So I went to SOWS CW a few weeks ago. And I hit that nefarious "pothole" at the head of the blind chicane. Hard. Twice. 95-100mph. So I've been a bit paranoid since then. And, knowing that I can be paranoid about such things, I've assumed that to be the final answer.

But I swear the car feels different know. Minor vibration in the wheel at speed, moderate cabin roughness and shake, and uneven braking. I initially chalked it off to crappy OC streets, but as I drive around familiar roads more and more, it just feels different all around. The usual suspects are a bent rim, bent arms, or, if possible, frame damage? What about massive tire scrub? Could the tires get scrubbed enough unevenly for me to be feeling what I am?

I've already gotten an alignment. The hits didn't really knock the alignment off very much, if at all. I'll be removing the front wheels this weekend. I'm not sure what to look for when it comes to damaged suspension components. I guess I'll try comparing with the other side. And then, I'll get the wheels balanced.

Anyway, I guess I'm just looking for advice, potential things to look for, and how likely it would be that the frame is the culprit. I'm not even sure where to begin on how to check that one.

Thanks all.

 

I came in to suggest an alignment, however since you are in the OC, I don't think you'll have trouble finding another S2K owner to compare your car with.

Hitting the pothole that hard may have bent some suspension components(control arm maybe?), but if it didn't I'd bet money that you knocked off a wheel weight or 2 on that wheel. Once you remove the wheel, look for adhesive residue where the wheel weight may have fallen off from. If you see this, get both front wheels balanced and see if this cures your problem.

 

Hmm, good idea, I hadn't considered that. But if the hits were hard enough to knock off the weights, I'm guessing that's enough to bend the wheels? I'm gonna go outside right now and look for adhesive residue.

 

Sometimes the weights aren't glued down very well, or just simply lose their adhesive properties overtime. I know a few of my friends who lost weights from simply driving around. Hopefully this is what it is in your case. Good luck!

 

Have your wheel balanced and you'll find out if your wheels are bent.

 

If nothing else, check for broken radial belts in the tire.

 

What about frame damage? There's no way I could tell myself right? I just have to take it to a shop that does frames? Thanks for all the feedback btw.

 

i honestly doubt you have frame damage from hitting a large pothole lol. i was at sows too and i jumped the curb a little too much and my rear toe was in opposite directions after O_O. anyways, i was also getting a small vibration in the steering wheel @ 80+ mph. 75 it starts to die down. i know for a fact i have a bent wheel, but its bent in maybe like 1/4 of an inch at the most you can barely tell if its there. my body shop guy said it wouldnt even make a difference because these wheels are so heavy anyways. i dont know if thats true or not, especially at high speeds. i'm not sure if its the bend or if a balance weight fell off. i'm hitting up sows again on the 14th so i gotta get this fixed too haha.

 

pothole = bent rim

pothole = jacked alignment

Check your rim first by having it turned and balanced.

Then your alignment.

 

he said he already got an alignment. i think right now its down to fallen off wheel weights and bent rim