The broken driveshaft, why I’m buying TWO tow ropes and the scary drive

The broken driveshaft, why I’m buying TWO tow ropes and the scary drive – perhaps not the snappiest title but please let me tell you the story.

Earlier this week I managed to break a driveshaft on my car.  Not sure how, I was just starting off in the driveway and I heard a thud.  The thud wasn’t too loud but it became clear I was slowing down as I went through the open gate, across the pavement and onto the road, something was wrong.

The engine was still running and sounded alright, so I put the clutch down (which seemed normal) and let the clutch out only to stay where I was – in the middle of the road.  Luckily we live in a cul-de-sac and the road was quiet.  I couldn’t figure out what was wrong.

Somehow I managed to push the car to the side of the road, left it here and drove off somewhat puzzled in our little Honda Jazz.  I later called our mechanic friend who came and diagnosed the broken drive shaft.  He seemed to think that was “quite good really” although I  confess I wasn’t feeling the same way.  He explained a broken driveshaft was better than a knackered clutch or gearbox.

Our friend Iain wasn’t able to fix it and our Plan B garage was “rammed for at least two weeks” which I took as being fairly busy for a while.  Plan C was a nearby tyre and exhaust place who said they could fix it today.

The only thing to solve was how to get my car there.  While it isn’t far away, it does involve crossing a very busy road.  And so a plan was hatched.  Trouble is, it didn’t quite go to plan!

1. friend Geoff says he will help.  This means he will steer my Toyota while it is being towed
2. find tow rope in garage
3. attach the tow rope to both cars while lying down on the wet ground, getting rather damp, cold and shivery
4. set off very smoothly.  Not much choice going slowly in the little Honda Jazz pulling the heavy Toyota but it does alright
5. BANG! Within a few yards the tow rope snaps right in the middle.  The only one I had.  Traffic starting to build up while we push the car to the side of the road.  Nobody came to help, after all, it was pouring with rain
6. We drove to Geoff’s house as he said he might find a tow rope
7. Back to our road and we struggle for ages trying to un-do a knot.  Gave up, cut it.  Needed two pairs of scissors.
8. Both of us getting really cold and wet now
9. Connected both cars with rather short tow rope, probably only 6 feet between the cars
10. Geoff starts the Toyota engine so he has power steering and brakes
11. We drove “around the houses” to avoid trying to turn right onto busy main road
12. While on the way, I stayed in first or second gear.  Terrified of jerking the rope and breaking it or stopping so quickly Geoff goes into the back
13. All okay until we get to Downs Road.  A long road with cars parked either side, only leaving enough for one car at a time.  I waited for ages until it was clear and went for it, in a smooth, slow kind of way.  Then we were met by cars coming the opposite way and we couldn’t easily pass each other.  They didn’t realise that Geoff couldn’t move on his own.  Eventually we get going again
14. Arrive at T-junction, need to turn right.  Getting busy now.  Eventually someone let me out, not before someone impatient was blowing their horn from behind
15. Eventually got to main road. All we had to do was turn left and drive about 50 yards before we reached the garage on the other side
16. Again some kind person let me into the traffic.  Quite hard work for the little Honda as it was pulling up a steep camber onto a road going slightly uphill
17. We made it, pulled into garage.  Phew.  My heart was pounding but had thankful thoughts
18. Tow rope knots were now so wet and tight, I had to ask for a knife from the garage.   Had to wait my turn in the queue of people collecting their cars with shiny new tyres etc.  They didn’t have a knife, only a hack saw blade, so a bit of improvisation but it worked
19. Handed keys over to garage.
20. Took Geoff home.
21. Ordered TWO tow ropes from Amazon.  One for Geoff, one for me.

Phew, I cant tell you how scary that drive was.  Probably only half a mile but flip, I was scared.  But we made it!

Spent much of the evening feeling cold and shivery.  In our sitting room we watched TV with heating at 25c and I was under a blanket.  Took hours to warm up.

Now, as I write on the following day, the garage have said it won’t be ready until 5-ish.  Probably means 6-ish?  I said not to hurry, do a good job.

£ouch.

And ‘thank you’ so much Geoff, I’ll bring the new tow rope around soon.