3 Signs Of Severe Damage After Hitting A Pothole
Potholes are ubiquitous, but they're more than just a threat to your vehicle's tires. Hitting a severe pothole can lead to many problems, some of which might be hard to notice (at first). Since these issues often affect your car's steering and suspension, leaving them unaddressed can create dangerous driving conditions and long-term damage.
As a result, it's critical to repair damage after a hard pothole strike. Of course, this can be challenging if you don't know the signs of trouble. It's an excellent habit to inspect your tires and wheels any time you hit a pothole. Likewise, pay close attention to these three signs of more severe trouble.
1. Significant Vibrations
Under normal circumstances, vibrations you can feel in your steering wheel or your car's chassis can indicate a balance problem with one or more of your wheels. However, these vibrations can be more troubling if you feel them shortly after hitting a pothole. Any change in your car's stability or road handling is usually a strong indicator that the pothole caused some damage.
When it comes to pothole damage, there are a few common reasons for vibrations. One relatively low-cost possibility is that the impact knocked a balancing weight from one of your wheels. In these cases, you'll need a wheel balancing to repair the damage. The pothole may have also dented your wheel's rim, in which case you'll usually need a new one.
2. Wandering Steering
Another issue that's less concerning under different circumstances is "wandering" steering. This symptom is easy to spot: just wait to see if your car seems to drift left or ride without any input from you. Wheel geometry tends to fall out of spec over time, so this problem is usually a good indication that it's time to bring your car in for an alignment.
Unfortunately, it can also be a sign that the pothole damaged or loosened a component in your steering or suspension system. Rubber parts such as control arm bushings can tear or fail with sudden impacts, especially if they were already old and worn. The pothole may have also knocked components out of alignment. In either case, you'll need a professional shop to perform an inspection and repair as needed.
3. Clunking or Squeaking
New noises from your wheels are a sure sign of significant damage. Before panicking, check to make sure that there isn't debris caught near your wheels or brakes. If you can't spot anything, then it's time to have your vehicle inspected. These sounds are usually a good indication of a blown-out suspension component, such as a failed strut or even a cracked spring.
Never treat a pothole impact as a trivial event. These road hazards have the potential to cause significant damage, so it's essential to have a skilled auto repair shop investigate any problems you may be experiencing after hitting one. Contact an auto repair service for more information.