Just ripped my underside across a parking lot spike strip

**ThaVerge** · 08-02-2012 10:27 AM

Had my car lowered over the last month (24" in the front), and I think I just fucked up :(

Was driving into a parking lot with those one-way spike strips, and I took it rather slow because I had scraped on some speedbumps earlier. Immediately, I hear this ungodly noise, and a couple of clunks.

I stop and check the underside, and my front bumper has gouges in it, the plastic belly pan is gone, and one cross-member is bent

. I start her up again, and the engine sounds tinnier, but I think that is because of the crossbar hitting the exhaust pipes (please let it be this!).

I'm heading out to take some photos now, but I was hoping to get input from you guys to see if anyone has encountered anything like this.

Minimum changes - Thor (?) skidplate, and raise her by 1/2 inch. Any other suggestions?

**RAGING_BEAST** · 08-02-2012 10:42 AM

Learn to drive a lowered car and how to ride over speed bumps and other obstacles...people with lowered cars don't avoid stuff like that an take speed bumps at an angle for no reason. This is just one of the reasons why I no longer prefer lowered cars.

**jrtrainor** · 08-02-2012 10:43 AM

by any chance is the cross member that is bent a thin aluminum one in the center of the car? All that is is a drive shaft catch and most people take that off. I clear speed bumps no problem at 24.25 and i highly doubt that .25 is the reason i do haha. that cross bar can go without any issues. the plastic tray always disappears eventually either run another one or invest in a thor skidplate. I luckily havent run through mine yet.

**tankdeer** · 08-02-2012 11:44 AM

I clear MOST speed bumps without issue at 23.5. In for pics of the carnage though

**stupdfresh** · 08-02-2012 11:45 AM

^+1 I would just take the cross memeber off, It may protect the bottom side of your exhaust from scraping (speed bumps) but thats the only benifit.

**CorneliusRox** · 08-02-2012 12:23 PM

Yeah, that isnt a cross member, it is a bar in case the drive shaft starts spinning around I guess. Most take it off, but you'll need triple squares.

It doesnt sound that bad. If I were you, I would remove that, maybe get a thore bellypan if you want one, and get something like a cupra lip to take the abuse (like I do).

**ThaVerge** · 08-02-2012 01:19 PM

OK guys, I just jacked it up and it doesn't look as bad as I expected. However, there is a whistling sound when I hit the gas which has me a most worried :(

Here are the pics...

What I saw initially

bolt on this side looks ok

bolt on this side is fucked

Hole in the front plastic pan

tatters of plastic

**CorneliusRox** · 08-02-2012 01:22 PM

Just take the belly pan off for now (I ride without mine on), and then take the 'crossmember' off or bend it back for now

**jrtrainor** · 08-02-2012 01:27 PM

just take the alluminum catch bar off. get a belly pan if you absolutely need one and the whistling is probably un related to the event your probably just now noticing it and im willing to bet its a torn DV

**nan07** · 08-02-2012 02:10 PM

Originally Posted by jrtrainor

and the whistling is probably un related to the event your probably just now noticing it and im willing to bet its a torn DV

or just the wind blowing through the carnage

**jrtrainor** · 08-02-2012 02:36 PM

Originally Posted by nan07

or just the wind blowing through the carnage

this too but i assumed he was hearing it while sitting still. "a whistling sound when I hit the gas" not sure. I whistled when my diaphragm DV tore.

**CorneliusRox** · 08-02-2012 02:36 PM

Originally Posted by nan07

or just the wind blowing through the carnage

x2

**tankdeer** · 08-02-2012 02:51 PM

Looks like the damage is minimal. Time to lower it.

**FelizPrim3** · 08-02-2012 02:53 PM

belly pan off then remove aluminum bar. just be happy your car is drivable and isn't sitting in your driveway waiting for parts to come in. i miss driving my car

**ThaVerge** · 08-02-2012 05:42 PM

Originally Posted by jrtrainor

this too but i assumed he was hearing it while sitting still. "a whistling sound when I hit the gas" not sure. I whistled when my diaphragm DV tore.

I'm hearing it when I'm sitting still, and it definitely was not there before this happened, and was there immediately after. So unless the DV decided to tear right then, I doubt that is the the cause. Its not so much a whistle, but rather a tinny note. Maybe its the exhaust pipes hitting against the bent aluminum. :/

**Audi_509** · 08-02-2012 08:38 PM

Originally Posted by tankdeer

Looks like the damage is minimal. Time to lower it.

I like your style.

Anywho, when my aluminum bar was rubbing the exhaust it sounded more like exhaust drone in the cabin.

**quattro47** · 08-02-2012 11:56 PM

Doesn't seem too bad..
As everyone has said, just take off the aluminum bar. I finally did my exhaust this past weekend and just removed that piece...

**jrtrainor** · 08-03-2012 04:54 AM

Originally Posted by ThaVerge

I'm hearing it when I'm sitting still, and it definitely was not there before this happened, and was there immediately after. So unless the DV decided to tear right then, I doubt that is the the cause. Its not so much a whistle, but rather a tinny note. Maybe its the exhaust pipes hitting against the bent aluminum. :/

Test out your theory. Rip that useless thing off and see if said high pitched noise returns

**Exanimas** · 08-03-2012 05:51 AM

The solution:

**CorneliusRox** · 08-03-2012 06:09 AM

Originally Posted by Exanimas

The solution:

no more trunk!

**tankdeer** · 08-03-2012 07:53 AM

Originally Posted by CorneliusRox

no more trunk!

You can do stealth installs

**CorneliusRox** · 08-03-2012 08:06 AM

Originally Posted by tankdeer

You can do stealth installs

I know, but that one is not. 4 compressors! overkill!
I would actually like to try building one at some point in time. Not for me, but it looks like fun (like building my trucks box/back seat). idk if I have pics somewhere.

**tankdeer** · 08-03-2012 08:17 AM

Originally Posted by CorneliusRox

I know, but that one is not. 4 compressors! overkill!
I would actually like to try building one at some point in time. Not for me, but it looks like fun (like building my trucks box/back seat). idk if I have pics somewhere.

No, that is definitely not one. IIRC, that is from the Rotiform B8 Avant - very much a show setup vs more utilitarian. I want to build one someday too, but for me.

**wildcat333** · 08-03-2012 11:24 AM

Does that air bag system say fancy cock on it????

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk.

**tankdeer** · 08-03-2012 11:25 AM

Your cock isn't fancy???

**jrtrainor** · 08-03-2012 01:50 PM

Nuff said

**tankdeer** · 08-03-2012 01:52 PM

Originally Posted by jrtrainor

Nuff said

Bandwagon much?

**FelizPrim3** · 08-03-2012 02:05 PM

if i had money id buy air ride.

**tankdeer** · 08-03-2012 02:07 PM

Originally Posted by FelizPrim3

if i had money id buy air ride.

Likewise

**jrtrainor** · 08-03-2012 02:17 PM

Originally Posted by tankdeer

Bandwagon much?

What you mean? I just thought it supported how i feel about the matter. bags are useless the second you hit a track. but thats just my .02

**tankdeer** · 08-03-2012 02:29 PM

Originally Posted by jrtrainor

bags are useless the second you hit a track. but thats just my .02

So is a B7 A4.

My point is they have completely different purposes. Not everybody is trying to build a track car.

**jrtrainor** · 08-03-2012 02:38 PM

Originally Posted by tankdeer

So is a B7 A4.

My point is they have completely different purposes. Not everybody is trying to build a track car.

i agree that they have different purposes and my opinion is buying bags is not the best option. And im not saying everyone is trying to build a track car, thats just one of the biggest reasons against owning bags for me. Coils are adjustable and offer better handling. The only problem is the time it takes to change ride heights. Idk if bags are for you go for it but i will be in the coils corner until they build bags that can take a corner as well as my coils.

**Solarsuplex** · 08-03-2012 02:43 PM

All of what you have shown in thos pictures has been completely ripped off on my car. Minus the middle plate. I hammered it back up cause i use it as a feeler a use it to throw sparks on le freeway. ;)

**tankdeer** · 08-03-2012 03:24 PM

Originally Posted by jrtrainor

i agree that they have different purposes and my opinion is buying bags is not the best option. And im not saying everyone is trying to build a track car, thats just one of the biggest reasons against owning bags for me. Coils are adjustable and offer better handling. The only problem is the time it takes to change ride heights. Idk if bags are for you go for it but i will be in the coils corner until they build bags that can take a corner as well as my coils.

While I'm not arguing that coils are definitely better for a serious track car, bags have come a long way since floaty assed '70's Cadillacs. Air Lift in particular has been putting a lot of work into firmer, performance based bag systems. And have given them plenty of track time as well. They are going out of their way to prove that air setups can handle track duty too

http://www.airliftperformance.com/20...car-challenge/
http://www.airliftperformance.com/20...ang/#more-2938

Originally Posted by Solarsuplex

All of what you have shown in thos pictures has been completely ripped off on my car. Minus the middle plate. I hammered it back up cause i use it as a feeler a use it to throw sparks on le freeway. ;)

James on the other hand, likes to drive slow and air out on the freeway.

**morzechowski** · 08-03-2012 03:31 PM

Red sport shocks + moderate lowering springs = Win. + under $300 for the whole setup.

**ryanworth** · 08-03-2012 04:32 PM

Originally Posted by jrtrainor

Nuff said

That's an interesting shirt for one of the owners of Dupkorps in fact has his Avant on air...

**jrtrainor** · 08-03-2012 05:57 PM

Originally Posted by ryanworth

That's an interesting shirt for one of the owners of Dupkorps in fact has his Avant on air...

I noticed when grabbing the link for that pic they support both sides of the war haha.

And @tankdeer the problem is what your paying for with bags is the option to change ride height instantly but is that really worth $2200?