Is my suspension fine after hitting a crater of a pothole?
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2016
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From: Toronto, ON
2021 Mercedes C63s AMG Coupe
Is my suspension fine after hitting a crater of a pothole?
Recently a new highway near my home has been recarpeted. So while coming back home around midnight, I was quite relaxed on the drive back home, which I am never if I know the road has potholes in them, but considering the recarpeting that was done literally two weeks ago, I leaned back a little and BOOM. It felt like my driver front wheel has exploded. The rear driver side wheel for some reason did not crash as badly my front did. My dash cam started alarming that it recorded an impact event, I quickly went to my Tire Pressure Menu and everything by the looks of it seems fine, except I now have a vibration at anything over 120kmph. After stopping, I found no bubbles anywhere, the tires are brand new, and it does not look like I dropped a wheel weight. Steering wheel points perfectly straight considering I got alignment done recently. No pull, no other symptoms
I later went to check out what the hell did I hit the day later and it seems there a crater sized pothole has developed in the middle of the highway. And the width is just the size of my fronts, so may be my rears got saved by an inch on either side. Looking at the depth of the pothole though, I can't comprehend how .my suspension is still in one piece. So I am just wondering what are the things I should check for?
I guess the vibration is coming from a bent rim, I will have them checked out for bend coming Saturday. If that fixes it, then amazing, if not, no idea where to start the diagnosis from. How likely is it that I damaged a suspension component? So far I cannot hear any other noise which might tell me that something is wrong.
I later went to check out what the hell did I hit the day later and it seems there a crater sized pothole has developed in the middle of the highway. And the width is just the size of my fronts, so may be my rears got saved by an inch on either side. Looking at the depth of the pothole though, I can't comprehend how .my suspension is still in one piece. So I am just wondering what are the things I should check for?
I guess the vibration is coming from a bent rim, I will have them checked out for bend coming Saturday. If that fixes it, then amazing, if not, no idea where to start the diagnosis from. How likely is it that I damaged a suspension component? So far I cannot hear any other noise which might tell me that something is wrong.
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 297
Likes: 65
2015 E400
It's very likely you have front-end suspension damage. Years ago, during a winter thaw, I hit a patch of potholes with my W211 w/ sport package. I was going less than 35MPH, but I managed to crack 3 rims, and bend a tie rod. Between replacing the wheels and repairing the front-end suspension, my insurance co. was out over $5k. With low profile tires and alloys, you don't have to go too fast to sustain serious damage. That was the reason I went back to driving my old Range Rover during the winter. No skinny tires and no fears of potholes, just fears of something else failing and leaving me stranded...
Member
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 84
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W205 AMG C63S
Try having the wheel rebalanced first. Even though there is no visible damage, the rim might have gotten a proper beating and need straightening. I once drove over a piece of a brake disc from a truck, the front wheel hit it while it was on its side, but it most likely flipped up, hit the rear wheel catapulting that corner of the car about 10-15 cm into the air (felt like a meter) and tore a 5 cm gash in my COMPLETELY new tire. got it towed and the tire replaced and everything seemed fine until I got on a motorway at around 160 kph (I live close to Germany) and the car started shaking like it was trying to throw off a wheel. Turned out the rim had become slightly oval from the impact, and this would only show up at certain speeds. I got the rim straightened but it never really became perfect again.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2016
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From: Toronto, ON
2021 Mercedes C63s AMG Coupe
Try having the wheel rebalanced first. Even though there is no visible damage, the rim might have gotten a proper beating and need straightening. I once drove over a piece of a brake disc from a truck, the front wheel hit it while it was on its side, but it most likely flipped up, hit the rear wheel catapulting that corner of the car about 10-15 cm into the air (felt like a meter) and tore a 5 cm gash in my COMPLETELY new tire. got it towed and the tire replaced and everything seemed fine until I got on a motorway at around 160 kph (I live close to Germany) and the car started shaking like it was trying to throw off a wheel. Turned out the rim had become slightly oval from the impact, and this would only show up at certain speeds. I got the rim straightened but it never really became perfect again.
suspension seems very strong on these cars. i hit a pothole in my old car and blew two tires out (rims were fine because rotary forged) but no damage to suspension.
i've also been ran off the road in the current car and there was no damage in the instance either. had to dive into the grass a bit and filled the rim w/ dirt cause it was wet out
i've also been ran off the road in the current car and there was no damage in the instance either. had to dive into the grass a bit and filled the rim w/ dirt cause it was wet out
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W205 AMG C63S
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Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 1,527
Likes: 287
From: Toronto, ON
2021 Mercedes C63s AMG Coupe
suspension seems very strong on these cars. i hit a pothole in my old car and blew two tires out (rims were fine because rotary forged) but no damage to suspension.
i've also been ran off the road in the current car and there was no damage in the instance either. had to dive into the grass a bit and filled the rim w/ dirt cause it was wet out
i've also been ran off the road in the current car and there was no damage in the instance either. had to dive into the grass a bit and filled the rim w/ dirt cause it was wet out
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Member
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 140
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From: SF, CA
Current: 2019 C43 Old: 2016 C450
Like others have said, suspension is probably ok, doesn't hurt to check but it takes alot to damage the suspension. The wheel will take the most impact at the end of the day. You'll know if you damaged the suspension. It'll either sag in that corner or you'll hear noises. Check alignment also, your camber/toe may be off.
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 510
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From: Dallas Texas USA
2023 AMG EQE 53
Based on the minimal wheel damage and no tire damage I doubt there is any suspension damage. Suspension parts are tough. Have your dealer get it up on a rack to check things out if that'll make you feel better.
