Hitting a curb can do some nasty damage to your tires, let alone other vehicle components including the suspension. Even striking one at turtle-like speed can wreck your day!
Hitting a curb hard enough can shift your axle and wheel shaft into the transmission. Even a slight jolt to the case can do harm. If you run over a curb and scrape the bottom of your car, it can even disconnect linkages and cables from the transmission case housing itself.
How fast do you have to hit a curb to cause damage?
Hitting a curb at speeds of just 5–10 mph is enough to cause significant damage. Even if the impact feels insignificant, you should still pull over to assess the damage. Check the tire, especially the sidewall, for damage.
Check tires/wheel for any obvious damage. Look for cuts, scrapes, or chips out of the wheel or tire.
Check under the car for any obvious/visible damage. If you see parts hanging low it could indicate damage to tie rods or control arms.
Check for steering problems.
Is it OK if I hit the curb? – Related Questions
What does hitting a curb feel like?
You may notice a lot of bouncing, especially on rough terrain and speed bumps due to a damaged suspension. A curb may damage the control arms of your suspension, making it difficult to control your car over bumps. You may also have difficulty steering if the spindle or steering knuckle of your suspension is damaged.
How do you drive over a curb?
Why is my car shaking after I hit a curb?
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.
Does hitting a curb always cause damage?
If you hit the curb while driving parallel to it, then the likelihood is that the damage has been done to the tire sidewall. This is the worst outcome as damage to the tire sidewall cannot be repaired. If you see any cuts or punctures in the sidewall of the tire, it is likely that the tire will need to be replaced.
What are the symptoms of your car being out of alignment?
Uneven or rapid tire wear.
Steering wheel being crooked when you are driving straight.
Noisy Steering.
Pulling to the right or left.
Squealing tires.
What throws a car out of alignment?
Things like hitting potholes, bumping curbs, or even minor accidents are all common causes of one or more of your wheels coming out of alignment. Second, normal wear and tear can all eventually cause your car to come out of alignment.
Can you check your alignment yourself?
Most people think that wheel alignment is best left to the professionals. This is true in many respects, but some alignment specs are easy to check yourself, and toe is one aspect of alignment that can be checked at home.
How often should you get an alignment?
For virtually all vehicles, it’s necessary to get your wheels aligned periodically. Most car experts recommend scheduling an alignment every other oil change, or approximately every 6,000 miles.
What happens if you never get an alignment?
Without a wheel alignment, your tyres will develop uneven tyre wear, your suspension quality will diminish and you’ll likely experience steering problems. All of these dangers add more risk to you and those around you on the roads.
Can an alignment be done in 20 minutes?
A better way to tell if you’re getting quality service: proper alignments take about 60-90 minutes to complete, so if your car comes off the rack after 20 minutes, chances are it wasn’t done properly.
What happens when you go too long without an alignment?
Driving a vehicle with improper wheel alignment can cause uneven wear on the tires. If the problem is not corrected soon enough, a vehicle’s tires could suffer premature wear and tear, making them unsafe. Correct alignment problems immediately to avoid unnecessary tire damage.
Should I get new tires or an alignment first?
For the most part, doesn’t matter whether you get your alignment before or after having your new tires put on. Most experts agree that the only effect worn tires have on your alignment is a change to the vehicle’s ride height which, given today’s steering and suspension design, should be negligible.
How long can you drive out of alignment?
The interval for wheel alignment can vary significantly depending on the type of vehicle you own, your driving habits, and other factors. Most mechanics recommend that you get a wheel alignment once every two or three years.