HIT A POT HOLE!!

[nate5176]

Unbelievable I got a 2009 Civic Si. Hit a pot hole, and instantly new something was wrong. I took it to the Honda Dealer, that put it on the lift, my front driver-side rim is BARELY bent..(supposedly). and my driver-side rear rim was monstrously bent and the tire was jacked up. I just brought the car home today, they put a new rim on the rear, and put the new tire on the front/ driver side, rather than rear/ driver which is where the original came got messed up. SO, NOW I got a nasty pull towards the left. I called the guy up as soon as I got home, he thinks it's because they put the Brand new tire on the front, rather than the rear. Could this be the cause for the strong pull to the left? It mainly pulls when you are accelerating. They did balance and align it as well. THOUGHTS?

[SpeedDemon]

get an alignment. if you hit potholes they can throw your car out of alignment very easily. as for tires its hard when you only replace once side because of different tire wear. just start off with an alignment like so and see if that helps

[nate5176]

I had an alignment done when the put the new rim and tire on. I have 20K miles on the 3 tires on my car, and they just put that brand new one on. So I was thinking maybe the slight difference in size could make the strong pull to the left....

[SpeedDemon]

yeah that could be, or you bent something. did you hit the pothole during a turn?

[Ben.]

This brings to mind a commercial involving a country-voice having talking pothole and a 350z tire and rim that got owned.

 

"DID I DO THAAAAAAT? LET ME GET MY CELLULAR OUT, AND CALL YOU A WRECKER."

 

"OH, SHOOT. I DON'T HAVE A CELL PHONE, 'CAUSE I'M A POT HOOOOLE!"

[Xeryon]

If the hole you hit was big enough you could have easily bent part of the suspension and/or the steering rack. Time to take it back to the shop and have them give it a good test drive. And for the record it is never a good idea to replace only one tire for the same reason you are noting. Always replace tires in pairs.

 

Make sure to file a complaint with your local transportation department. In Ohio if a complaint was made the transportation department has a limited amount of time to make repairs or the local governing body is liable for paying for your repairs.

[nate5176]

I put in a complaint and filed a claim, I was apparently the first to make the report of this one... lucky me. it's a 50/50 shot if they will reimburse me. I'm aware it's best to replace tires in pairs... I just don't need two. I really don't think it's the suspension or steering rack, it doesn't feel that severe. Could the new tire being put on the front cause that pull to the left though?

[Xeryon]

Yes. But not only for the reason of the tire being a hair taller or shorter: the rubber being softer or harder and for the edge of the tread being worn down and giving you a smaller contact patch.

[nate5176]

so would if make a difference if they put that tire on the back of the car?

[Xeryon]

It should help. It may still have some pull though.

 

Of course the rule is to replace in pairs, but I think if you do have to mis-match tires it would be best for the fronts to be identical.

[lil.nate]

This brings to mind a commercial involving a country-voice having talking pothole and a 350z tire and rim that got owned.

 

"DID I DO THAAAAAAT? LET ME GET MY CELLULAR OUT, AND CALL YOU A WRECKER."

 

"OH, SHOOT. I DON'T HAVE A CELL PHONE, 'CAUSE I'M A POT HOOOOLE!"

 

i love this commercial...seriously that voice makes it sooo amazing