Hit Dip Today in 2004 Civic, Damage? Please Help

First I must admit that I don't know very much about vehicles at all.

I drive a 2004 Civic LX in Lexington, KY. Today on my way to Man o War
on Tates Creek I hit a big dip. I couldn't see it until I was upon it,
they are resurfacing the road (I forgot all about this b/c I usually do
not go this way). My speed at the time was about 45 to 50 miles per
hour and the dip was about an inch to an inch and a half deep.

I didn't notice any damage to the car in the way that it handled, or
any other way that I could notice. The car drives fine, just like
before the dip. What I was wondering is, do you think that anything is
damaged? Should I take it in for an inspection (it is still under
warranty if this helps).

Thanks in Advance

 

I also just wanted to add that I didn't hear any disturbing, loud,
cracking, etc noise when I went over the dip. As I said before if you
didn't feel the car drop you would have never known about it.

 

Seems to me from all you describe the biggest concern would
be a suspension component bending, or the alignment being
thrown off. If it's driving okay, I would not worry about
it. If it's never had an alignment, you can take it to a
shop, tell them you hit a bad dip, and ask them to check for
damaged steering/suspension components. They should do this
anyway, but if you explain this dip you hit, then they may
be particularly vigilant.

My 91 Civic has hit a lot of bad bumps in 15 years. Nothing
serious has resulted from it, except maybe the alignment is
a little off.

 

Thank you, that is what I was hoping. I will ask them to inspect it
the next time that I go in. BTW if it is a suspension component
bending, which sounds like REALLY bad news, is it a big deal to
replace/repair?

 

Hell, here in California they don't fix freeways for anything that tiny.
It has to be at least two inches.

 

Really this is just common sense: The better the car drives
right now, the less expensive any needed repair will be
(knock on wood). We're talking steel bending here, IF it
bent. If it was really bad, you'd notice.

Any repairs that are needed can vary a lot in price. E.g. if
somehow the frame bent (and I'm definitely not saying that;
I'm just supposing), then that can get expensive. If a wheel
rim or control arm was bent, or a ball joint came loose, or
a coil spring cracked, then I would reckon we're talking on
the order of $200 to replace/repair any of those, and
another $80 for an alignment check. On the order.

But with things like these, you're going to start hearing
noises or sensing it in the steering and handling.

One step at a time. One really can't say anything right now.
If from all you felt and saw you are worried, then you could
certainly explain exactly what happened to a trusted
mechanic, and ask them to check the suspension and anything
else he can think of for, say, $15 or so (or ask how much to
do a suspension/underbody check). They'll put the car on a
lift and will know, in most cases, exactly what to check. If
anything is amiss, ask them to point it out to you. Often
you can confirm what's amiss, because the opposite side will
look different.

You could also drive the car in a parking lot, perform
turns, hit the brakes hard and soft and take note of
anything odd, to help alleviate your concern. Keep an eye
peeled for fluids on the ground underneath the car where
it's parked, too.

I say these things not to alarm you, but to point out you
have some control over the situation. It's not all a black
box. Go ahead and use a bit of your own good judgment here,
or start building more experience by observing the condition
of the car a bit more closely.

Updates welcome, though I'm thinking it's quite possible
there will be nothing new to report.

 

I would also inspect the tires and wheels very carefully. If your rims are
not dented, you're most likely OK? I expect your tires took the biggest
part of the impact. Also check your tire pressure to make sure nothing is
amiss.

 

I knew a guy in CA who hit a dip and 3days later, he opened his garage
door to go to work and there was a big crease from left to right on the
roof! Looks like a bent frame could be a result.....?

 

I knew a guy in CA who hit a dip and 3days later, he opened his garage
door to go to work and there was a big crease from left to right on the
roof! Looks like a bent frame could be a result.....?