Hello everyone.

I recently went to a store, parked in a parking space, and happily went on my way. When I came out of the store, I proceeded to turn my car on, place it in 1st and pull forward to find out that THERE WAS A STUPID CONCRETE BLOCK at the top of the parking spot. I managed to get the car propped up on the concrete block. Since the car is rear wheel drive, I was able to continue forward and keep moving on my merry way.

Has anyone else done something stupid like this? Should I be totally freaked out? Because it seems as if my car's underside could be totally scrapped up, or even a pipe or something dislodged from its intended position.

I'm no mechanic, and I dont want to take the car in to ask anyone "how much money do you want to fix a problem that I dont know exists". Im sure that they would just make something up to charge me.

Long story short, has anyone else done this and are there things that I should look out for? Armed with this information, I can be a bit more confident with going to a mechanic to have them look at it. Thanks

 

Ummm, maybe reversing would have been a better idea...? Regardless, how is the car running? Any fluid on the ground? Cosmetic damage?

 

It seems to be running good...I have been paying particular attention to the way it handles and feels...nothing seems to be off. However, I do notice sometimes that when I come to a complete stop, say at a red light, i notice a curious grind sound that is somehow related to the engine/transmission/clutch/something_down_there. I cant help but to think that it may have been caused by the mishap, but I am not really sure.

THe sound that I am referring to stops whenever I press the break. It goes something like this..:

1. Apply break

2. Come to complete stop

3. release break to chill out and rest my foot for a sec

4. Grinding sound comes from under the dashboard (I guess, not really sure)

5. Step on break again sound goes away.


Also, if i dont step on the break, the sound will eventually stop in a few seconds. Im not sure what going on down there, but I would like to hear of someone else experience with such a blunder.

 

I was up close and personal with the belly of my car this past weekend. I don't think you would have been able to damage anything by driving over a concrete block. What's intersting is that when you release the brake you hear this noise, but then when you apply pressure to the brake pedal it goes away.

 

I would get it on a lift and have it checked out.

The noise you describe sounds brake related. Maybe not caused by jumping a curb.

It is worth a couple of bucks just to see what may have happened.

 

True, I get it lifted and at least look at it. The only thing that worries me is the potential for the mechanic to swindle me into thinking that something majorly wrong. I will at least pay the money for him to lift it and Ill take a look along with him/her for visible scratched/nicks/dings. Thanks for the help everyone!

 

Take it to a mechanic but don't tell him what happened. Just request an under chassis inspection for a peace of mind check up. Anything untoward will become obvious from a quick inspection.

 

I'd tell the mechanic (and my crossfireforum buddys) that the wife did it.

Like when my wife messed up the connector plate that sits on top of the transmissions valve body.
Don't know if I'll be able to forgive her for that one!!!!

 

What about the time she put the valve cover gaskets on backwards on the z28

 

1. You let your wife DRIVE THE CROSSFIRE ? I WONT LET MINE SIT BEHIND THE WHEEL TO SEE HOW IT FITS, LET ALONE, DRIVE IT

 

I didn't say I'd let her drive it!

But I'll let her take the blame for when I, I mean she goofs up while SHE is working on the car!!

 

When did they start putting wheelstops in parking lots.

I thought women only try to drive over them.

 

hcarter
ROFL ya just can't trust the SWMBO (She Who Must Be Obeyed and pronounced SwimBo) anymore, can you?

 

I cant imagine a woman letting me call her a swim-bo.... without getting a whack in the head!

 

That's cuz yer doin' it wrong Mike.

 

Funny. I don't let the hubby drive mine. He has no respect for cars, he doesn't even wash his - let alone wax it or change the filters and wipers regularly. Heck, I usually have to tell him when his car needs an alignment or something is up with the tires.

 

I did that in the mid-80's. I came out of a guitar store and looked at the next space over and there wasn't a concrete do-dad there so I stepped on the gas. Bad move. The front of the car popped up in the air and slammed down with a huge "Krunch". I'm sure it hosed something but never had it checked out. It was a 85 Ford EXP (a 2-seat Escort with a sports car body).
If it were to happen today, I would totally scope it out.

 

When you take it in for an under carriage inspection there should be only a flat fee for inspection, most places charge a 1/2 hour or an hour, times their flat rate, which is around $30.00 for a 1/2, to $150.00 for an hour, depending on the facility, and there are places that will do it for free. You may want to consider claiming any damages on your car insurance depending on your policy. Also you could go to Jiffy lube, get your oil change and look under the car yourself, and then ask some questions about things your not sure of, { the stuff that looks like it was damaged }

 

NEVER EVER go to Jiffy "I can't even do the thing I was paid to do right" Lube. I wouldn't even take my '96 Buick there when I had it.

 

Sounds very similar to my wife which is why she doesn't drive mine.

Is your hubby interested in wife swap?