Hit a big bump in the road! - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

NicksVSix · 08-06-2014, 02:58 PM

Driving back from a friend's house late last night I went over a bump in the road that was the result of some ongoing road work.
I should have remembered it was there, but I was tired and it was poorly marked. The only reason I saw it while going to his place was the fact that it was during daylight hours.

Anyway, the bump (a change in the level of the pavement, really) is a good few inches, maybe 3", and I hit it going about 70km/hr. It made an awful noise that scared the s**t outta me...like I'd hit something.
No body damage at all, the tires and suspension took all of it. She still drives straight and there's no sounds/funny noises or vibrations, but I'm still worried I might have damaged something.

How tough are the rims and suspension on our Camaros? Should I take it to my dealership to have them give it a "once over" or is that overkill?

Sometimes it sucks having a car you love. Had this happened in my old Alero or Sunfire, I'd be laughing about it.

Cheers.

Evergreen6 · 08-06-2014, 03:05 PM

The damage is usually felt via vibrations, pulling, or can be seen.

Do a visual check of the tires for any bulges or obvious damage. Check the pressure, as sometimes a hard enough hit can unseat the bead from the rim.

Check for any obvious cracks or damage to the wheels.

Check for any damage to the undercarriage- missing air deflectors or obvious scrapes, verify that all the oil pans (engine, trans) and any exposed brake or fuel lines are still in good shape and aren't leaking.

Check the shocks- look for leaking oil, do the push down test on all 4 corners. Should rebound once, and not jiggle up and down.

If you want to get crazy, put the car up on jackstands and wiggle the wheels to make sure the bearings are still good. Hell, pull off the wheels and take a good look at everything while they're off. But...unless there's conditions that make you suspect of damage, this probably isn't necessary.

For suspension and steering-- you'll notice if the car is pulling or is steering funny. But mostly a bent or out of balance wheel can be felt as a vibration in the car or shake in the steering wheel.

rebelyell22 · 08-06-2014, 03:08 PM

it's fine...

NicksVSix · 08-06-2014, 03:08 PM

Thanks Evergreen6!

I'll give it a thorough look tonight after work. Felt like it drove fine, but I'll pay extra attention on the drive home.

goinggone14 · 08-06-2014, 03:49 PM

It may not have seemed like there was any damage, but I'd check all the way under your front bumper. There's probably some scraping that happened there which should be pretty apparent. If there isn't than it's likely something else which should be checked out.

Shiftgreen · 08-06-2014, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NicksVSix

Sometimes it sucks having a car you love. Had this happened in my old Alero or Sunfire, I'd be laughing about it.

Cheers.

I know what you mean , I hit a pot hole last night, and it deff made me say an explicative as loud as I could yell. It wasn't fast enough to do damage, but it was probably the worst one Ive hit. I usually avoid them pretty well but this was hidden.

Its worst with cars you love, almost makes it a hassle to drive b/c of the constant worry of either rocks hitting it, or another car. Just can;t worry to much about it since it's just a car, or so my wife says. ha

Yeah if it were my honda civic I wouldn't think twice, thank God for beaters.

JohnyBoy · 08-06-2014, 05:07 PM

I would take it in for an inspection, doubt their is something damaged, but in case their is its better to find out now before it causes other potential problems.

Need4speed_motorsports · 08-06-2014, 06:19 PM

The first year I got my car, every little sous my car made, freaked me out. These cars are tough animals, don't be scared to bang them up reasonably.

Avenging Orange · 08-06-2014, 11:47 PM

Yeah, rolled over a curb once in a parking lot. These cars are tougher than you might think. Not to mention, low profile tires and stiffer suspension makes everything feel worse than it is.

08-07-2014, 04:07 AM

On another note...I hate to say it but check your steering set up. Did something similar and my intermediary steering shaft became unseated from the rack and I had to have an entirely new rack put in. The only sign was a small leak that would have gotten horrendous!

The bump I hit was missing pavement over dirt at about 15 kph turning into where we live.

08-06-2014, 02:58 PM	#1
NicksVSix Drives: 2014 2LT Red Rock Metallic Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Ottawa, Ontario Posts: 1,082 View My Garage	Hit a big bump in the road! Driving back from a friend's house late last night I went over a bump in the road that was the result of some ongoing road work. I should have remembered it was there, but I was tired and it was poorly marked. The only reason I saw it while going to his place was the fact that it was during daylight hours. Anyway, the bump (a change in the level of the pavement, really) is a good few inches, maybe 3", and I hit it going about 70km/hr. It made an awful noise that scared the s**t outta me...like I'd hit something. No body damage at all, the tires and suspension took all of it. She still drives straight and there's no sounds/funny noises or vibrations, but I'm still worried I might have damaged something. How tough are the rims and suspension on our Camaros? Should I take it to my dealership to have them give it a "once over" or is that overkill? Sometimes it sucks having a car you love. Had this happened in my old Alero or Sunfire, I'd be laughing about it. Cheers. __________________

08-06-2014, 03:08 PM	#3
rebelyell22 Drives: 2011 SIM 2SS/RS LS3 Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Tupelo, MS Posts: 5,902	it's fine... __________________ 2011 2SS/RS built 8/24/10

08-06-2014, 03:08 PM	#4
NicksVSix Drives: 2014 2LT Red Rock Metallic Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Ottawa, Ontario Posts: 1,082 View My Garage	Thanks Evergreen6! I'll give it a thorough look tonight after work. Felt like it drove fine, but I'll pay extra attention on the drive home. __________________

08-06-2014, 11:47 PM	#9
Avenging Orange Drives: 2010 Inferno Orange 2SS/RS Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Clermont, IN Posts: 3,297	Yeah, rolled over a curb once in a parking lot. These cars are tougher than you might think. Not to mention, low profile tires and stiffer suspension makes everything feel worse than it is. __________________ 2010 Inferno Orange 2SS/RS M6 Black Leather, Sun Roof, OBX Headers, Borla touring axle back, Cold Air Inductions CAI , non synthetic fluids, BMR total bushing upgrade/1" lowering springs, DSE 32mm rear sway bar. GM fe4 shocks/struts/LCA's, AAM 3.91 diff, Vertini RFS1.8 20x9 +30. Conti ExtremeContact Sport 275/35/20. sjm autoprod ABL dash kit. Mike Norris tuned 413/419. Avenging Orange: 43 years of not buying into the Hype........and damn proud of it!! https://youtu.be/9JD9it6SmB8 https://youtu.be/xmelTlEzI34 KICKING CANCERS ASS SINCE 2015!!

08-06-2014, 03:05 PM	#2
Evergreen6 Drives: 2023 Camaro 1SS Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: United States Posts: 1,437	The damage is usually felt via vibrations, pulling, or can be seen. Do a visual check of the tires for any bulges or obvious damage. Check the pressure, as sometimes a hard enough hit can unseat the bead from the rim. Check for any obvious cracks or damage to the wheels. Check for any damage to the undercarriage- missing air deflectors or obvious scrapes, verify that all the oil pans (engine, trans) and any exposed brake or fuel lines are still in good shape and aren't leaking. Check the shocks- look for leaking oil, do the push down test on all 4 corners. Should rebound once, and not jiggle up and down. If you want to get crazy, put the car up on jackstands and wiggle the wheels to make sure the bearings are still good. Hell, pull off the wheels and take a good look at everything while they're off. But...unless there's conditions that make you suspect of damage, this probably isn't necessary. For suspension and steering-- you'll notice if the car is pulling or is steering funny. But mostly a bent or out of balance wheel can be felt as a vibration in the car or shake in the steering wheel.

08-06-2014, 03:49 PM	#5
goinggone14 Drives: 2014 Camaro 1SS / RS Join Date: May 2014 Location: New Jersey Posts: 394 View My Garage	It may not have seemed like there was any damage, but I'd check all the way under your front bumper. There's probably some scraping that happened there which should be pretty apparent. If there isn't than it's likely something else which should be checked out.

08-06-2014, 05:07 PM	#7
JohnyBoy Drives: GM car Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: North America Posts: 49	I would take it in for an inspection, doubt their is something damaged, but in case their is its better to find out now before it causes other potential problems.

08-06-2014, 06:19 PM	#8
Need4speed_motorsports Drives: 2016 Camaro SS Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Glendale, CA Posts: 4,656 View My Garage	The first year I got my car, every little sous my car made, freaked me out. These cars are tough animals, don't be scared to bang them up reasonably.

08-07-2014, 04:07 AM	#10
firedruish Guest Posts: n/a View My Garage	On another note...I hate to say it but check your steering set up. Did something similar and my intermediary steering shaft became unseated from the rack and I had to have an entirely new rack put in. The only sign was a small leak that would have gotten horrendous! The bump I hit was missing pavement over dirt at about 15 kph turning into where we live.