RX8 vs. pothole
10-31-2006, 10:45 AM
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RX8 vs. pothole
I was in the DC area this weekend and was not so pleasantly reminded of how bad city roads can be. With my RB susp. parts and 40 series sidewalls, I fell victim to a not so obvious, but wonderfully large pothole while going ~50mph.
My question is how easliy can the suspension parts be damaged by potholes, etc.? And, what's the best way to inspect for damage?
My rim is not visably bent, but I think I notice a little more roughness to the ride. While I didn't get a good luck at the size or depth of this pothole, it did provide a signicant jolt, more so than most potholes i've managed to hit.
I'm in need of a wheel balance anyway. I think I will do this, inspect the susp., and take it from there. I'm just feeling a little OCD about this as it was rather tramatic and I can't stop kicking myself about it.
My question is how easliy can the suspension parts be damaged by potholes, etc.? And, what's the best way to inspect for damage?
My rim is not visably bent, but I think I notice a little more roughness to the ride. While I didn't get a good luck at the size or depth of this pothole, it did provide a signicant jolt, more so than most potholes i've managed to hit.
I'm in need of a wheel balance anyway. I think I will do this, inspect the susp., and take it from there. I'm just feeling a little OCD about this as it was rather tramatic and I can't stop kicking myself about it.
10-31-2006, 11:06 AM
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Most likely it would be tire, rim, balance and/or alignment that would be messed up.
Some of the roads here in California are awful. This state ranks about at the bottom for quality of roads.
Some of the roads here in California are awful. This state ranks about at the bottom for quality of roads.
10-31-2006, 11:24 AM
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Originally Posted by CarAndDriver
Most likely it would be tire, rim, balance and/or alignment that would be messed up.
Some of the roads here in California are awful. This state ranks about at the bottom for quality of roads.
Some of the roads here in California are awful. This state ranks about at the bottom for quality of roads.
10-31-2006, 11:28 AM
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Originally Posted by captain mercury
wow really? ive never had any real pothole problems.
You may live in an area where the communities spend more money on road quality. The OC tends to be fairly well off particularly the southern end.
10-31-2006, 11:35 AM
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[QUOTE=CarAndDriver]Most likely it would be tire, rim, balance and/or alignment that would be messed up.
So, unless my struts are spewing fluid, or endlinks are cracked in half, I should worry too much?
I guess I will have all 4 wheels/tires balanced first. If I still notice anything I'll have allignment checked? Do you think this is a good course of action?
So, unless my struts are spewing fluid, or endlinks are cracked in half, I should worry too much?
I guess I will have all 4 wheels/tires balanced first. If I still notice anything I'll have allignment checked? Do you think this is a good course of action?
10-31-2006, 11:41 AM
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Originally Posted by CarAndDriver
I was reading an article in the paper or online where a study did road quality in the US and California ranked at the bottom.
You may live in an area where the communities spend more money on road quality. The OC tends to be fairly well off particularly the southern end.
You may live in an area where the communities spend more money on road quality. The OC tends to be fairly well off particularly the southern end.
Anyway, no need to hijack the thread.
10-31-2006, 11:43 AM
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Originally Posted by ZoomZoomH
maybe you shouldn't have been driving 50mph on CITY roads
The speed limit was like 40mph. I was probably going a little fast, but there was hardly any traffic. In retrospect, I guess I would have gone more like 45mph, and just watched the road more closely. For every 50 potholes I dodged, I hit just one and it was a doozie. F**kin A.
Has anyone damaged their 8's suspension via pothole?
Last edited by Rhythmic; 10-31-2006 at 11:46 AM.
10-31-2006, 12:25 PM
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yea eastcoast roads are all chewed up after winter and they take years before fixing it...i live in NJ and last yr on one last rainy night i cracked two of my stock rims when i ran over HUGEEEE potholes on I-80. i went back couple of days later to see how big the pothole was and they had already fixed it xP
10-31-2006, 04:11 PM
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Here is another thought:
Has anyone noticed increase wear to suspension parts on one side due to a pothole incident? It could very well be in my head, but I think the right-front corner that hit the pothole could be dampening a little softer? Instant wear to strut/spring??
Ok, I'm felling really OCD about this
Has anyone noticed increase wear to suspension parts on one side due to a pothole incident? It could very well be in my head, but I think the right-front corner that hit the pothole could be dampening a little softer? Instant wear to strut/spring??
Ok, I'm felling really OCD about this
11-01-2006, 02:44 PM
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It sounds like my experience could have been much worse. I got tires balanced and the car feels smoother now.
From reading other posts I'm assuming that if the wheel and/or tire was not damaged, and my allignment is ok, then the rest of the car should be fine too. I just don't want to loose any of my pinpoint steering and ride comfort, oh and did I mention I'm OCD about my car?
From reading other posts I'm assuming that if the wheel and/or tire was not damaged, and my allignment is ok, then the rest of the car should be fine too. I just don't want to loose any of my pinpoint steering and ride comfort, oh and did I mention I'm OCD about my car?
11-02-2006, 11:34 AM
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Any of you that bent or broke a rim have alignment or other suspension issues? It seems like it would take quite an impact to damage the rim.