Wheel/Suspension Concerns after driver forced me off the road.

[Mr Savage]

So I was driving home tonight when some crazy driver tried to squeeze through a gap that was well, too small and set himself on a direct collision course with me. Naturally my reactions took over and I steered to the left, saw the kerb and thought it's either that or the car and managed to straighten up the wheel just as it hit the kerb at about 25-30mph, the wheel bounced up the kerb and I wasn't in the best mood. I got straight out to check for damage and was happy that there wasn't a single mark on the alloy and no side wall damage to the tyre at all.

My concern is that I may have caused damage to the suspension, control arms, bearings, ect.

I've driven the car after for 20 miles and the car drives fine. I did the low speed test to check for vibrations which they're are none and none at high speeds either (70mph). The car goes in a straight line with the steering wheel in a straight position as I tested this in a flat empty car park and it followed the white line perfectly.

I further inspected the tyre 3 times in different positions for signs of any damage and can't see any. The coiliver looks healthy and the car sits right.

Is there a chance I got lucky here? I'll probably still take it in to the dealer to give it a check on the ramp for peace of mind.

[monkeyhanger]

I suppose the crazy driver got away scot-free? It takes some nerve to not react and make them swerve or brake instead, but if it was a clear-cut case of them being in the wrong (from an insurance point of view) should a collision have actually occurred, I might have given them as much room as possible to not hit the kerb and left the rest to fate (easy to say that after the event).

I’m amazed your wheel came off unscathed (I would still check for minor buckling by jacking that wheel up and giving it a spin – although your wheel would feel unbalanced if it was buckled), makes me think it was quite a soft collision with the kerb.

Getting a cheapy tracking check done at one of the tyre places for an indication of everything being approximately right might be your best bet. I’m sure one of the big chains does a check and if there are no adjustments to be made, they don’t charge you. Don’t forget the dealerships charge £70-80 an hour for their time and your work wouldn’t be covered by warranty.

[Booth11]

You might want to check the inside of the wheel.  I had a similar incident earlier this year, and though the car felt fine, I decided to get the alignment checked.   The inspection revealed that the inside rim of the alloy was severely bent and the tyre shredded, though still inflated, resulting in a new wheel and tyre.   It was lucky the tyre didn't blow.  Costs about £80 to get your alignment done on a Hunter machine.

[dubber36]

For piece of mind, I'd get a wheel alignment check done. It may cost £80 now, but it could prevent premature tyre wear which would be more expensive in the long run.

I've found that it's far better to stand your ground in theses potential head on situations if at all possible. It does take some nerve, but often if you are in control of your car, you ought to be able to stop, meaning the other driver has to take the avoiding action.

Narrow country lanes can create other issues too. I'm amazed at how many drivers will scuff their cars up against the hedge and expect me to do the same to pass if we meet in a narrow bit, even if they've just passed a gateway. I have reversed for what seemed like miles before to find a decent passing place. Often the other driver has wound his window down seemingly confused about what I have just done. I've said "I didn't fancy scratching my car like you just did" only to get a look back as if I'm from another planet.

[JoeGTI]

I've had similar things happen to me in other cars - a massive almighty bang after hitting a kerb / bad pothole and then you get out to inspect, fully expecting the alloy and tyre to be in bits, and it's perfect!
Then you could lightly brush off a kerb when parking and make a mess of the alloy!

[Mr Savage]

Yep the guy drove off and didn't stop! I've got the car booked in at Midland VW so hopefully Topher will give it a good check and alert me of any damage, here's hoping there's none!

[Ginagee]

There's some right bl**dy idots on the roads out there. I was driving along a country winding lane about 50mph, when a complete nutter in a red Mazda MX-5 came tearing out of the blue, in the opposite direction, in the middle of the road, right in front of me. Instinctively I pulled hard off the road onto the grassy bank as fast as I could. Thankfully no damage to the car. I don't think the idiot even knew this had happened. Certainly didn't stop. Husband said he could see this guy was fiddling with his glove box!!!!!! Talk about heart in mouth moment.
Hope your wheel & suspension will be ok Mr Savage.

[Mr Savage]

There is indeed Ginagee and thank you!

Car checked and thankfully all is fine! The front camber is off by about .11 on the drivers side which wasn't the side of the impact which the mechanic said was very strange as VW wouldn't have set it up like that from factory and you can't adjust it on the Mk7.

He was thinking it's possibly a manufacturing fault. Going to keep an eye on it to see if I get inner edge tyre wear/rub and if I do then it's going back to the dealers as this will be warranty covered.

[corgi]

There is indeed Ginagee and thank you!

Car checked and thankfully all is fine! The front camber is off by about .11 on the drivers side which wasn't the side of the impact which the mechanic said was very strange as VW wouldn't have set it up like that from factory and you can't adjust it on the Mk7.

He was thinking it's possibly a manufacturing fault. Going to keep an eye on it to see if I get inner edge tyre wear/rub and if I do then it's going back to the dealers as this will be warranty covered.

When you say the camber is off by 0.11 (I assume degrees) this is not ideal but should not cause a problem with premature tyre wear and I'd be surprised if you'd notice it in the handling - and you state that the car feels fine.

Camber in itself, unless it is excessive, isn't too bad for tyre wear... excessive camber in conjunction with toe (especially toe-out) will wear tyres very quickly... but keep and eye on it

[Mark V GTD]

I was driving along a country winding lane about 50mph

Try 30mph next time Gina