Even if you react in time to partially avoid them, those deep dents on the roads, known as “potholes,” end up causing damage to your car one way or another. Being a common road hazard, pothole damage is difficult to avoid. Primarily because most potholes are not always visible. That is, until the damage is done!
In case your vehicle strikes a deep, dreaded divot in the road, anything from a full-on tire rupture, a misaligned steering system, to bent rims can follow. In all cases, whether the harm is evident or not, the damage must be fixed sooner rather than later. This means that whenever your car receives a sudden jolt from hitting a pothole, it must be inspected as soon as possible. Otherwise, you might risk causing more costly damage and stress to other, more expensive vehicle components. During a full vehicle check, the trained auto care professionals will conduct a complete inspection and fix your ride right. Keep on reading to learn more about the vehicle pothole damage solutions.
1. Wheels
Crashing into a pothole can directly damage the aluminium alloy wheel rims resulting in bending, cracking, or chipping. A pothole basically creates a huge amount of force that hits the core of your wheel and causes the wheel to lose its balance or vibrate. The bearing within the wheel is small steel balls within the wheels that contain a metal ring called a race. They play a significant role in turning the wheel side by side while making sure that the wheels rotate efficiently and reducing friction.
So, suppose the pothole damage has caused your vehicle to lose its balance. In that case, we recommend taking it to an auto care professional so that they can repair the wheel or replace it before it compromises the safety of you and your passengers.
2. Suspension and Steering
Pothole damage isn’t only limited to the car’s wheels or tires but can harm the suspension and steering system significantly. This can damage the ball joints, struts, shocks, and alignment of your vehicle. The suspension works as a connector between the tires and the body of your car. Therefore, if you have recently noticed that your vehicle pulls to one side of the road or the steering vibrates, there is a probable chance that the suspension system is impaired. Because your car’s steering and suspension system comprises a complex mechanism, we recommend taking it to an auto care professional rather than trying to fix it on your own. The professionals will inspect the damage and either realign the system entirely or replace the defective components with new ones, whatever the vehicle pothole damage solution requires.
3. Body
Though it’s rare that a pothole can damage your vehicle’s body, but it is not impossible. When your vehicle hits a deep pothole, there is a chance that the sides or bumpers of your car could get chipped or scratched. Even though the damage is mostly cosmetic, the repair could end up burning a hole in your pocket if neglected.
Therefore, when your car hits a pothole, pull it to the side and check for signs of damage. An auto care professional can evaluate the damage and replace the parking sensors or fog lights if needed. They will also fix the dent and apply a coat of paint over the damaged area of the car.
4. Exhaust
Attached to the underside of your vehicle, the muffler, catalytic converter, and exhaust pipes can be threatened by potholes. Some obvious signs of pothole damage to the exhaust include loud dragging or knocking noises from the exhaust pipe.
In such cases, contact an auto care professional instantly and schedule a pothole repair. Note that any damage to your vehicle’s exhaust system can lead to the emission of poisonous gases inside your car. The auto care professional will analyze the damage and replace or repair the exhaust system accordingly.
5. Tires
Acting as the first line of defense, the tires are the place where your car meets the surface of the road. The pothole’s harsh and uneven edges push the tire against the wheel, causing the tires to slice through or even blow out. Thereby, check the tires for obvious signs of damage, such as sidewall bulges, flat tires, and tread separation, as soon as you can after hitting a pothole. An auto care professional will check the tires for pothole damage and provide immediate attention.
Contact Us to Schedule an Inspection Today
Has your car hit a pothole recently? If yes, that is bad news as you might need to spend some time at an automotive shop. Irrespecive of the type of damage, an immediate remedy is vital to minimize the chances of minor damage turning into a major issue. Note that if not dealt with in time, pothole damage can be costly in terms of your pocket and your life.
However, the ultimate vehicle pothole damage solution here is that if you cannot avoid the pothole, step on the brakes and slow down as much as possible just before falling into it. This will prevent damage to your vehicle while keeping its components in excellent condition.
