Welsh roads can be beautiful, but they aren’t always kind to your car. After a summer of driving across uneven surfaces and encountering potholes on routes such as the A474, your brakes, tyres, wheels and suspension may have taken a beating.
Pothole damage isn’t always immediately obvious. Sometimes the first warning is a strange noise or a subtle change in how your car handles.
Signs of Pothole Damage
Keep an eye and ear out for these warning signs.
Squealing or grinding brakes
Brake noise shouldn’t automatically be blamed on potholes, but if unusual sounds appear after a season of heavy driving, have the brakes inspected.
Grinding can indicate significant brake wear and should not be ignored.
A soft brake pedal
A brake pedal that feels unusually soft or spongy needs attention.
Braking problems are safety-critical, so arrange an inspection rather than continuing to drive and hoping the sensation disappears.
Steering that feels different
A hard pothole impact can affect wheels, tyres, tracking or suspension components.
If the car starts pulling to one side, the steering wheel isn’t straight when travelling on a straight road, or the vehicle feels unstable, get it checked.
Wobbling or vibration
Vibration through the steering wheel, particularly at certain speeds, can indicate a wheel or tyre problem.
Don’t assume it will correct itself.
Don’t Forget the Suspension
The suspension system has to absorb countless bumps and imperfections during normal driving.
Repeated impacts can contribute to problems with components such as:
- Shock absorbers
- Springs
- Bushes
- Ball joints
- Track rods
If you hear knocking or clunking over bumps, arrange an inspection.
The backroads between Glanamman and Garnant can be particularly demanding on a vehicle, so local drivers should pay attention to any changes in handling.
A Small Problem Can Become a Bigger One
Ignoring a damaged tyre, misaligned wheel or worn suspension component can lead to further problems.
For example, incorrect wheel alignment can contribute to uneven tyre wear, potentially shortening the life of your tyres.
If you’ve had a few hard pothole impacts this summer, a quick inspection could provide valuable peace of mind.
If you’re searching for pothole damage repairs in Caerbont, Brooke’s Auto Repair can inspect your brakes, tyres, steering and suspension.
Don’t wait for a small knock to become an expensive repair.
