Flipped Cart, What Now?????

[threej's]

First time posting but been reading alot on here. Unfortunately this past weekend the wife had a bad accident on our 98 EZ-GO. Something let go in the steering and she lost control and flipped onto side.

Question 1. I dont see anything broken or loose underneath but the steering feels real loose and sloppy now, Anyone know what may have caused this? This is what she said she felt before the crash and when it started to swerve she had no control of it.

Question2. After sitting on its side for around an hour while medical personell where attending to her is there anything special i should do before firing it up again? I know it lost alot of oil as it was all over the road. Was going to drain that and start from there.

Just wanted to get some advice before i mess it up worse that it was in the accident.

Thanks guys.

[meangreenmachine72]

Sorry to hear about accident. How is she doing ? It sounds like the steering rod snapped, broken gear in box or striped spline. I would do just like you said, drain fluids and refill to proper levels, check spark plug and surrounding area for damage. Check battery fluid level and be ready for some smoke. Hope everything works out for you.

[mcdave71]

Pull the spark plug after checking oil level and turn over a few times. If any oil is in there it'll blow out most of it. Plug back in a try to fire up. Carb on it's side should be fine after sitting back upright a while.

[Airbagged]

It's a good idea to remove the spark plug and spray brake parts cleaner into the engine, it driesup any oil residue just spray someone and then turn over the engine a few times then just replace your plug.
Definitely do an oil change, and check the battery acid level in your battery.
As for the steering, check your tie rod ends inner and outer, if they are good check the steering box for play, do so by disconnecting the steering linkage and see if the steering shaft turns easily side to side without the wheels turning, if it does it's damaged. If the steering box is still tight check the steering rod and linkage going into the steering column, you may even want to pull the column and inspect inside.

Good luck, hope the wife is ok

[threej's]

Thanks guys. Broken wrist and some bruises / road rash but she will be ok. Couldve been alot worse. Appreciate the help.