How Do Wheels Get Knocked Out Of Alignment?
It doesn’t take much to damage a rim or knock a car out of alignment. One minute you’re cruising along and the next you hit a bump or pothole, jolting the whole car. Next thing you know you have a bent rim, flat tire, or problems with your vehicle’s alignment.
Sometimes it doesn’t even take a large bump. Today’s 18 and 19-inch rims can get bent bumping against a curb or entering your driveway. Fortunately, there are inexpensive ways to keep that from happening as we’ll show you in this article.
Common Ways Wheels Get Knocked Out Of Alignment
Hitting a pothole, speedbump, metal plate, or curb can cause damage to your wheels and suspension. It can happen all at once if you hit one of these objects fast enough or gradually over time. The best way to avoid damaging your car is to slow down and avoid the obstacle when possible.
However, one obstacle that often gets overlooked and that can cause just as much damage is the curb at the end of your driveway. Over time it can cause the same issues as hitting a pothole or other obstacle in the street. Eventually, you’ll need a wheel alignment or have to replace a tire, wheel, or parts of your suspension.
This video explains how wheels get knocked out of alignment and why it’s important to have your vehicle checked regularly.
The Cost Of Realigning Wheels
Today’s cars require special computerized alignment machines and typically need alignments performed on all four wheels. The alignment itself can cost several hundred dollars in addition to any suspension parts that need to be repaired or replaced. Alignment issues are also compounded by today’s larger rims and low-profile tires. As rim sizes increased, so did the damage and cost of repairing or replacing a wheel.
But the cost of alignment and wheels are only part of the equation. In many cases, the tire is also damaged when the wheel is damaged and will need to be replaced. Low-profile tires are more susceptible to sidewall damage which can cause a blowout or a tire to collapse. This is also true for high-performance run-flat tires.
Finally, in addition to wheel and tire damage, there’s also the possibility of suspension damage. It doesn’t take much to damage a strut, control arm, or other suspension components. Once you add up all of these costs, you’re looking at a hefty repair bill.
Why BRIDJIT Curb Ramps Make The Most Sense
For all of the above reasons, BRIDJIT curb ramps are the most practical and inexpensive way to protect your vehicles from driveway curb damage. BRIDJIT is an expandable innovative curb ramp system that bridges the gap between the street and a rolled curb driveway entry. All BRIDJIT curb ramps are made in the USA from recycled rubber, come with a five-year warranty, and ship for free.
