Hey guys, quick question....how are our cars equipped to handle pot-holes? Cuz I went over one at a slower speed (I think it was somewhere between the 20km/h-40km/h range), and it made a "thud" sound on the left driver side wheel, so I was really concerned. After driving it around some more, I didn't notice any creaks, or sound and the alignment appeared to be straight, so should I be concerned? Have you guys experienced any pot-hole experiences and have any stories to share, and how well are our cars equipped for this situation?

Thanks and God Bless.

Ben.

 

Ya.... don't drive over pot holes. 18" wheels means there isn't as much rubber to cushion the blow as there would be with smaller wheels.

 

Danger Will Robinson!!

As qtwre cites, our relatively large wheels/low profile tires don't allow much room for potholes. I've bent my share of rims here in NE. I actually went up against a city attorney about it one time, but it's pretty much in the act of God realm.

Some years here are worse than others, depending on freeze & thaw cycle rapidity. Milder winters and quicker than prior road crew repairs have helped.

 

Sports cars usually dont mix well with pot holes then again that could be said about any other vehicle....I have seen an SUV damaged due to driving over pot holes mind you it was a really big one. Sports cars will take more damage due to their lower profile...I would still get your car checked as it may still be damaged even though your not hearing anything

 

Okay so I don't notice anything out of the usual. How would I know if the pot-hole has done some damage? The rim looks normal, it drives normal?

 

The RX-8 suspension is actually quite robust, so if you can't see/feel any rim deformation, nor any strut attachment damage, and it drives straight and true (hand lightly on wheel on a known-flat stretch of highway and no pull to one side), then you're probably ok. Next time it's in the shop have them check the alignment just to be sure.

 

You did get the Z71 suspension package option, didn't you?

 

Thanks dude, I'll check the alignment out on the 401. I might have to go in to Mazda to check something soon, I hope they don't charge me to do a quick check to see if everything is ok. I know alignment costs, but I don't plan to be doing alignment until I get my summer tires swapped in April.

 

If you're checking your straight & level 'flight' on an interstate, keep in mind that they're generally crowned for water runoff port & starboard. In other words, test in the middle lane of a three lane highway. This is rough gouge of course, but will give you some insight to any malady.

 

The only way to do a real check is to do an alignment, and they will definitely charge you for that. If you car drive straight on the highway and brake in a straight line, then it is okay. If you did bend a control arm slightly, you will find out eventually because the tire at that corner will have funny wear pattern.

 

I would suggest not worrying about it. Some of the worst-case-paranoia in this thread is enough to make me nervous and I'm not the one who hit the pothole.

It's not a big deal. Your car isn't vibrating or making any weird noises. We've all hit one or two potholes in our day. Just drive on.

 

I think I hit a pothole every day that I drive. I get an alignment about once a year. I think it's only $120 or so. I shudder (and curse loudly) every time I hit one but you (I) just can't avoid them.

 

Thank you for the advice dude, and all you guys as well. I won't worry about it because thanks to God, no weird noises or anything out of the ordinary is happening when I drive. I'll probably do an alignment in April when I swap to the Dunlop summer tires. Just out of curiosity, how much is a control arm with the labour that Mazda would charge? God willing I don't need one.

 

The thud is your front suspension bottoming out against the bump stops. As long as a rim isn't bent, and your alignment is fine don't worry about it.

 

Thanks again for all your help guys. I went to the dealer today and they said everything was fine, except for two things:

1) A very small bubble on my right driver-side tire (which oddly wasn't the tire tat hit the pot-hole).

2) My alignment is off by a hair, the guy apparently said the car is just off but a bit to the steering.

The service manager told me not to worry as it won't harm the car and I when I come in for a service next month, to get an alignment or to wait till April when I switch the summer tires back to do an alignment.

 

um... avoid at all costs

 

Avoid what, sorry?