Will the car get damaged if it goes over a pothole without slowing down and makes a loud bang?
3 Answers
Going over a pothole without slowing down and making a loud bang will not damage the car. Here are the specific details about going over a pothole without slowing down and making a loud bang: 1. Potential harm: You can check whether the suspension is damaged by observing if there is any deviation in steering, unusual noises while driving, or oil leakage from the shock absorbers. If you are still concerned, you can have the car lifted for inspection if conditions permit. 2. Shock absorbers: The suspension system of the car absorbs most of the impact force. Therefore, after going over a pothole, besides checking the tires, the suspension system might also have issues. If the tires and rims show no obvious damage, it indicates that most of the collision energy and impact have been absorbed by the suspension system.
That day my car also encountered this situation, with a loud bang that made my heart skip a beat. If the pothole is deep or the speed is high, the tire might bulge or even the wheel rim could deform. If you feel a bulge on the tire sidewall, it’s bad news. Hitting the undercarriage is the most troublesome—not only can the protective plate crack, but in severe cases, the suspension’s control arm or tie rod could bend, causing the steering wheel to pull to one side immediately. Last time, my friend’s car made a rattling noise in the engine bay after hitting a pothole, and it turned out the exhaust pipe hanger had snapped. It’s best to stop and check for any fluid leaks. If the shock absorber is damaged and leaking oil, you’ll hear a clunk when going over speed bumps. If filing an insurance claim, remember to take photos of the pothole on-site. Such impacts are really hard on the car’s structure, so brake early when you see a pothole next time.
A loud bang when hitting a pothole definitely damages the car! I've experienced wheel rims getting dented, and the tire repair shop said they couldn't fix it—only replacement was possible. The key factors are speed and the depth of the pothole. Run-flat tires with thin sidewalls are particularly prone to bursting. If the suspension ball joint or spring deforms from the impact, the car will wobble when driven, and the steering wheel will feel heavier. If the oil pan on the chassis gets scraped and leaks all the oil, the engine is done for. I recommend immediately checking if any dashboard warning lights are on and listening for continuous oil dripping or unusual noises under the car. When driving daily, slow down to below 30 when approaching potholes. Cities are full of manhole covers and road construction pits—don't rush through to save time, as repair costs will hurt even more.
