Front Wheel Side Impact!

[seatkid]

Lost it at slow speed (maybe about 5 mph) turning 90 deg left on fresh snow on an access road and the car broke away half into the turn and slid and bounced (drivers front wheel) into a 3 or 4 inch kerb with car approx 30 deg to kerb. (Tyre was parallel to the kerb I reckon). Bounced off and slid back, the snow was like ice.

 

The tyre wall absorbed the bump mostly, but gouged a 3 inch long scrape on the alloy rim edge (next to tyre wall) - its not visible looking at the wheel and probably 1mm in depth - but its1st damage ever to wheels! :o

 

Car still drives OK :P , no obvious steering change (angle etc) or tyre wobble etc.

 

I will check it out fully when the weather permits but do you think its possible I might have bent anything (e.g. a

control arm) or knacked a bush?

 

I certainly hope not - just feeling v pissed off because I was in a mood and rushing more than usual.

 

So....My fault - although I'm tempted to blame someone else.....deep depression. :)

 

Cheer me up folks and tell me it'll be OK!

Edited December 21, 2009 by seatkid

[Saif Rehman]

From you description, i would say that probably no damage has been done (apart from the wheel). I have had quite a few of these type of mishaps especially the time when i used to be a Paramedic way back in the 90's and used drive around like a nutter. :)

 

As long as the steering feels normal and no strange knocking noise then it should be okay.

Edited December 21, 2009 by Saif Rehman

[dunkirk]

Sounds ok to me but I would change the front wheel for one of the rears.

[seatkid]

Thanks, Saif and dunkirk, for the comments, much appreciated.

[chromedome]

I would certainly get the tracking checked as it's easy to knock the alignment out. Cheaper than new tyres.

[Scorpiorefugee]

I did the same a few years ago in a Talbot Horizon. Wrecked the steel rim and the tyre but I never had any other problems. As far as the tracking is concerned, if it has caused a tracking problem then realignment is only a fix 'cos somthing else is bent, but then you know that. This is usually the time that most people sell it on and let someone else spend loads of moola chasing a mysterious tyre wear problem.

 

Seriously, I can't see that you've got owt to worry about. Lets hope not.

 

Have you got a cat to kick? :)

[chromedome]

I don't know why I offer my opinion.

 

This is not the first time I've got shot down.

[sepulchrave]

I don't know why I offer my opinion.

 

This is not the first time I've got shot down.

 

Diddums, Happy Christmas. :)

 

Bad luck SK, console yourself with the knowledge that if the wife had done the dirty deed it would still be your fault!

 

Oh, and I agree with Chromedome, a tracking check is free and so what if something is slightly bent, who cares if you can longer roll your track rod along a sheet of glass, it doesn't matter. :P

 

Scorpio the doom-monger! :o

[gregers]

seat kid can you not use it as the spare?? Edited December 21, 2009 by gregers

[seatkid]

Thanks for all your comments - further inspection and driving seems to confirm no significant damage. The wheel damage is minimal and you wouldnt notice it unless I pointed it out to you. The rim must have briefly come down on the top of the kerb as the tyre wall was bumped.

 

**This is an advantage of NOT having oversize super low profile tyres.** No tyre damage visible either.

 

I will consider having it tracked if the tyres start showing any sign of misalignment.

Edited December 22, 2009 by seatkid

[Belldarr]

Hi - I done the exact same thing in February when we had the last load of snow - a very hard impact with the front wheel into a kerb- so hard that it stopped the front of the car and spun the rear round - all suspension and steering has been fine but the front wheel bearing seemed to be getting noisier so I had it changed as a precaution - you should keep an eye on yours.

 

Darren