Hitting a curb can mess up your alignment, but it really depends on how hard you hit it and what kind of curb it is. A concrete curb is going to do more damage than a plastic one, for example. If you hit a curb hard enough, it can cause your tires to lose contact with the ground, which can lead to a loss of control.
It can also damage your suspension and throw off your steering.
If you’re wondering whether or not hitting a curb can mess up your alignment, the answer is yes. Hitting a curb can definitely throw your alignment off, and it’s something that you’ll want to get fixed as soon as possible.
There are a few telltale signs that your alignment is off after hitting a curb.
First, you may notice that your car starts to pull to one side or the other when you’re driving straight. Additionally, your tires may start to wear unevenly, with one side of the tire wearing down more quickly than the other.
If you suspect that your alignment is off after hitting a curb, the best thing to do is take your car into a professional for an inspection.
They’ll be able to tell for sure if your alignment is out of whack and can recommend the best course of action for getting it back into shape. In most cases, simply realigning your wheels will do the trick. However, in some cases, you may need to replace one or more of your tires if they’ve been damaged beyond repair.
either way, it’s important to get things checked out as soon as possible so that you can avoid any further damage to your vehicle.
What Happens When You Hit a Curb Slowly
If you’re lucky, nothing happens. Hitting a curb slowly usually just results in a scraped wheel and maybe a bent axle. However, if you’re unlucky, hitting a curb slowly can result in much more serious damage.
When you hit a curb, your tire can be forced off the rim of your wheel. This can cause a blowout, which can lead to loss of control of your vehicle. Additionally, your suspension can be damaged, which can affect the handling of your car.
In the worst case scenario, hitting a curb slowly can cause your car to flip over.
Credit: extracareauto.com
Can Hitting a Curb Cause a Misalignment?
If you hit a curb hard enough, it can cause your car to become misaligned. This is because hitting a curb can jar your car’s suspension and throw off the alignment of your wheels. If you suspect that your car may be misaligned after hitting a curb, you should take it to a mechanic or dealership to have it checked out.
What to Look for After Hitting a Curb?
If you’re like most people, you probably don’t give much thought to the curbs lining the streets and sidewalks. But if you accidentally hit one with your car, it can cause some serious damage. Here’s what to look for after hitting a curb:
1. Check for tire damage. If your tire is punctured or otherwise damaged, it will need to be replaced.
2. Inspect your wheel rim for damage.
A bent or cracked wheel rim can cause problems down the road, so it’s best to get it fixed as soon as possible.
3. Take a look at your suspension system. Hitting a curb can jar your suspension and cause problems later on if it’s not properly inspected and repaired.
4. Have your alignment checked. Even if your tires and wheels seem fine, hitting a curb can throw off your alignment and cause issues with steering down the road.
5. Get an estimate for repairs from a reputable mechanic or body shop before having any work done.
What Can Be Damaged After Hitting a Curb?
If you hit a curb too hard, you could damage your car’s tires, rims or suspension.
Does Hitting a Curb Always Cause Damage?
It depends on the speed and angle of impact. A glancing blow may not cause any damage, but a direct hit at high speed can break suspension components, puncture tires, and even bend wheels.
Hit a pothole or curb? Get your alignment fixed ASAP!
Conclusion
Hitting a curb with your car can definitely mess up your alignment, and it’s something that you’ll want to get fixed as soon as possible. Alignment problems can cause all sorts of issues with your car, from making it harder to steer to making the tires wear unevenly. If you hit a curb hard enough, it can even damage the suspension.
So if you’ve hit a curb, be sure to get your alignment checked out!
