Does hitting a tire affect the suspension?
2 Answers
Tire impact can affect the suspension. Hitting a curb with a tire can have certain impacts on the tire, wheel rim, suspension, and shock absorbers. Severe impacts can damage the tire, causing sidewall bulges, blowouts, wheel rim deformation, or even suspension damage, leading to body distortion, unusual noises, and damage to the shock absorbers and steering system. More related information is as follows: 1. Suspension System: The suspension system refers to all the force-transmitting connecting devices between the car's frame and the axle or wheels. Its function is to transmit forces and torques between the wheels and the frame, cushion the impact from uneven road surfaces to the frame or body, and dampen the resulting vibrations to ensure smooth driving. If there are issues with the suspension, immediate inspection and repair at a 4S shop are necessary. 2. Note: Frequently and incorrectly mounting curbs can cause significant damage to the car's chassis, suspension, and shock absorbers. If the driver misjudges the height gap between the curb and the chassis, it can lead to the chassis scraping or even damaging critical components like the oil pan. Long-term parking with wheels on curbs can also cause uneven suspension stress, leading to abnormal wear.
Honestly, hitting a tire definitely affects the suspension system—this is something I've learned from years of driving experience. The suspension includes components like control arms, shock absorbers, and springs, which are directly connected to the tires. Once a tire hits a hard object like a curb or rock, the impact force transfers over, potentially causing parts to bend, deform, or even break. I experienced this once—after my tire hit a pothole, the steering wheel was misaligned, and later, a mechanic found that a suspension arm joint had loosened. This isn’t a minor issue; if ignored, the car may wobble or become unstable, especially during turns. For safety, I always take my car to a professional shop to check if the suspension geometry is misaligned after any tire impact. I also avoid rough roads to prevent such problems. After all, suspension repairs can be costly and significantly impact handling and ride comfort.
