I recently had the misfortune of hitting a kerb at an angle of about forty-five degrees at 20-25mph.
This caused a minor deformity to the near-side-front wheel trim and may now give the impression that I have got a buckled wheel, which one occasionally sees on other cars but can never see on one?s own!
There may, of course, be other damage which is not obvious to the amateur eye but I can say that there is no wobble on the steering which might suggest that the wheel needs rebalancing.
The vehicle is going in for routine service soon. Ought I to report this incident and have it investigated? What sort of other damage may I have done...the term ?toe-in? rings a bell.
I am very wary, in view of Honda dealer?s £icence to print money, to ask them to do anything other than the essential service. Would a specialist, such as a tyre depot be a better place to seek a remedy at a more affordable cost? Bearing in mind the stories one hears, I don't want to be a victim of paying for unnecessary work.
Your advice and suggestions would be much appreciated.
|
For your own safety the least you aught to do, in my opinion, is to get the tyre which took the impact removed from the rim and the sidewalls, both inside and outside carefully examined for damage. A friend did the same as you and his tyre seriously damaged inside.The outside looked fine. A sudden blowout on a front tyre doesn't make for a peaceful journey.
The tyre fitting depot will also check the tracking etc, but for safety's sake, and piece of mind, I would be tempted to get it checked at the service.
|
|
|
The first thing I would do is jack up the wheel or, failing that, that side of the car, so you can spin the wheel. Then have some sort of block on the ground by the side of the wheel that you can rest a stick or screwdriver (used as a stick) point at the side of the wheel rim so you can see if it is still running true or if it has a wobble.
If is has a wobble I would use it only as the spare. What sort of wobble? 5mm is not looking good for vibration. Try the wheel the other side for a comparison. Ideally only the odd mm or so.
If it does not have wobble, you are probably alright although to be sure you need to have the wheel alignment checked. The downside if you don't is risking some tyre wear. The rim dent also must not risk wheel deflation. A fast fit tyre place would probably look at the dent for you and advise.
|
I honestly don't want to cause any undue concern, but I would get the tyre checked out thoroughly asap.I would be tempted to fit the spare wheel asap, just to be on the safe side until you do. My friend's contact with the kerb was similar to yours and the tyre was damaged inside. The impact had also started the power steering rack leaking.
|
|
|
|
Whoops!!
The possibilities for what might be damaged is quite long.
I once stuffed my rally car into a kerb in a similar fashion to that which you describe (though I was in full oversteer mode at the time). Damage included: bent rack in the steeering rack (good excuse to change to a high ratio rack & pinion in this case), bent tca, bent track rod, distorted chassis member, knackered wheel & tyre. Also a few '00 miles later the wheel bearing gave out (non competitively, luckily). All the damage was quite subtle. the steering had a very slight tight spot about 1/3 towards left full lock - when I removed the rack from the steering gear it had a bend you could barely see, but it was measurable (the rack is essentially a solid steel bar 1/2 to 3/4 inch in diameter!!!).
For your own safety and peace of mind, I would suggest you should have the car carefully checked. However I understand your reticence to ask your dealer to do this. Why not try the AA or RAC inspection services? Or perhaps a well known local independant?
|
My thanks to you all for your sound advice.
I am taking remedial action without delay.
|
|
|
|
