Gering

While I was driving in to work on Friday, I went to merge from the Hardy Toll Rd on to 610 West Loop "Houston, Texas" and ran over a 4X4 block of wood about 8" long. I tried to miss it, but since it was about 4:50 PM it was peak traffic and I had no were to go but straight. Here are the pictures of the damage. The passenger front wheel took most of the trauma.

After hitting the block of wood, the car still drove straight and everything seemed O.K, so I kept on going to work, parked, and took some pictures. The wheels are ZR1 reproduction & the tires are the Firestone Firehawk Wide Oval RFT. The tire has not lost any air pressure so far. I will order a new wheel on Monday and have them check out the front shock as well as the rest of the suspension & alignment.

ProfessorDeath

Ouch! I hit a 4X4 block of wood in my daily driver, blew out both driver side tires and trashed my front wheel. It was dark and I was coming around a blind curve. Bummer man, hope you can get it fixed soon.

truckplay

it's hard to believe that a block of wood could do that. I wonder how Reproduction wheels pass DOT standards.

RocketDawg

Good grief! That is some major damage. Insurance should take care of you though, minus your deductible. I don't see how the tire is holding any air at all.

A couple of weeks ago as we were getting up to speed on the freeway (about 70 mph), the dually truck in front of me hit what appeared to be a 12 inch square 2x12. It came flying right at my windshield in about 3 pieces. Luckily didn't hit the windshield, but one piece hit the passenger side mirror, and another skipped off the driver's side front fender. I can buff out the fender, but the mirror is scratched and will need a Dr. Colorchip treatment, or something similar. I'm lucky it didn't come in the car and maim or even kill me.

RocketDawg

Looks like a cast wheel and it just broke. Hitting the wood block is a lot of force, but I don't think our OEM wheels would break like that. I'm pretty sure they're forged.

zero11

Sorry to see that kind of damage, but sometimes there's not much you can do in traffic.I would also have them check the tire bead and the belts to see if their damaged,it's possible,good luck.

SUB VETTE

Careful with filing an insurance claim. I hit a curb at about 35 mph in a past car and blew the tire and bent the wheel, just like yours. Filed a claim without realizing it would be considered a collision, rather than a comprehensive event. Result: premium went up for three years and the increased premiums total was much more than paid out for the new wheel and tire.

Gering

Thanks for the info Sir! I plan to pay out of pocket.

dvilin

Not a pretty sight.

08 ATOMIC-Z

When you file your clame be sure and tell them the wood was moving. It makes a difference. If it is just sitting in the road and you hit it its a collision if it is moving its comprehensive. Just as if it was an animal or a road gator.

Gering

Thanks for the info, I did not know that.

Rich Mickol

I'd say you got real lucky my friend. Good luck with the repair.

Gering

Yes Sir, it could have been a lot worse indeed.

AORoads

Pete, I'm glad you are ok! Too bad for the wheel and it might have done some damage internally to the tire (but maybe not). Let's hope it's just the wheel and nothing else.

I guess one can say so much for all the criticism of repro wheels. Some hold up very well even with significant abuse from "road hazards."

Tell us how it all turns out and keep safe!

AORoads

Not all of them. Most of the wheels are cast. But the older style 5 spokes of '05-'08 were cast and took some incredible accidents and abuse that I've seen. And they were holding up to the point of almost ridiculous breakage but still running!

The operative words are "corporate specification." Any wheel can be built to a higher standard. Not all repro wheels are bad, or good. That includes forged or not. That also goes for stock wheels. But stock wheels are frequently held to a high standard because an automaker has to stand behind it (read: liability).

Gering

AORoads: Will do Sir, I am waiting till Monday morning, so that I can get the ball rolling on repairs.

JakeC6Racing

I'm surprised it still held air

ls1121

yup.....however...... when I hit a block of wood on the highway I85 South in NC, it blew out both tires on the passenger side and because this wood bounced off the back of a flat bed truck they said it was like hitting a deer...comprehensive. Just something to keep in mind.

Gering

Yes, those run flat tires are pretty tough.

smurfkiller

pete glad to hear it wasnt any worse.

unfortunately this is not uncommon here in houston. we have seen this with both OEM and replica wheels. honestly the replica wheels seem to be a little stronger. the last one i saw that ran over a 4x4 was factory wheels and it cracked the rim barrel 3/4 of the way around. almost broke the rim into two pieces.