Dad hit kerb at 40mph
Discussion
Dual carriageway, going through a set of green lights at a junction when Dad was slightly towards the left of his lane... There was a small section of raised ground surrounding one of the traffic lights (so there was a thick kerb around it) and Dad managed to clip the left hand side of the kerb at around 40mph.
There is an ugly scuff (albeit reasonably small) on both the front and rear left hand side wheels, but most of the impact seems to have been taken by the tyres. The tyres naturally stick out slightly from the rims themselves (like an integrated rim protector in a way) but the impact must have been enough to temporarily push this physical feature out of the way in order to then come into contact with the edge of the rims themselves. There are no visible bulges on either of the tyres.
There is now a small but definitely noticeable amount of vibration through the car at motorway speeds, which feels like the car is out of balance at the rear. The car isn't pulling left or right, and doesn't pull left or right when braking or accelerating.
Is it likely that the tyre has taken internal damage (become "out of shape")? Or is it likely to be the wheels have come out of alignment somehow?
(They're runflat tyres if this makes a difference.)
There is an ugly scuff (albeit reasonably small) on both the front and rear left hand side wheels, but most of the impact seems to have been taken by the tyres. The tyres naturally stick out slightly from the rims themselves (like an integrated rim protector in a way) but the impact must have been enough to temporarily push this physical feature out of the way in order to then come into contact with the edge of the rims themselves. There are no visible bulges on either of the tyres.
There is now a small but definitely noticeable amount of vibration through the car at motorway speeds, which feels like the car is out of balance at the rear. The car isn't pulling left or right, and doesn't pull left or right when braking or accelerating.
Is it likely that the tyre has taken internal damage (become "out of shape")? Or is it likely to be the wheels have come out of alignment somehow?
(They're runflat tyres if this makes a difference.)
Does the car have Tyre Pressure Monitoring System fitted (a full system with actual pressure monitors). Are they reading correctly? They could be dislodged. First a complete and thorough visual inspection is needed, comparing to the undamaged side if relevant. A nick off of the rim-protector on the tyre will not usually be an issue. Look for signs that a (stuck on) wheel weight is now missing.
Take wheels to tyre shop - ask them to balance them (should be 20-40 quid or something).
If they balance them, hope car is OK and damage not to rest of suspension and problem fixed.
If they can't balance them, it'll need new wheels or tyres.
I think you're best bet is to hope a wheel is damaged, easier to repair/fix than "other" stuff!
Good luck
If they balance them, hope car is OK and damage not to rest of suspension and problem fixed.
If they can't balance them, it'll need new wheels or tyres.
I think you're best bet is to hope a wheel is damaged, easier to repair/fix than "other" stuff!
Good luck
said:Get it checked over on a ramp.
Most cars have weak points built into control arms so they will bend under impact as to save the rest of the suspension / strut towers. Its probably fine if its not pulling or tracking strange though.
Vibration is probably missing wheel weight or bent rim as already mentioned.
Most cars have weak points built into control arms so they will bend under impact as to save the rest of the suspension / strut towers. Its probably fine if its not pulling or tracking strange though.
Vibration is probably missing wheel weight or bent rim as already mentioned.
Jasandjules said:
Most likely just a missing weight BUT could be a buckled wheel or worse a suspension strut broken. Get it checked out on a ramp.
As said, check wheel weights first, then maybe a visit to local 4 wheel alignment centre might be needed? Is steering still true? (No left/right hand down slightly to steer straight?)sonnenschein3000 said:
Thanks for the replies guys!
I will definitely check if the balancing masses are still on the wheel. I will report back tomorrow after I've seen it
My wife hit a kerb at similar speed and although the car appeared perfectly drivable - and did drive fine there was the following damage :-I will definitely check if the balancing masses are still on the wheel. I will report back tomorrow after I've seen it
Cracked rim
Damaged tyre
Bent strut
Bent lower chassis arm
Slight twist in shell - i think it needed put on a jig.
Have a look at where the top mounts come in to the engine bay. If that one is out of line / not centred it could give you an indication of further damage.
Get it professionally checked out either way.
Easily done when focussing on things like lights and "busy" areas ahead.
It's likely just a bit of a bend on the rim and repairable, but get it checked, as a latteral load like that can sometimes tweak the wheel at the hub face, much more difficult to fix and may be cheeaper to get a new or 2nd hand wheel.
Stick it on a wheel balancer and they should be able to see / tell you where it is bent.
It's likely just a bit of a bend on the rim and repairable, but get it checked, as a latteral load like that can sometimes tweak the wheel at the hub face, much more difficult to fix and may be cheeaper to get a new or 2nd hand wheel.
Stick it on a wheel balancer and they should be able to see / tell you where it is bent.
Tyre is probably out of balance now impact can cause this not just losing a balance weight
If the wheel is damaged it can be fixed
Other possibilities but less likely
Ball joint could be damaged
Wheel bearing could be damaged from the impact
Chassis twisted highly unlikely I would rule it out unless it was a flimsy Caterham
If the wheel is damaged it can be fixed
Other possibilities but less likely
Ball joint could be damaged
Wheel bearing could be damaged from the impact
Chassis twisted highly unlikely I would rule it out unless it was a flimsy Caterham
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff