Hit pothole - 2 damaged original wheels on NB 1998 - advice?

[CoachOz]

I did three rims on my NB and replaced them. Then went up to a higher profile tyre and two years later no more bent or cracked rims even though my local roads are still crap.

[aSimpleLife]

Can I ask what profile you had and what you changed to?

[CoachOz]

It was a couple of years ago, but I'm pretty sure I went to 55 /205 / 15. Here is the link to my original thread about the wheels: http://mx5cartalk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=50119

[hks_kansei]

The car still doesn't feel the same - maybe just my imagination - while it still drives straight - it's feels like it now wants to wander at the front if you slightly move the steering wheel - could that be front shocker damage?
I figure from what I've read here it's a good investment to have it looked at including an alignment by someone who really knows these cars;
I have been searching the forum for recommendations and have found the following;
WideTread here in Ferntree Gully (Melbourne Vic) are 10 minutes walk from my house...but I used them recently for tyres on my van and wasn't happy with them......it is so convenient though.

Slow reply, but to answer your questions re: feeling odd, it's possible that the shock was damaged, but I would put money on the alignment having been knocked out.

The alignment of camber and caster is set via a pair of eccentric bolts on the lower control arm, a big enough hit can jar them and shif the alignment a little. Since you managed to bend two wheels I'd say it was probably a big enough hit.

I've used Widetread quite a few times before and thought they were quite good. (tyre purchase, and alignment)

Granted, I've not used any other places for alignment, and tyres I just go for whoever has what I want in stock (or price I want to pay)



Also, if you want 4 more spare wheels let me know, I'm going to be listing a set soonish.

[aSimpleLife]

Also, if you want 4 more spare wheels let me know, I'm going to be listing a set soonish.

Thanks for letting me know, but I am hoping the 4 spares I have (although 2 are still bent will last me a while yet

You are spot on about the wheel alignment being the issue - beat me to posting about it - I was going to wait until I took it for a decent drive before posting - but the short trip I did felt much better.
Had it checked out just a day ago by TechSport in Bayswater and they said the alignment was the only problem.
They charged $88 for the wheel alignment, gave me the report, and explained everything they did, even offered to drop me off and pick me up.
I let them decide the settings for road use.
I was very happy with the service and the small price premium over a wheel balance from the tyre supplier.

So I was driving home pretty happy I'd got it back to where it was before the pothole (even though I'm over $400 out of pocket), with my nice new tyres, decided to give it a wash, then discovered someone has run into the back of it. I did buy it with a smallish crease on the rear boot lid. It's now become a much bigger dent with damage also to the panel underneath and the bumper. I don't know when it happened. Funny but about a week ago I thought I noticed something in the dark but just passed it off as being the existing dent (car sits in the garage under a cover most of the time so I don't get to see it much). I almost never leave the car parked anywhere so I can't believe my luck. Must have been walking under ladders or something I reckon it was the one time I parked it at the local pool on my way to get the tyres changed over. Looks like a 4wd hit. Oh well, I can see what the next project is. Only bright side is that while a very original low mileage vehicle, there were some small dents front and back. Better start checking the body work threads now

[93_Clubman]

They charged $88 for the wheel alignment

That's a fairly standard price for the MX5 as it requires wheel alignment front & rear, but as noted it can make for a much more enjoyable drive.