I pulled too close to a concrete parking stall and scraped the bottom of the front bumper. What type of damage should I look for?
I pulled too close to a concrete parking stall and scraped the bottom of the front bumper. What type of damage should I look for?
My car has 8000 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.
Experienced mechanics share their insights in answering this question :
Hello. The extent of damage you should be looking for is relative to how hard that concrete blocker with hit/scraped. Its dificult to say which parts may have been effected without knowing where exactly the vehicle was hit. The radiator is relatively sensitive and located in the front. It is subject to dents and cracks. You would lilely see a leak if it was damaged. Look for the obvious physical damage. Think about what engine or transmission components beyond those damaged body parts would have taken the impact. Chances are you’re looking at some mild body damage with scratching and cracking on the bumper or skid plate. Whatever damage is behind that bumper is likely minimal. The whole point of the bumper is to absorb the impact. The skid plate protects the engine and transmission from road debris and scraping. Give it a good visual inspection, but besides cosmetics, you are likely just fine.
How to Identify and Fix Common car Problems ?
Our sources include academic articles, blog posts, and personal essays from experienced mechanics :
Also known as curb stops or parking blocks, wheelstops are the small barriers used at the end of parking spaces to assist attentive drivers with parking their vehicles; wheelstops are also consistently identified as pedestrian tripping hazards.
Hitting a curb hard enough can shift your axle and wheel shaft into the transmission. Even a slight jolt to the case can do harm. If you run over a curb and scrape the bottom of your car, it can even disconnect linkages and cables from the transmission case housing itself.
The purpose of parking bumpers is pretty simple. They are a form of protection. They protect the nearby buildings from vehicle damage. They protect the movement of pedestrians on sidewalks by preventing you from parking your car with the front bumper hanging over the sidewalk.
The primary function of parking blocks on roads, driveways, and parking areas is to stop a rolling car. In some cases, these barriers might cause danger if the driver forgets to engage the hand brake before leaving the vehicle in an inclined parking lot.
Concrete: Traditional concrete is perhaps the most popular material for parking stops.
Originally the header block was used in conjunction with brick to allow the brick to tie to the wall. Turning the brick back into the wall and teeing them to the block made for a much stronger system. Today they are used almost totally as forms for garage slabs.
Visible scrapes or hanging parts: If you see scrapes around the base of your car or notice anything hanging down while parked, you`ve likely hit something on the road that`s caused damage to the undercarriage of your car.
The Most Commonly Damaged Car Parts
Since most accidents involve at least one vehicle traveling forward, the front bumper is the first and most familiar to receive the impact. Bumper damage can also come from scratches, dings, and dents from inattentive driving or even a rogue shopping cart.
Bumpers are designed for low-speed collisions.
Bumpers can absorb the energy from those collisions and prevent damage from occurring to the rest of your car. Without the protection of a bumper, a minor collision could cause significant and costly damage to your car.
Radar-based sensors on the rear of the vehicle are used for blind spot and cross-traffic monitoring. These are typically mounted behind the bumper fascia and project their signals through it.
If you do choose concrete, you should be aware of several factors: Concrete parking blocks are extremely heavy. A 6-foot block weighs approximately 275 lbs. Not only does this make concrete parking blocks very expensive to ship, it also makes the product difficult to transport and install.
Each wheel stop comes with two pins for installation. They weigh 200 lbs each.
Natural materials like granite, limestone, and quartzite are quite strong and make for an easy choice for parking.
Asphalt is well-known for its long lifespan and durability. It is a popular choice for roads and car parks because of its sleek finish and resistance to the weather. Asphalt is also very resistant to weeds, which means it is low maintenance and remains aesthetically pleasing for a long time after laying.
Concrete blocks are often made of 1:3:6 concrete with a maximum size aggregate of 10mm or a cement-sand mixture with a ratio of 1:7, 1:8 or 1:9. These mixtures, if properly cured, give concrete blocks a compression strength well above what is required in a one-storey building.
Solid concrete blocks, which are highly heavyweight and formed by aggregate, are primarily utilized in construction projects. They`re sturdy and give structures a lot of solidities. These solid blocks are ideal for large-scale projects such as force-bearing walls.
There are two main types of concrete blocks used in the construction industry: hollow and solid. Fully solid blocks are often used for projects like paving, where stability and durability are important.
Hitting a curb at speeds of just 5–10 mph is enough to cause significant damage. Even if the impact feels insignificant, you should still pull over to assess the damage. Check the tire, especially the sidewall, for damage.
Solutions: A proper wheel alignment is recommended after hitting a curb, as well as once or twice every year. Replacing your rim is also essential if yours has been bent, and if you have uneven tire treads or sidewall punctures, you`ll need new tires.
The Car`s Weakest Part is The Nut Holding The Steering Wheel Bumper Sticker (Funny Joke)
Engine Replacement
People who have experienced the agony of replacing the engine, whether it`s your average Joe or a certified auto technician, will say that this is the biggest challenge in any car. Cars are expensive, and you can change your engine instead of buying a whole new vehicle.
Most vehicle bumpers are made out of flimsy, cheap materials that damage rather easily with even the slightest bump or tap. Repairing bumpers today is often expensive, time-consuming, and difficult to achieve without substantial labor – of course, depending on the nature of the problem.
The bumper is a vital feature that stabilizes and protects the frame of your car. Even minor damage to your bumper compromises that protection. If you continue to drive, the car frame may sustain further damage. That means that by delaying bumper repairs, you can worsen the structural damage to your car.
The front bumper of a car is slightly better protected, especially vehicles equipped with a plastic license plate front bracket. Front car bumper protection like the new BumpShox was designed as a replacement license frame that doubles as a bumper guard.
Relevant Questions and Answers :
the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue
I pulled too close to a concrete parking stall and scraped the bottom of the front bumper. What type of damage should I look for?
ANSWER : Hello. The extent of damage you should be looking for is relative to how hard that concrete blocker with hit/scraped. Its dificult to say which parts may have been effected without knowing where exactly the vehicle was hit. The radiator is relatively sensitive and located in the front. It is subject to dents and cracks. You would lilely see a leak if it was damaged. Look for the obvious physical damage. Think about what engine or transmission components beyond those damaged body parts would have taken the impact. Chances are you’re looking at some mild body damage with scratching and cracking on the bumper or skid plate. Whatever damage is behind that bumper is likely minimal. The whole point of the bumper is to absorb the impact. The skid plate protects the engine and transmission from road debris and scraping. Give it a good visual inspection, but besides cosmetics, you are likely just fine.
Can I LEGALLY switch my front and rear bumpers to Isuzu Impulse bumpers?
ANSWER : You should not have any problems as long as the VIN number on the car and your registration still match. People do all sorts of ground effects and other body changes that change the way the body looks. If you feel you may be doing something wrong or will get pulled over for it, then take pictures of the before car, a few during the changes, and then the final picture to keep them with your registration to show the changes you did. Keep the receipts for the body parts you buy so you do not get accused for buying hot or stolen parts.
Axle Damage 2005 Dodge Caravan
ANSWER : Hi there – I would have the vehicle inspected to determine the extent of damage to the drive train, and the fuel tank/pump assembly. Damage to both of these areas could be a real safety issue. I recommend a axle vibration inspection and a fuel smell inspection performed by a mobile, professional mechanic, such as one from YourMechanic, who will come to your location, diagnose this problem, and give you an accurate assessment of damage and cost estimate for repairs.
I have a 2006 Mazda 3 and the front bumper is damaged, how much would it cost to replace, paint, and install a new one? 2006 Mazda 3
ANSWER : Hello – unfortunately, this is not a service YourMechanic offers at this time. This task is best handled by a collision repair estimator at a reputable paint and body shop. S/he is trained to evaluate visible and not-so-visible damage, and the costs to repair. Contact a reputable paint and body shop in your area for an estimate and repair.
I don’t know how to order a front bumper because it requires a lot of different things aside from just the actual bumper 2008 Acura TSX
ANSWER : Hello – this task is best handled by a collision repair estimator at a reputable paint and body shop. S/he is trained to evaluate visible and not-so-visible damage, and the costs to repair. Contact a reputable paint and body shop in your area for an estimate and repair.
My car stalls at slow speeds (bumper to bumper).
ANSWER : Hello there, a few faults could cause the vehicle to stall at low speeds. The most common faults would be with the cooling fan, MAF sensor, power brake booster, vacuum leak, fuel pump, or ignition coil. I’d suggest getting help from a qualified technician, such as one from YourMechanic, who will be able to diagnose your stalling issue and perform any repairs required.
i20 car front bumper damaged.
ANSWER : I would recommend having a body shop first quote the needed repairs to the front bumper and underneath panels. It may just need to be reattached or there may be problems with the bumper cover and it will need to be replaced. If a new one is needed then it would also need to be painted to match your car color.
How much should it cost to replace front bumper
ANSWER : Hi there. Unfortunately, our mobile mechanics do not provide body work, which replacing a bumper falls into that category. It might be better for you to contact a local body shop to install your bumper, and check other front end components that might also be damaged.
