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Pothole Damage & Your Vehicle

Watch out – danger lurking!

They seem to come out of nowhere… waiting for you to drive over them. Then they rise up and swallow your vehicle. While this sounds like a plot to a scary movie, this is what it can feel like when you hit a pothole. With over 2.5 million miles of paved roads across our country, this scene is played out countless times each day.

You can feel helpless when you hit a pothole. You try to avoid them at all costs, but sometimes you just have to brace yourself and take on the pothole. To learn more about how potholes form and how you can avoid them, check out this article.

Cars vs potholes

In the battle between cars and potholes, unfortunately the pothole usually wins. From damaged tires to alignment issues, these roadway nuisances can do a number on your vehicle and your pocketbook. Let’s take a closer look at the areas of your car commonly damaged by potholes.

Car-Undercarriage-Diagram

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Suspension system – Damaged/bent or broken suspension components, premature wear of shocks and struts

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Exhaust system – Noise due to holes

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Wheel rims – Bent rims 

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Tires – Flat tires, uneven tire wear and weakened belts and cords

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Alignment – Pulling to one side

Signs of pothole damage

Your car can give you signs that it has suffered pothole damage. If you have hit a pothole particularly hard, you will want to be on the lookout for these issues:

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Bottoming out, excessive bouncing and loss of control – all indications of steering and suspension issues.

·         Bottoming out, excessive bouncing and loss of control – all indications of steering and suspension issues.

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Crooked steering wheel – indication of bent steering components.

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Pulling to one side and uneven tire wear – signs of alignment problems. 

Tire

Blisters or bulges on tire sidewalls or dents in the wheel rim – symptoms of tire damage. You risk a potentially disastrous tire blowout if don’t have this taken care of.

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Vibration in your steering wheel – a sign of a bent rim.

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Leaking fluids – may signal a hole in a line or hose.

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Noisy exhaust system - can be a result of the undercarriage being scraped by potholes.

If you notice any of these symptoms, don’t hesitate in taking your vehicle to your technician. After a thorough inspection, your technician will have your car back on the road in no time. 

Learn more about quality steering and suspension parts, find your car part, or find a local car repair shop today.

The content contained in this article is for informational purposes only and should not be used in lieu of seeking professional advice from a certified technician or mechanic. We encourage you to consult with a certified technician or mechanic if you have specific questions or concerns relating to any of the topics covered herein. Under no circumstances will we be liable for any loss or damage caused by your reliance on any content.

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