desmo996

Feel like a first class moron. Turning right into a tight parking lot I ended up impacting and driving up and over a 90 degree portion of a curb that was sticking out with the right rear tire. The jolt shocked me more than anything. This occured at parking lot speeds (no more than 10 mph).

I was ready for the worst when I got out but could find no damage whatsoever to the tire, wheel or car. I drove home on the highway and felt no difference in the car's steering or handling.

Would this kind of impact cause any unseen internal damage to the suspension? Since the rear tire was involved would you be unable to detect an alignment issue while driving? Should I take the car in for alignment? I can't visually see any problems so not sure what to do here.

Sincity

Probably not if you were going at a very low speed. Do you feel any unusual pull to the right or left?

desmo996

Feeling no pull in either direction. Maybe I got lucky??

What about suspension issues? How can you check for that or would that require taking the car in?

MB_Owner

Yep, sounds like Lady Luck was with you...certainly a good day when you can drive over a high curb with no rim damage.

Buy a Lotto ticket (or two or three) and hope your luck holds.

Kar don

I'd check for a bubble in the tire... won't appear right away.

desmo996

Will keep my eye on that. Is an air bubble in the tire repairable or does it mean you need to replace the tire?

How about frame damage? Is that possible when clipping a curb?

tc1728

bubbles can't be repaired and it will take more than a curb at low speed to do any frame damage. TC

mzporto

Once I hit a curb while making a turn with my C63. I admit, I had a couple glasses of wine. I was really slow and there was a car making the turn in front of me too (it was a 3-lane avenue and two streets merged into it in the same place) The car drifted a tad bit and I got really scared of having ruined my wheel/suspension etc.

But it turned out to be nothing. The tire just got a little white... If you were really slow, I don't think there should be damage... I mean, car is conceived to resist potholes at some speed... a little curb wouldn't make a difference.

Quadcammer

There is always a chance you may have damaged a rear tierod or aluminum control arm, but I doubt it.

you could always jack it up and look for anything goofy.

I think you'll be fine, but as noted, watch out for a tire bubble.

Sincity

I had several sets of Pirellis that bubbled easilly. I think you are good in the suspension department.

desmo996

Good point, I feel a bit better.

Thanks guys for all your input.

Hopefully no bubbles appear in the tire as it's basically brand new still.
As far as the control arm or tierod being damaged is this easily inspected visually or do you need to lift the car and remove the wheel for best view?

unomateo

As long as nobody was there to see it, you shouldn't feel like a moron.

desmo996

My worst critic was there.......me

bushburninc63

I would have kicked myself in the head. you're lucky, no curbage or tire damage.

desmo996

Tie rods are only located in the front wheels. Don't they relate only to steering? Same goes for control arms, right?

In my case the rear tire went over the curb, the front wheels weren't touched.

Viper98912

Nothing like driving a beautiful, rare, exciting, serious, sport sedan.....and driving it over a curb like a noob 16 year old ditz.

But I've been there done that, hit a 90 deg corner (no rounding) pulling into a tight McD's parking lot. I was lowered at the time, but it was no benz (or AMG for that fact) and running 205/55/16's lol.

Sounds like you're ok though...just one of life's "LAKSJDFIOJ ASIODJ IASLDKFJ 9 KJ!!!!!!"

davidbho

I did that last week on my near new set of BBS lm's, and nothing....and I bought lotto tix, nothing...still a good day though

Quadcammer

not quite my friend.

Independent rear suspensions typically have tie rods to keep the wheels from toeing in and out when you get on and off the gas.

Heres a pic:



The rear tie rods on the C63 are part number: 204 350 05 53 (L) and 204 350 06 53 (R).

You also have control arms front and back.

Tie rods tend to be the weakest/thinnest parts of the suspension so they tend to be the first things to be damaged in that type of impact.

desmo996

A good day indeed.

Ironically they don't have the lotto out here in Vegas. But I'm sure I could find an alternative

desmo996

Thanks a lot, that pic is very helpful!

Can the tie rods be visually inspected easily or would I need to lift the car? Or can they at least be felt if I reach behind the wheel?

Quadcammer

It would be preferred to get it up in the air, as its tough to tell much with just a quick feel/looksee.

I would drive it for a while, and if you don't notice any weird tire wear or odd driving characteristics, I wouldn't worry about it.

desmo996

Ya that's good advice and what I was thinking.

I was able to look through the wheel spacings and I saw the tie rod. It looked the same as the tie rod on the opposite side which was not involved but like you said probably hard to tell for sure without lifting the car up.