Well today when driving my '82 300D Turbo in the first snowfall of the season I braked for a turn and my car skidded to the right and I hit the sidewalk curb. I was going about 30km/hr when the front left wheel hit the curb. So I got out and looked at it. A part of the outside edge is scratched and a there is a tiny dent. It's only noticeable if you look closely. So I parked it and on the way back home it drove fine except for an odd sound I heard for a couple of seconds while driving 80km/hr. It sounded like it was coming from the hit wheel. So my question is what damage was done to the car? I can't imagine that this did any good for the alignment, but what about the wheel bearings, front suspension, etc?

Probably no serious damage. You should take a look at all the control arms on the top and bottom of the wheel to make sure none of them broke.

I had the same thing happen last season with a light pickup - about the same speed, I couldn't stop on ice for an intersection and headed for the curb. I was worried for awhile but soon forgot all about it - no ill effects. In fact your mention of your mishap jarred my memory about mine - I had forgotten all about it.

My guess is all you did was scratch the wheel.

Ken300D

Heh, I had a similar experience with my VW, except it was during a really bad rain storm (well after one). I was going through a tight turn when the car started hydroplaning, luckily I was on the outside so I just slid in to the curb (when I started skidding I tryed to counter it, but my attempts proved useless), popped up onto it and came to a halt. I threw it into 1st and eased it off the curb, took it easy so I could feel if there was any damage, there wasn't any, so I drove merrily on my way. When I got to my friends house I got a good look at everything. There was a small scrape on the rim (std VW steel rims) and a chunk of curb.

Thank goodness for solid German Engineering, I'd hate to see what would have happened to a Honda, it woulda probably taken off the front spoiler


Anyways, I doubt there's much of a problem if you hit the curb at a proper angle.

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1989 VW Diesel Jetta Blue/Blue "Bodo" RIP

Did some one mentioned HONDA!!?? (Looks at my Sig for hints)..

You shouldn't worry too much if the car drives fine... that is, no vibration at high speed, steering wheel is center... etc.

Andy Kuo

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1992 Mercedes-Benz 400SE
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