So I park my car in a parking lot that has these stupid concrete thingies at the front of the parking spots, I guess to mark how far you can pull forward into the spot. However, they're pretty useless, most especially because they are always getting moved all over the lot by the snowplows. So anyway... Recently, I had to get my car out after some serious snow. The build-up behind me wasn't too bad, so I just powered my way out. What I didn't know was that, burried in the snow was one of those stupid concrete things that had apparently gotten pushed behind my car by the snowplow. I didn't notice anything until I already had my back wheels over and beyond it, at which point I started hearing unhappy scraping/banging sounds as I tried to move the car. Got out of the car, and there I was, hung up on it.. The barrier was at this point maybe a foot, foot-and-a-half in front of the rear wheels. And by the break in the snow, I could see that I had pushed the barrier backwards a foot or two. The wheels were all still on the ground, but the barrier looked like it was in contact with the underside of the car. Backing out further was out of the question, the best I could do was go forward, back over the barrier. After that, I was able to get the car out sideways (like pulling out of a parallel-parking spot).

Anyway, so far, the car *seems* fine, I can't detect any problems. But I've got this nagging worry about whether I did any damage. Any thoughts?

 

I'd take a good look under the car, though I bet it's mostly cosmetic damage. I don't think the exhaust or any important components hang lower than that. Probably should have an alignment done.

 

Take it to a shop, put it up on a lift and have a look. The only other way you will know if something is damaged is if the component fails unexpectedly, and ya don't want that. My guess would be that nothing under there was severely damaged--maybe dents in the exhaust system or other underbody metal--but you may never know unless you look.

 

i dont have any help to offer, but that sucks.
why doesnt someone say something about how ridiculous it is that these large cement blocks are being pushed around by snowplows? seems like this accident was just waiting to happen to someone...unfortunately you.
seems strange to me

 

yeah put it on a lift, get some of the spray on undercarriage/bedliner stuff and get all the exposed metal before it rusts... might want to check the o2 sensor on the CAT/exhaust too. that's about the only thing that hangs down low.

 

Don't forget to write back, and let us know what you find! good luck!

 

I did a similar thing with my Grand Am a few years back. You should get it up on a lift to check things out, but like what was already posted, it will probably be mostly cosmetic damage.

 

Well, that all sounds like good advice, for which I thank you all. Unfortunately, I have to take the 8 down to Baltimore this weekend, so it will have to wait til next week before I can get it looked at.

 

I got hung up at a construction site. Boy was I pissed. The only damage I found was just a little bit of the undercarriage coating had been scraped away. Just make sure you cover the bare areas (especially considering you live up north).

FS