There are four main areas of the car that are most likely to be damaged: the suspension, steering, wheels, and tyres.
Potholes are formed by three elements: surface cracks, water and traffic. Small surface cracks form and expand over time with the action of traffic. Water then seeps through the surface of the cracked pavement, causing further deterioration – in cold climates, this can be exacerbated by freeze-thaw action.
Signs of pothole damage
Bottoming out, excessive bouncing and loss of control – all indications of steering and suspension issues. Crooked steering wheel – indication of bent steering components. Pulling to one side and uneven tire wear – signs of alignment problems.
Believe it or not, hitting a pothole hard enough can also cause body or frame damage. We have seen tweaked or scraped frames resulting from hitting a pothole before.
When you hit a pothole, the steering knuckle can bend and cause problems with the wheel alignment, and the ball joint can break or rupture.
Hitting a pothole can cause bent wheel rims, internal tire damage, alignment problems, and shock and strut issues depending on the severity of the impact. This doesn't necessarily mean you'll puncture your tires or damage your vehicle, but if you have any concerns, get it inspected.
If your steering wheel is shaking after hitting a pothole you've thrown off your wheel balance or that a rim or tire has physical damage. Out of balanced wheels cause premature wear to the tire along with a reduction in gas mileage and handling quality.
The noise over bumps is most likely suspension related. knocking sounds can be cause by worn ball joints or tire rods. Also, worn struts or strut mounts can cause a banging or knocking sound as can a broken coil spring.
This can cause rattling or clunking noises. Shocks and struts: If you hit a pothole hard enough, it can do serious damage to the shock absorbers, springs, and strut assemblies. When your car hits a pothole at higher speeds, it may bend or “blow out” your shocks or struts.
Damage to Shocks and Struts
In addition to obvious tire damage like a blowout, repeatedly running over potholes can cause damage to many other parts of your vehicle as well, including suspension system components like shocks and struts.
Suspension System
If you notice pulling to the right or left, your car moving up and down after a bump in the road, or shaking at high speeds, then your suspension and alignment may need to be looked at. Take your car into your local mechanic to have your suspension and alignment checked on.
Low severity potholes are less than one inch deep, moderate severity are one to two inches deep, and high severity potholes are more than two inches deep (Johnson and Snopl 2000). Potholes are commonly caused from water seeping into cracks in the roadway during wet and freezing conditions.
While potholes may seem minor, hitting one can cause severe damage to your car and put you at risk of an accident. By avoiding potholes on the road, you can keep yourself and your vehicle safe and avoid costly repairs down the road. Remember to stay alert and take precautions to avoid potholes whenever possible.
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.
Because many run-ins with potholes occur on the sidewall or face of your tire, which can't be repaired, a bad pothole hit can mean the end of your tire's life. A significant enough blow can bend a rim. This can result in a poor seal between the rim and the tire, which can cause air leaks and flat tires.
You can drive a vehicle with a bent frame if the vehicle is still aligned well and it will drive in a straight line, but at your own risk. If you're in another collision with a bent frame much of the vehicle's strength could be compromised.
1. Visible Damage. After a collision, check the underside of your car for cracks, excessive rust, or creases along the frame. Bending may be more difficult to detect but if you notice that the frame on one side of your vehicle is not symmetrical with what you see on the other side, you likely have an issue.
Depending on the original extent of damage to your vehicle, your mechanic should be able to straighten your damaged car frame. The use of ultrasound equipment makes diagnosing the extent of damage much easier than before.
You may notice your car pulling to the side over time, uneven tire wear, sidewall damage, and bent rims when you hit the curb—all signs that something is wrong with your car alignment. While the curb may only alter the alignment slightly, this can result in crooked pulling in the steering wheel over time.
If your car shocks or struts are becoming worn, hitting a bump or pothole in the road could cause damage to the car axles. It could even cause them to break. Because axles are constantly rotating and flexing to accommodate different road conditions, they can wear out and fail.
Common Issues
Alignment – If you hit a significant pothole, or just a collection of potholes over time, your car can get out of alignment. This can cause your car to pull to the left or right, which aside from being dangerous, can lead to further damage if left untreated.