ran over tire shred, now missing wheel center cap

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by rocketrob, Apr 1, 2012.

  1. rocketrob

    rocketrob Member

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    I'm bummed. A few nights ago I ran over a big semi tractor-trailer blown out tire shred laying in the freeway. Traffic had slowed to ~40mph but I didn't see it in time to react. It hit with a loud WHAM and shook me and my Prius up. Thankfully I didn't blow my own tires and the car drives fine. I'll get her up on a lift this week to check for any damage on the underside.

    Besides being annoyed by the whole incident (I hate semis), I noticed today that my rear passenger wheel is now missing the chrome center wheel cap / medallion thing.

    Kind of a noob question here.. so if I hit hard enough to knock that thing out, what kind of damage should I look for? Can the rim get bent out of shape? Anything to check in the suspension?

    Thanks!
     
    #1 rocketrob, Apr 1, 2012
  2. cnschult

    cnschult Active Member

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    You did not run over a blown tire, it was a retread that had separated from the tire.
    Unfortunately re-tread separations on the highway are just a fact of life, most states outlaw them for passenger cars but most big cities have underworld shops that will do them and they are legal for semi trucks.

    If you have your 65 series 15" tires, there should be enough play in them to absorb a lot of the impact, that's at 35psi but if you've filled them to 45psi or have larger low-profile tires that's a different story. You should be fine, but there was that CSI episode last year where a truck re-tread took a guy's head off . . .
     
    #2 cnschult, Apr 2, 2012
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  3. Rokeby

    Rokeby Member

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    A lot of the plastic trim pieces around the perimeter of the car and in the
    wheel wells are held in place with plastic fasteners/clips. A gentile tug
    on the various parts should reveal any breakage.

    As you drive, should you notice any tendency for the car to pull to one
    side or an unexpected drop in MPGs, a 4-wheel alignment would be in
    order. (Get written values for both before and after readings. All too
    often, getting the car back to spec has been a contentious issue.) If the
    rear axle has been whacked out of line, the correction typically requires
    some special-order shims.

    Check to see if any wheel balancing weights have been dislodged.
    If so, there would probably some of the sticky tape left behind.
    Just to be sure, you should consider having the wheel that lost its
    center cap rebalanced and checked for trueness. Most often it
    is recommended that a bent rim be replaced, not straightened.
     
    #3 Rokeby, Apr 2, 2012
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  4. rocketrob

    rocketrob Member

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    Thanks for the tips guys. I'm taking the car over to my mechanic later today to check the wheel for trueness/balance and to have a look underneath for any other issues.

    And thanks for the education on retreaded tires vs. "blow outs". They sure are a nuisance!

    I guess it could have been a lot worse! ;)
     
    #4 rocketrob, Apr 2, 2012
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