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Could incorrect towing damage a steering column? What are the possible consequences of incorrect towing?
My car was towed flatbed, loaded from the rear. The tow truck driver didn't align the back of the truck to my car straight on, so he snatched the car over to align it up before pulling it up onto the bed.
I found that my steering column has been ripped off. The whole right side of the column is dangling off. The entire aluminum cast housing is broken and the bolts along with the plastic attached to them is broken off (clean breaks).
Could this have happened as a cause of incorrect towing?
What are the consequences of incorrect towing?
Was definitely not a break-in. The car was locked, alarmed, and had other expensive items inside (out of plain view of course). Everything looked untouched and it was inside the garage the whole time it was at the mechanic.
3 Answers
- SteveLv 61 decade agoFavorite Answer
As I just answered in your other question, no, it's absolutely not from towing. Somebody tried to steal the car while it was at their tow lot. The only way it could happen is intentionally and it's the most common way to start a car without a key.
Here's the bad news, good luck proving it. Your only shot is to try to figure out who their insurance company is and report it on your own to them. Or, if it makes sense with your comp deductible, call your insurance company have them pay for it up front and let them fight it out with their insurance.
The only common damage from flatbed towing is scratches or cracks to the front or rear bumper. More common towing damage happens with standard tow trucks that leave two wheels on the ground. If they leave the drive wheels on the ground they can cause serious drivetrain damage and even cause the vehicle to catch on fire.
Source(s): ex insurance adjuster that's seen hundreds of break ins and thousands of wrecked cars. - 1 decade ago
Is there any damage underneath tha car? Are the drive shafts bent? wat did he attatch the tow-rope/chain to on your car? Look for damage underneath, then trace bak through the car. I don't see how a bad tow cud cause a steering-column to break. That to me is suspicious, and cud consequently have occurred if someone in question was to attempt to start your car whilst reversing car off truck or watever and has used force. Or it cud have been brittle to begin with, depending on your make and year model of car, I know that some vehicles are suspect for it....
Look Im not saying wat im suggesting is correct, just rule out other possibilities first, and if you really want to get a second opinion I'd suggest getting an insurance company to check it out, so dont touch it yourself until you get the correct help.
Good luck
- 1 decade ago
yes he proabably mess up your car by doing that maybe he was just starting to tow but he migth of mest up your steering so you should really check a mechanic just in case an try to sue the company to pay for the damage because you never know the steering may have gotten loose an if you turn fast it may break....
