'You’re Gonna Exist in the Metaverse:' Why Does This Woman’s Car Have People Fearing for Her Life?

A reaction video has gone viral after a woman revealed what’s going on underneath her car. Spoiler alert: It’s not good.  

In an Instagram Reel that’s generated over 2 million views as of this writing, Alfred “Fredo” Thomas III (@fredoontv) films a reaction to a TikTok user named Julia Ernst (@juliaernstt1) asking her followers if she was in a bad car situation.

“I know a lot of men and women follow me. Does anybody know if this is bad for a car?” the woman asks. 

The woman goes on to reveal what’s going on underneath her car, and it is jarring. One of the woman’s car parts was completely disconnected and barely holding on. 

Thomas III interrupts the woman's video with a high-pitched “Uh, well, you know, it’s subjective—just depends on how you feel about life,” he reacts.

He continues to express concern about the situation in a joking manner: “If you really don’t care to be here no more, you’ll probably appreciate the wireless adapter. The Bluetooth device has successfully connected. You know, you are going to exist in the Metaverse. If you really like being here or want to see your kids grow up, love on your family, I’d suggest you go get it checked out.” 

Viewers Speculate

Commenters believed the issue to be either the leaf spring shackle disconnecting from the frame or the control arm bracket being ripped off the axle. 

“I think it’s the leaf spring shackle came disconnected from the frame. It’s cooked I believe,” one TikTok commenter shared. 

“Looks like the control arm disconnected from the rear axle. The control arms keep your axle from twisting out of alignment. If you drive with that broken your rear tires won't be facing fully forward after you hit a bump,” a second added.

“I don’t think that’s a control arm bracket, that’s a leaf spring shackle that broke from the frame. It’s a high risk to drive that, you’ll most likely lose control and crash, or damage other components due to the structural damage causing other weak points throughout the chassis,” a third replied. 

While the footage angle makes it difficult to confirm what the issue is, everyone agrees: This is a crucial issue that needs to be fixed immediately.

“I know nothing but I know it's bad,” one commenter shared. 

“That’s you signing out of life,” another added.

"At least she asked,” Thomas III captioned the video.

What Do Leaf Spring Shackles Do?

According to General Springs, leaf spring shackles allow vehicle springs to move over various terrains, including potholes, rocks, bumps, and uneven surfaces. These shackles ensure the length of the leaf springs moves in accordance with the suspension. 

Without these shackles, the leaf spring suspension could bottom out, leading to inadequate handling and a rough ride. Symptoms of worn-down shackles include a harsh ride, odd noises, broken springs, and a leaning vehicle. 

When the shackles break, a car becomes more dangerous to drive. “Shackles on a leaf sprung truck are what hold the leaf securely to the frame. Broken ones are definitely something that needs to be addressed right away, and shouldn't be driven until then,” a Reddit mechanic shared. 

What Does the Control Arm Bracket Do?

The control arms connect the vehicle's frame to the steering knuckle that holds the wheel assembly together and plays a crucial role in vehicle stability, Premier Tire reports. The wheels are able to move up and down with these control arms while staying aligned with the vehicle's body. This movement ensures a smooth ride, even when driving over rough roads.  

Additionally, these control arms play a major part in the vehicle's alignment. Firestone Tires shares that vehicle alignment can improve fuel efficiency, tire life, and vehicle handling. 

When control arm brackets are damaged, you may experience issues steering and handling, CarParts reports. Symptoms of a bad control arm include strange sounds, steering issues, and irregular tire wear.

Damaged control arms will make the vehicle difficult to control and may even lead to unexpected swerving when driving, Suspension MFG shares. It is advised not to drive with any cracked, bent, or broken control assembly. Additionally, if the ball joint is broken, this leads to the possibility of the vehicle detaching entirely from the wheel hub or steering knuckle. Instead of driving in this condition, it’s best to have the car towed. 

Whether the woman’s issue was with the leaf spring shackle or the control arm bracket, neither problem is ideal to have. 

Motor1 has contacted Thomas III via email and Instagram direct message. It contacted Ernst via TikTok direct message. This story will be updated if either party replies.