What do you look for after hitting a pothole?

Check for Scrapes and Leaks

Speaking of damage where you might not see it, a deep enough pothole can also scrape or impact other components located in the undercarriage. The exhaust is one example — look for new dents and listen for odd new sounds coming from that area if you go over a deep pothole.

What to check after hitting a big pothole?

What does pothole damage look like?

Bulges or bubbles in the tire sidewall should be addressed immediately. When you hit a pothole, you can damage the inner liner of the tire. This damage allows air to escape and create the bulge you see. You're at risk for a tire blowout if you ignore the problem and continue to drive on the compromised tire.

What happens when you hit a pothole at high speed?

The faster you hit the pothole, the less time your wheel will have to drop into the hole. The slower you hit a pothole, the further your wheel will sink into the hole before hitting the other side. That said, hitting a pothole at excessive speeds an be dangerous if it causes you to lose control of the vehicle.

Can potholes damage engine?

In the worst-case scenario, hitting a pothole can result in a tire blowout or bent wheel. But even in non-catastrophic impacts add up over time and have a negative impact on your vehicle: Wheel misalignment (causing premature tire wear) Wear/damage to shocks and struts and cv axles.

What do potholes do to your car? We asked a mechanic

How do you know if your suspension is damaged?

If you've had your vehicle lowered, then it's natural for the frame to appear sunken. If you haven't, or if you notice your vehicle leaning to one tire when it's parked, you've probably broken a suspension spring or springs. Clunking sounds also indicate you have something broken underneath the vehicle's body.

Can a pothole damage a car frame?

Uneven roads and potholes can wreak havoc on your vehicle's tires, suspension, and frame.

Why does my car shake after I hit a pothole?

If your steering wheel is shaking after hitting a pothole you've thrown off your wheel balance or that a rim or tire has physical damage. Out of balanced wheels cause premature wear to the tire along with a reduction in gas mileage and handling quality.

What happens if rim is bent?

How Serious is a Bent Rim? Even a minor bend in your rim can spell serious trouble for your vehicle when left unrepaired. The change in road vibrations and driving patterns can cause issues with your vehicle's axles, damage your healthy tires, disrupt your driveshaft, and so much more.

How does suspension get damaged?

What Causes Suspension Damage? Wear and tear is the leading cause of suspension damage. Over time, parts of your suspension system get weak and rusted, thereby affecting their functions. Also, sudden hit or shock from a pothole or any other road obstacles can damage the suspension system.

Can a pothole break an axle?

If your car shocks are becoming worn, hitting any bump or pothole in the road could cause damage to your car axles. Because the axle is constantly rotating and flexing to accommodate different road conditions, it can wear out and fail, resulting in a broken axle.

What sound does a bent rim make?

Common symptoms of a bent rim include: Vibration in the steering wheel at moderate & high speeds. A thumping sound that gets faster when you accelerate. Poor handling.

Can a slightly bent rim be fixed?

When rims are slightly bent, they can almost certainly be repaired. However, more extensive damage is a different situation. When your rims are severely bent out of shape, they are probably beyond repair. In this case, rim replacement may be your only option.

Can I replace just one rim?

You should be able to replace the one rim on its own, however depending on the wear of the tyres on the same "axle" i.e. the one opposite it, you should maybe consider replacing both tyres to maintain even grip characteristics.

Can a pothole throw off alignment?

Driving over potholes can alter the vehicle's steering and suspension geometries or damage critical components which can reduce vehicle safety or generate extra running costs. By ensuring wheels are correctly aligned, drivers can minimise the effects of any pothole damage and ensure they remain as safe as possible.

When I hit a bump my front end wobbles?

If you feel a slow shake, it's likely that your wheel was bent to the point it can't drive straight. If you feel a fast, vibrating shimmy, hitting the bump may have knocked your vehicle's weight off, and now a tire is out of balance. Either way, now your vehicle's parts are out of sync.

Why does my car move side to side when I hit a bump?

Since your vehicle moves all over the road after a bump, this indicates that your tires are indeed not staying firmly planted and are bouncing uncontrollably. This continual bouncing of the suspension will prematurely wear out other front-end components and cause the tires to wear unevenly.

What is considered minor frame damage?

Minor damage may refer to any injury to the car body that does not directly affect the vehicle's main structural support. This could include things such as dents in the outer panels or scratches in the car's paint.

What is considered frame damage?

The term “Frame Damage” is used whenever the integrity of your frame has been compromised by either an accident or 3rd party alteration. When there is frame damage reported, this means there may be damage to parts of the vehicle that provide structural support.

Can you bend a frame by hitting a pothole?

Believe it or not, hitting a pothole hard enough can also cause body or frame damage. We have seen tweaked or scraped frames resulting from hitting a pothole before.

What does a broken suspension sound like?

There are four sounds in particular that you should look out for: creaking, grunting, rattling, and knocking. See your auto collision center if you hear any of these noises, and keep reading for more on the four sounds of suspension problems.

How do I know if I need to replace my suspension?

What does a bent axle sound like?

A Loud Clanking, Clunking, or Clicking

If there is an unusual loud clanking or clunking as you put your vehicle into gear, or if a vehicle seems to struggle to get power as it starts to move, there may be axle-joint damage.