Learning All About Auto Body Restoration
How Potholes Damage Cars
Cody Wade
As enjoyable as driving off-road may be, it can cause serious damage to your car. This is particularly true for everyday cars that aren't known for their off-roading capabilities. The damages can occur to different parts of the vehicle such as these four.
Body
If you are lucky, then you may come back from your off-road driving with nothing more serious than body damage. Dents and scratches can come from rocks or tree branches overhanging if you are really driving off-road.
They can also come from muddy droplets on your car that dry and damage the paint, especially if you don't wash it soon enough. All these mean that you either resort to driving with damaged paint (and welcome rust with open arms), or spare some money for dent repair and paint.
Suspension System
The suspension system connects the wheels and axles to the body of the car. The major components of the system include the springs, ball joints, struts, and shock absorbers. Rough driving, such as that you would expect on a ride in the wild, damages the suspension system. If this happens, the car may start bouncing erratically when every movement on the road affects its handling and steering.
Exhaust System
Vehicles that aren't meant for off road driving have their exhaust positioned in such a way that they can easily be damaged by objects on the road. Potholes, tree stumps, and rocks can easily cause mechanical damage to the exhaust. You should suspect that this is the case if you start hearing deep, rumbling sounds from the exhaust. If you continue driving in that state, then the exhaust damage may translate to reduced fuel efficiency and an increased emission of environmental pollutants.
Gas Tank
The same objects that can damage the exhaust system can also dent or even puncture your gas tank. This is because they are both located on the undercarriage of the car. While it would take a serious hit to puncture the tank, causing a dent doesn't require extreme force. The effect is that your tank may not hold as much gas as it did before the damage, which means the reading of the sensors may not be accurate.
Therefore, if you wish to go driving off-road, either get the right car for the terrain or be prepared for serious damages. In any case, it's advisable to contact your mechanic, such as Fox And Fox, both before and after your drive in the wild to limit the potential damage.
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Hi guys, the name is Phyllis. I'm here to teach you all there is to know about auto body repair. I grew up watching my dad strip down cars and restore them to new with beautiful coats of paint. Between coats, I loved to see how the sanding process removed imperfections and readied the surface for more paint. I grew to love the hobby enough to try it out for myself. My journey started with bicycle frames. The frames easily hung from the ceiling to make sanding and painting a breeze. Eventually, I took my sander and sprayer to the finish of my old car to restore its beauty. You can learn about the auto body repair and restoration process by visiting my site each week. I'll share information about traditional and modern techniques, tools and parts you can use to improve the finish on any vehicle. Thanks for visiting!