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My oldest has been wanting a new car and we decided to go take a look. So we pile into his little ranger - son, his finance, a friend and myself.
Now any of you who have kids will understand when I say it kinda makes you nervous when your kid drives. I don’t know what it is - he is a very good driver - but I still get nervy.
So there we are, traveling down the highway right before the big rush hour. The road is all screwed up because of freeway expansion. It gets to a part where we are all boxed in by those concrete barricades and I say - “Son, this is making me nervous. We should have gone the other way.” And of course his reply was, “Mom this is the quickest way to get there.”
About that time we have to merge with 3 lanes of traffic and make our way over to the exit. (which is why I wanted to go the other way) I notice my son is looking at the steering wheel and it looks a little wiggly. We make it across the 3 lanes and are now at a very busy intersection.
Now I see that my son is having to hold the whole steering wheel column up and on. And he says, “Mom, stay calm.” Yeah right, I’m thinking - I’m calm, I’m fricking calm. But I don’t say anything - I was good.
The car dies and he informs us all that he can’t turn the wheel without it cutting off again. Oh great - here we are in rush hour traffic, the steering column has fallen off and my son is holding it up and somewhat on and we can’t turn the wheel without it dyeing.
Somehow he manages after a few tries to get it started and we try to make a turn. The wheels do turn slightly and it cuts off again. We are in the big middle of a busy street crosswise in the land of those who drive like maniacs. (in rush hour traffic)
After several tries he gets it going again and by the grace of God, no one hits us and we make it across 2 lanes of traffic before it dies again - coasting into the shopping center parking lot.
The good news is we made it - the bad news is the whole steering column has fallen off and we only have a screwdriver for a tool. I was really proud of my son and how he stayed cool under pressure.
lol, it all ended OK. We called my youngest to come get us and continue on to the car lot. Laughing because there are so many people in his little car that the back shocks are dragging a bit.
My son did get his new car - a Toyota Scion. It’s very nice. The steering wheel works real good, lol.
We had to have the old one towed home to the tune of $100 dollars - which I guess could have been worse.
And now I can say - I have been going down the freeway in rush hour traffic when the steering wheel column fell off - and lived to tell the tale. lol
