Checking for damage after massive pothole bump

[creedR56]

Hi all,

I was driving around in my mini yesterday for the first time since coming back from Christmas hols and was carefully avoiding every pothole but it was the biggest one that caught me by surprise - it was dark and i just didnt see it. Bounced both wheels on the driver's side through it.

There was an almighty whack as both wheels went through it (same sound for both). I'm on run flats so the sound is pretty nasty whenever I hit any kind of bump but this was really something! To be honest if i'd been on non-run flats I'm pretty sure that i would have lost both wheels but the reinforced sidewalls might have saved me.

I've checked the exterior of the tyres and wheels and can't see any damage and the tyre pressure sensors are fine so I'm hoping the run flats just exaggerated the noise and feel of the impact but what can I do to be sure, should I take it to a garage to have it lifted up to check out the suspension etc?

It was on a busy road so no chance I can get a picture of the pothole.

Thanks in advance.

[mab01uk]

This website below has some useful advice if you find any damage..........might be worth getting your local MOT garage to get it up on the ramps to double check but Mini's are fairly tough..............last pothole I hit in the dark stopped the CD player in its tracks!
Potholes.co.uk - Home Page

[creedR56]

I'm in Moscow so zero chance of a council payout here unfortunately :-/ I drove approx 50km today and it feels fine, no pull on the steering either way so I guess the tracking is fine and no funny noises or unusual handling. Fingers crossed all is OK, might get it up on a ramp tomorrow to take a look tho to be sure.

[RSchleder]

I'd lift the hood (bonnet) and check the top of each shock tower. I've read that hitting bad pot holes with run-flats can mushroom the top flat area of the shock tower. Look at both and be sure the side that hit the hole looks exactly like the one on the other side---FLAT on TOP!!!!

[creedR56]

Thanks, checked that - all looks fine.