Wheel Bent Inwards After Hitting Curb

Accidents occur ranging from minor incidents to more severe ones. Even seemingly minor mishaps, like hitting a curb, can result in some level of damage to your vehicle.

On occasion, after such an incident, you may observe that your wheel is bent inward. This issue is significant and can impede your ability to drive your car normally.

So, what precisely is the problem when your wheel bends inward after a curb collision? In this article, we will delve into the issue with your wheel, the resulting damage, and explore potential solutions to get you back on the road safely.

How to know if hitting a curb damaged your car: Check for alignment damage

A significant consequence of colliding with a curb is the potential disruption of your car's suspension alignment. It is crucial to inspect the alignment after such an incident. Do you notice your car veering or pulling either to the right or left?

This can serve as an indicator that the alignment has been affected. Such misalignment can lead to uneven tire wear, which can become apparent in as little as 200 miles.

Additionally, tire damage might have occurred due to the curb impact, potentially affecting the sidewall and posing a risk of a dangerous blowout. If the collision bent the rim, you might experience a noticeable wobbling of the steering wheel.

A reliable method to check your car's alignment is to find an empty parking lot and drive the vehicle slowly in a straight line.

Observe the steering wheel and check if it points straight ahead. If the wheel is visibly off-center, it is a clear indication that, at the very least, your car requires realignment.

Inspect the suspension components

Hitting a curb can also lead to severe car damage, particularly involving the suspension. The front suspension system comprises several critical components, including control arms responsible for facilitating the up and down movement of the suspension while holding other parts in place, and a spindle or steering knuckle housing the wheel hub.

Damage to any of these elements can result in challenges controlling and operating your vehicle effectively. One prevalent symptom of a compromised suspension stemming from curb impact is excessive bouncing.

Your car's suspension should ideally provide stability and prevent you from experiencing significant jolts when traversing speed bumps or potholes. For instance, a fractured suspension arm might cause your vehicle to forcefully slam down each time it encounters a bump.

If you feel as though you are on a roller coaster when driving over uneven roads, it is imperative to seek a suspension inspection promptly. Issues with a deteriorating suspension tend to worsen over time.

Look for changes in steering

Hitting curbs can even inflict damage on your car's tie rods, which serve as vital connections between the steering column, driveshaft, and wheels.

When tie rods break, it significantly impairs your ability to control the car, especially when San Antonio roads become more slippery during the winter season.

The only viable solution in such cases is to completely replace the tie rods, a task that demands the expertise of a skilled mechanic. In addition to tie rods, a curb collision may also result in damaged sway bars, also known as anti-roll bars.

These sway bars play a crucial role in the suspension system by preventing your car from swaying or rolling excessively during turns. If you notice your steering wheel is misaligned after colliding with a curb, a disconnected or faulty sway bar may be the culprit.

Common signs of sway bar issues include rattling noises, compromised handling, a loose steering wheel, or even a complete loss of control while turning. While it is technically possible to drive with a broken anti-roll or stabilizer bar, it is strongly advisable not to do so.

Check your transmission

It may seem unlikely, but that curb you collided with last week could potentially have inflicted damage to your transmission case, leading to noticeable shifting problems.

Particularly in the case of front-wheel-drive (FWD) vehicles, a substantial impact against a curb has the potential to reposition your axle and wheel shaft within the transmission.

Even a minor jolt to the case can result in damage. Furthermore, if you run over a curb and scrape the underside of your car, it can disengage linkages and cables from the transmission case housing itself.

In more severe scenarios, curbs can also harm your transmission fluid and cooling lines, puncture your oil pan, or fracture the valve entirely.

If you detect any shifting difficulties after a curb collision, it is advisable to have your vehicle inspected at a service center. Professional mechanics are typically well-trained to promptly identify these issues.

How to fix the problem

If your wheel exhibits an inward bend following a curb collision, addressing the issue is paramount before you can confidently trust your car on the road again.

Damage to the suspension and steering systems can be quite severe and often challenging to diagnose and repair. If you lack the necessary knowledge or experience to tackle such problems, it is imperative to have a professional mechanic inspect your vehicle to pinpoint the root cause.

Swift resolution is essential as driving with a bent wheel can lead to further harm to your car and pose safety risks, potentially resulting in a loss of vehicle control.

Timely repairs can ultimately save you money in the long run by preventing additional damage. The course of action for resolving the issue depends on its origin.

If the wheel barrel is bent, it may require replacement or repair contingent on the extent of the damage. If misalignment is the problem, a realignment is necessary.

A mechanic's evaluation is essential when it comes to a broken steering system, and the repairs required will differ depending on which system components have been affected.

Whatever the reason, your technician will advise the best course of action for repair based on the extent of the damage. Even if no visible damage is evident from the curb collision, it is wise to have a mechanic inspect your car.

There might be concealed damage to the frame or suspension that is not immediately apparent but could worsen over time if left unattended.

Can I still drive my car if the wheel is bent?

Operating your vehicle with a bent wheel is strongly discouraged, even for a brief distance. When the wheel's alignment is compromised, driving becomes hazardous due to the vehicle's unpredictable movements and handling.

Additionally, damage to the steering column can result in reduced responsiveness of the steering system. Continuing to drive in this condition also significantly increases the risk of causing additional damage to your car.