TheRealBicycleBuck
06/03/2015 at 07:56 |
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God, what an idiot. Last week I saw an Accord Wagon with about the same issue, except the wheel had some negative camber that was truly accidental.
thebigbossyboss
> TheRealBicycleBuck
06/03/2015 at 08:17 |
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Could it have been a broken ball joint?
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TheRealBicycleBuck
> thebigbossyboss
06/03/2015 at 08:27 |
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All of the shaking came from the bent wheel. It’s possible that a tie-rod was bent, but everything was still connected.