Pothole Damage to Your Suspension: Santa Clara Drivers

Why potholes hurt

The wheel drops, then slams into the edge of the hole. That force goes into the wheel, tire, strut and control arm.

Signs

Vibration at speed, pulling, bulges, dents in rims and clunks. Any of them after a hole means inspection.

Winter and spring

Rain and traffic open potholes, and the problem is most noticeable after wet periods.

Document it

Note the street, cross street and date. Photograph it. Some cities accept damage claims, with strict deadlines.

Repair

Bent parts are replaced and alignment is rechecked. Structure is measured if the hit was severe.

Why potholes hit alignment so hard

A wheel dropping into a hole and striking the far edge sends a spike of force through the tire into the rim, the strut and the control arm. The impact can bend a rim, crack a strut mount, knock a tie rod out of position or separate a tire's internal belts.

Alignment angles shift by small amounts. A fraction of a degree is invisible but enough to wear tires out early.

What to do after a hit

Pull over safely and look at the tire and wheel. If there is a bulge, a bent rim or a hissing leak, do not drive on it. If everything looks fine, watch for steering pull, vibration or a clunk over the next few days.

Take photos of the pothole with a street sign or landmark in the frame. Some cities accept damage claims but have short deadlines. Get an estimate for any repair and keep receipts, including towing and tire replacement.