Hey guys...It's my first post here. I just got my Cobalt a few weeks ago, and I'm already here with a question...Only, it's not under the circumstances I would have wanted.

Yesterday, I was coming home from my girlfriend's house and it had just snowed...Long story short, the driver's side "bumped" into a small curb (As in, less than 5 mph). The only "damage" is that the a small part of the lip of the front driver-side wheel is bent over the plastic cap.

I didn't notice until today that there is now a vibration in the steering wheel and in the clutch/throttle pedals, but it's mostly in the steering wheel. I only notice the vibrations when I'm going 45+, it's not really there if I'm going slower. My question is, what could I have done that is causing the vibrations? (They're not subtle, by any means) The only thing I could think of is that I might've tossed it out of alignment somewhat...what do you guys think?

Thanks!

 

check the inside of your wheels for snow...it can throw off the balance quite a bit

 

Did you check to see if there is any snow/ice build up in your wheel? I plowed into some snow and didn't notice the vibration until higher speeds. It was just build up from hitting the snow.


Edit: Beat me to it.

 

Wow...Thanks for the quick replies!!! I did actually think of that earlier when I came home and I knocked some ice/snow off the wheel well, etc (Both front and back), so we'll see if that helps tomorrow morning. I'm hoping I didn't do any more damage than bending the lip...The front wheel is the only one with any damage anyways...

As for fixing the wheel, can I grab a stock rim from a dealer, or is there somewhere else that I could buy one cheaper?

Thanks again!

 

which model cobalt do you have? anyway check the classifieds section here. there are usually a couple people selling theirs for cheap

 

I've got the LS model. I grabbed it for a winter driver/college car, since it was cheap with the Auto show bonus...I'll check out the classified section tomorrow...Thanks for the advice guys! I'll hop on after school tomorrow and let everyone know how it goes.

 

Wait, do you have rims or steelies? Because if you have steelies it sounds like all you need to get is a new plastic cover.

 

I'm thinking that I have steelies...Since you mentioned a plastic cover (Silver plastic?). Part of the wheel is bent around the plastic piece though, so that's why I thought I'd need a new wheel instead of just the plastic piece. Think just a new plastic cover would work? I'll get a picture tomorrow as well, so that'll help.

 

If you bent the rim it is probably out of round a little. Take it to a tire shop and have them balance it again to compensate. I had a rim like that on my old cavalier and they were able to balance it out.

 

Well, it turns out my dad was planning on surprising me with a new set of rims (Actual ones ) for my birthday...I just saw the Ebay order on the counter. I guess I'll see if it's actually out of balance, or if the amount of snow build-up was the problem today...Do you think it could be anything else besides those two things? Anything that would require more than changing wheels?

Well, I drove it again this morning and it is the wheel, as I cleared all the ice and snow from the wheel well and the vibrations were just as bad (If not worse, but it's probably my imagination)...Guess I'll have to wait until the other wheels get here and see if that fixes things.

 

Well in my experience a bent/unbalanced rim or a tire with a broken belt will cause this vibration. I doubt the tire is damaged so it has got to be the rim is bent. A tire shop would be able to tell you exactly whats wrong.

Your car is pretty tough so I wouldn't worry too much. It is possible you messed up the alignment too but that would make the car pull to one side or the steering wheel would be a little off center. Not a vibration.

 

I drove 50-60 miles today, and it's definitely a vibration in the steering wheel/clutch/throttle. I did let the wheel go to see if it drifted and it didn't, so I think I lucked out there. I guess I'm getting the wheels tomorrow, I'll report back, hopefully with good news

 

hopefully the rims fixes the issue,
but hitting a curb can do nasty things to control arms....rods....steering.....

Hopefully not

 

Yeah it does . Remember that one guy's lower control arm that looked like a U . That bent way beyond what i thought it would without breaking.