Handy Tips From Car Experts to Drivers: Blogs, Ideas, Advice

Car Problems That Are Not Easily Seen After A Front End Collision

Even if you manage to come out of a collision with another car in one piece, your car may not. In fact, it is the car's front parts that are usually damaged before the impact gets to the driver. Low speed collisions in particular rarely cause harm to the driver. And while some damages are clearly visible after a head on collision, others are less pronounced; unless you make a careful inspection, you may fail to spot these less pronounced damages. They include:

1. A Camber That Is Out of Adjustment

While standing in front of your car, and using the centerline of your car as a reference point, you should be able to tell if the wheels have tilted outward or inward. This tilt is what is known as camber and occurs after a collision causes structural damages to a car. Camber is measured in degrees, and if it is out of adjustment, it may lead to uneven wear on the tires. There are two types of camber: positive and negative. Positive camber means that the top of your tires or wheels is slanting outward as viewed from the front of the car. Negative camber on the other hand means that the top of the wheel is slanting inward.

Due to these tilts, it implies that for a negative camber, the inner treads of the tire come into contact with the surface more than the outer tread. The case is of course the opposite for positive camber.

2. A Caster That Is Out Of Adjustment

As you stand at the side of your car, you should be able to tell if there is a tilt in the car's steering axis. This tilt, which is also measured in degrees, is what is known as caster. And just like camber, there is also a positive and a negative caster angle. If the top of your steering knuckles are tilting towards the rear of your car, then you can say that you have a positive caster. A positive caster aids in keeping the wheels of your car in a straight line while you are driving. A steering knuckle is that structure that contains the wheel hub and also holds the front wheel on the car.

If the knuckles are tilting towards the front, then you have a negative caster. Negative caster produces a less directional stability and due to this effect, the wheels of your car may start to run in the direction of road imperfections such as potholes and ruts.

But you shouldn't fret if you experience any of these signs as a car mechanic can easily re-adjust these angles back to normal and repair your vehicle.