Hit a big and unavoidable pothole. Car pulling to right even after alignment.

[TappaNuKegga]

Hi All,

Despite coming from many cars on coilovers, and considering myself a professional pothole dodger, my S4 on stock suspension unfortunately went over a deep and sharp pothole recently. Results are a front-passengerside tire inside-sidewall blow out.

After tire change, car is pulling to the right. Had an alignment performed, still pulling to right.

Any ideas on which suspension component(s) could have been damaged before I start guessing? Nothing appears to be physically bent or damaged upon inspection. I caught the edge of the pothole with the inside edge of the tire, resulting in a inner sidewall blowout.

Is it most likely one of the control arm endlinks or could I have bent the knuckle? Any ideas and reasoning are greatly appreciated!

Thanks,

-M

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[esimp2k]

I had the same thing happen to me a while back. Whole suspension passenger front was pushed back. A laundry list of parts including some body work. Good luck!


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[TappaNuKegga]

I had the same thing happen to me a while back. Whole suspension passenger front was pushed back. A laundry list of parts including some body work. Good luck!


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Dear Lord...

Bodywork as in frame correction I assume?

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[MrFunk]

Those pot holes are killers for any low profile tire and stiff suspension car.
Did you not have to replace your wheel? Just the tire? I'd guess your wheel is bent also... no vibration in steering?
I'd have the alignment double checked. Are you confident in the shop you took it to? While it's there they should do a close inspection of all components. I doubt anyone on here will be able to diagnose your problem better than a mechanic under your car.
There is no point in guessing what parts are damaged...

[esimp2k]

Dear Lord...

Bodywork as in frame correction I assume?

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It was rough. I handled it through the dealer and insurance however. Car was there for a month. $7k. Maybe would have been $4k at an independent.


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[TappaNuKegga]

Those pot holes are killers for any low profile tire and stiff suspension car.
Did you not have to replace your wheel? Just the tire? I'd guess your wheel is bent also... no vibration in steering?
I'd have the alignment double checked. Are you confident in the shop you took it to? While it's there they should do a close inspection of all components. I doubt anyone on here will be able to diagnose your problem better than a mechanic under your car.
There is no point in guessing what parts are damaged...

I actually had a set of 18s on at the time, not my 19s. I tried doing a tire rotation after replacing the blown out tire to no avail.

Recently changed to my 19s but still pulling to right. I had the alignment done at an Audi dealer in PA. No steering wheel vibration.

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[TappaNuKegga]

It was rough. I handled it through the dealer and insurance however. Car was there for a month. $7k. Maybe would have been $4k at an independent.


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Here's hoping the extent of my damage isn't as severe as yours...

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[kelseysautobody]

Swap your front wheels and see if it pulls the other direction

[TappaNuKegga]

Swap your front wheels and see if it pulls the other direction

Already tried a wheel/tire rotation. I put a whole new set of wheels on actually

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[kelseysautobody]

Do you have a printout from the alignment?

[TappaNuKegga]

Do you have a printout from the alignment?

I do. I can PM you a picture when I'm home today. Thanks a ton man.


Glad there are still some true car guys left on this forum that know how to diagnose and turn a wrench.

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[kelseysautobody]

No problem, post it up here so others can chime in too.

[Brother Owl]

I had the alignment done at an Audi dealer in PA

There's your problem. Stealership isn't going to waste time checking suspension components during an alignment. Find a trusted Indy shop and they will inspect it thoroughly

[dave1078]

Not sure if it's true where you live, but damage from potholes can in some places be paid for by the city.

[SDV325]

Not sure if it's true where you live, but damage from potholes can in some places be paid for by the city.

Only if a sign isn't present showing a "bump" or some sort. If there isn't a road sign, get out there an get a picture quick!

[MVR 155]

I would get the car to a reputable body shop for an inspection of the suspension parts. I would do this over bringing it to a regular mechanic.

[DGVR6]

Don't jump into conclusions lol.. I had the same issue.. did you get a spec sheet from the alignment shop?

You probably bent the shock absorbers. I blew out my tires, bent the oem wheel doing like 60 the highway while braking. Worst combo lol. Was pulling to the right even after alignment and I think secondary angle was off. Put on some coilovers and it was brand new again. It won't be some crazy frame or body work

[LeadToRome]

I would get the car to a reputable body shop for an inspection of the suspension parts. I would do this over bringing it to a regular mechanic.

Personally I'd go to a suspension shop before I went to body shop...