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Are wide speed humps high enough to cause damage?

Discussion in 'Gen 4 Prius Main Forum' started by EnergyCar, Oct 1, 2023.

  1. EnergyCar

    EnergyCar New Member

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    I recently drove over a speed hump at about 5mph and made a slight turn to the left as I touched the hump. I thought I heard a scrapping sound. When I got home I went underneath the car with my flash light and didn’t see anything bad other than the normal wear and tear. I almost drove back to the location to see if it was possible for the undercarriage to hit the speed bump. Instead, I’m planning to just have a mechanic take a look and see if there is any damage. Has anyone had a similar experience?
     
    #1 EnergyCar, Oct 1, 2023
  2. Pulse07

    Pulse07 Active Member

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    Other then scrapping, there's nothing you need to worry about. The bottom is covered with plastic for aerodynamic, even so, the plastic gets scratched. The sound you hear is probably the suspension dropping down (you said you made a left on the speed bump, in my head I imagine one wheel on the speed bump and other on the street)
     
    #2 Pulse07, Oct 2, 2023
  3. Pulse07

    Pulse07 Active Member

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    Other then scrapping, there's nothing you need to worry about. The bottom is covered with plastic for aerodynamic, even so, the plastic gets scratched. The sound you hear is probably the suspension dropping down (you said you made a left on the speed bump, in my head I imagine one wheel on the speed bump and other on the street)
     
    #3 Pulse07, Oct 2, 2023
  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    it could just be the very front plastic scraped. i get the a lot at parking curbs and sidewalks
     
    #4 bisco, Oct 2, 2023
  5. EnergyCar

    EnergyCar New Member

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    I see. Though I think I made my turn after both wheels made contact with the speed bump. However if it were one wheel on the speed bump and one wheel on the street, would be enough for the undercarriage to make contact with the bump?

    I feel like going out there to re-create it however, I’m afraid that I actually might hit the bump if I didn’t already. lol
     
    #5 EnergyCar, Oct 2, 2023
  6. EnergyCar

    EnergyCar New Member

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    I’m going to check the front and see if it was indeed that area that was affected. I’ll update you.
     
    #6 EnergyCar, Oct 2, 2023
    bisco likes this.
  7. Doug McC

    Doug McC Senior Member

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    There are a couple of speed bumps near us that are higher than normal and longer (as compared to “wider” being across the road) and I can scrape with my ‘22 Nightshade Edition at any speed over a crawl.
     
    #7 Doug McC, Oct 2, 2023
  8. Drakxyfly

    Drakxyfly Junior Member

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    I'm lowered on RSR springs i can slightly scrape the rear plastic that hangs down by the rear wheels going into my garage if I don't pull in on an angle.
     
    #8 Drakxyfly, Oct 2, 2023
  9. EnergyCar

    EnergyCar New Member

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    @bisco

    Update: There are scrapes on the plastic firewall underneath at the front of the car, however I’m not sure if it was caused by the previous owner. I’m adding a photo. Also, I had the following work completed:
    • Suspension (damage / leaks / worn components)
    • Axle hub & bearings (damage / leaks / noise)
    • Drive / CV shaft (damage / leaks / boots)
    • Propeller / driveshaft (damage / leaks / U-joints)

      They said everything looked intact, no leaks, breaks or cracks, etc. so far as they could tell, everything was in tip top shape. Now, I’m dealing with a bigger issue I posted in the Care and Maintenance forum.

    • Thanks.
     

    Attached Files:

    #9 EnergyCar, Oct 3, 2023
    bisco likes this.
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