What can I do if I hit a curb with my front passenger side? Many drivers shrug off minor incidents, like hitting curbs while parking or driving in tight spaces. But those seemingly minor incidents can wreak havoc on your car.
So, is hitting a curb with your front passenger side a big deal? And more importantly, what should you do after hitting a curb? Even if your car feels alright after the impact, it’s essential to thoroughly check the tires, wheel rims, steering system, and suspension components.
Answer: Damage to Look for After Hitting a Curb
Hitting a curb at low speeds (5 to 10 mph) can cause significant damage to your car. Sometimes, the damage can be worse than when you hit potholes, particularly when driving at highway speeds.
If you hit a curb, stop the car and assess the damage. Ignoring this issue can lead to parts failure, loss of control, and a likelihood of an accident. Be sure to catch any issue resulting from the impact before it worsens.
To ensure a safe driving experience, check for the following issues and address them promptly:
Tire Damage
Your car tires are usually the first victims when you hit curbs. Sometimes, they take most of the damage to protect other parts like brakes and suspensions.
If you hit a curb with the front passenger side, check the tire from this side to assess the damage. The damage intensity will depend on the type of curb, driving speed, and impact angle. Below are the common tire issues you should look for:
Sidewall Damage
Tire’s sidewalls can be the first to contact the curb, especially when driving in tight spaces. The damage might manifest as bulges, scrapes, or cuts.
A bulge on the sidewall may indicate internal damage like separated or broken tire belts. Change the tire if the damage increases the risk of a blowout.
Loss of Tire Pressure
A puncture or cut resulting from hitting a curb can cause air to leak. This damage occurs after hitting a sharp edge of a curb. Consider changing the tire if the puncture has a large diameter.
Uneven Tread Wear
Hitting a curb with the tire on your front passenger side can cause irregular tread wear. This issue usually happens when you repeatedly hit a curb while parking. Uneven tread wear can result in reduced road traction and poor handling. Examine the affected tire and change it if necessary.
Wheel Rim Damage
Can the rim get damaged if I hit a curb with my front passenger side? Yes, besides damaging the tire, your wheel rim can suffer from the impact, especially at higher speeds. Examine your wheel rim and pay attention to the following:
Structural Damage
Check for a bent, cracked, or disfigured wheel rim after hitting a curb. A damaged wheel rim can cause vibrations while driving, uneven tire wear, loss of tire pressure, and reduced handling capabilities. Allow a wheel expert to repair or replace the damaged wheel.
Wheel Balancing and Alignment Issues
Hitting a curb with the tire on your front passenger side can lead to unbalanced or misaligned wheels. When this happens, you’ll notice excessive vibrations, uneven tire wear, worn-out suspension parts, and poor handling. Take your car to your auto mechanic for wheel balancing and alignment.
Braking System Damage
While assessing the wheels, check the braking system for any defects. After hitting a curb with your front passenger side, an impact can damage various braking system parts. This damage might decrease braking efficiency and compromise your safety.
Hitting a curb with the wheel on your front passenger side can cause damage to the brake caliper, rotor, pads, and brake lines. Start by checking for visible damage to these parts. You might notice excessive play on some loose parts. You might also notice other symptoms like:
- Fluid leaks
- Excessive vibrations while braking
- Reduced braking power
Note: A curb impact can damage the anti-lock braking system (ABS) and wiring. You should inspect the ABS sensors on the wheel hub and the wiring. In the case of a damaged ABS, your car’s computer will turn on a warning light on the dash.
Replacing damaged parts in the braking system can help restore braking efficiency. You’ll also need to check and add brake fluid.
Suspension Components Damage
Suspension components in your car ensure proper alignment and handling. You’ll enjoy a safe and smooth driving experience if these parts are in good shape.
So, what happens to my suspension components if I hit a curb with my front passenger side? The impact can cause damage to the control arms, bushings, ball joints, shocks/struts, sway bars, and mounts.
Defects in these components can lead to excessive bouncing, alignment problems, uneven tire wear, and reduced handling.
When inspecting for damage, pay attention to any broken, bent, leaking, or dented components. A professional will help examine these parts and repair or replace them. Remember to get a wheel alignment after fixing your suspension system.
Steering Wheel Issues
Does your car sway or steer oddly after hitting a curb with your front passenger side? If so, the impact might have damaged various components within the steering system. Parts that might suffer from this impact include the tie rods, steering rack, steering knuckles, and sway bars.
If you hit a curb with significant force, the steering pump might get damaged and leak fluid. Moreover, a huge impact can cause damage to the power steering hoses, resulting in fluid leaks. These issues might lead to erratic steering behavior, stiff steering wheel, or complete loss of power steering.
When assessing the steering system, check for other signs like improper steering wheel alignment, steering vibrations, and unusual noises.
Take your car to a professional for a detailed steering system inspection. Your mechanic might repair or replace damaged parts.
Undercarriage Damage
Parts in the undercarriage can suffer from damage after hitting a curb at high speed. The curb might scrape the car’s undercarriage and damage the following:
Transmission System
A huge impact after hitting a curb at a high speed might damage the transmission case. This damage will occur in FWD cars. The impact can also disconnect linkages and cables, leading to transmission failure. You might notice fluid leaks and gear-shifting problems.
Repairing a damaged transmission system requires professional skills and tools. So, hire an expert to do the job.
Exhaust System
Hitting a curb with your front passenger side can damage various parts of the exhaust system. The possible victims include the manifold, muffler, and pipes. Your mechanic will check for cracks, dents, or leaks and fix the damaged parts.
Fuel System
The curb can scrape and damage your vehicle’s fuel lines. You can examine the lines for visible damage and check for fuel leaks. Replacing the damaged fuel lines will restore fuel efficiency and engine power.
Inspecting and addressing all the above issues should help get your vehicle back on the road. However, if your car has performance issues, use an OBD-II scanner to check for recorded fault codes. Determining the cause of poor performance will help you find an effective solution.
If you’re not an auto DIY enthusiast, seek professional help from qualified mechanics. Your mechanic has specialized tools and expertise to diagnose and fix the damage.
Wrapping Up
We’ve answered a common question: what should I do if I hit a curb with my front passenger side? An impact from hitting a curb can damage various parts of your car. The first thing to do after hitting a curb is to pull over at a safe place. Then, examine the tires, wheel rim, braking system, suspension components, and the undercarriage.
Fixing the damage on time can help prevent other issues from cropping up. Lastly, adopt safe driving techniques to avoid hitting curbs, especially when maneuvering in tight spaces or parking.