A_redstone Posted August 31, 2014 Share Posted August 31, 2014 Hi I have done a search on this matter but came up empty ! Obviously we all try and avoid speed bumps , however what I want to know is if I am damaging my car in anyway....... I go over the Tarmac speed bump with great care and caution very slowly, I only just about manage to keep it ticking over , but I do end up grinding the bottom of the dry sump engine on the bump no matter how I do it ...... However I do end up getting "grounded" on the bump ...... Am I doing any damage ? Thanks Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Jonathan Kay Posted August 31, 2014 Member Share Posted August 31, 2014 What's your ground clearance? Can you post a photo of the bit that makes contact? Jonathan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A_redstone Posted August 31, 2014 Author Share Posted August 31, 2014 Hello I am not sure on what the clearance is , I could go and measure it..... The bit that grinds is the bottom of the engine, not bolts or anything like that , it's just metal But you can tell it does lift the engine up a little when going over it..... I will see if I can take a pic when I get it out of garage and email it to you Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Whitley Posted August 31, 2014 Share Posted August 31, 2014 There is just one bump on the road from my house slightly higher than the rest which I have ground my (wet) sump on almost every day for the last 10+ years. No damage beyond scratches in the ali and to my temper Catching a cat's-eye at 60+ was a different matter (I had just changed to CR500s which reduced my already marginal ground clearance). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roadru77er Posted August 31, 2014 Share Posted August 31, 2014 I believe the test is to roll a Coke (Other beverages are available 😬)can under the sump. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stationary M25 Traveller Posted August 31, 2014 Share Posted August 31, 2014 Usually on full width speed bumps, the front of the sump rises as the front wheels go over it. Normally (wet sump anyway), the point most at risk is the bellhousing as it is midway between front and rear wheels. If it lifts the engine, it is stretching the rubber in the engine mounts every time. Edited by - SM25T on 31 Aug 2014 08:38:18 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shn7 Posted August 31, 2014 Share Posted August 31, 2014 And to measure with usual (driver/passenger) load. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A_redstone Posted August 31, 2014 Author Share Posted August 31, 2014 Ain't no coke can going under my car ! Pics available now , will have to email them, if you sit an iPhone 5 on its long length that won't fit either !! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Jonathan Kay Posted August 31, 2014 Member Share Posted August 31, 2014 Put the photos on a server! If you go on grinding the sump then at some point a hole will appear and will need application of five pound notes. How are you going to detect that before it happens? Point about engine mounts made above. Similarly how are you going to check their condition? Jonathan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Jonathan Kay Posted August 31, 2014 Member Share Posted August 31, 2014 Andy's sump Jonathan Edited by - Jonathan Kay on 31 Aug 2014 09:19:55 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A_redstone Posted August 31, 2014 Author Share Posted August 31, 2014 Quoting Jonathan Kay: Jonathan For extra clarity, the 2 humps in question are on a private road, we are moving house in 4 weeks time and I have just discovered this issue having visited it in the seven ! So the road and bumps are maintained by the group of houses concerned so yes later down the line I could talk to the committee about modifications, but that does not help me now or the near future........ Thanks ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silverback Posted August 31, 2014 Share Posted August 31, 2014 Probably cheaper to make your own 'modifications' to the speed humps late one night than the cost of repairing the bellhousing I have caught the ali guard in front of the bellhousing - once at speed on a bumpy back road and another couple of times at snails pace going over stupidly officious speed bumps. Made me cringe every time but so far (touch wood), cosmetic damage only Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
revilla Posted August 31, 2014 Share Posted August 31, 2014 That does look way too low to me ... and I'm guessing that's with nobody sitting in it too? I think you need to have a good look at your ride height / supension setup before you catch it on something like the raised iron base of a cat's eye (don't laugh, been there, cost me a new sump and it was running higher than yours, you only need the road camber / crest of a bump / compression under braking to conspire against you once). I believe there is a member on here who recently lost his whole car as a writeoff after a very low speed impact with the sump bent the chassis ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted August 31, 2014 Share Posted August 31, 2014 I am expecting someone to shoot me down in flames but here goes.... What about using a sump guard? [Writer cringes behind the settee] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Alston Posted August 31, 2014 Share Posted August 31, 2014 Surely the best answer is not to straddle the speed hump with the wheels but to ensure at least one pair drive over the highest part of the hump. This will lift the whole side of the car increasing the clearance under the engine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A_redstone Posted August 31, 2014 Author Share Posted August 31, 2014 What options do I have to increase ground clearance of the car ? It's not set that way deliberately by me, that's the way it was when I bought it. And it's does have cr500's on ! This does worry me, don't really want to sell the car to move house ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wag Posted August 31, 2014 Share Posted August 31, 2014 I find with some bumps, taking them at speed (20mph or so) is best. The car lifts after the front wheels hit and the low part is passed the bump before car comes down. Needs nerve the first time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris956 Posted August 31, 2014 Share Posted August 31, 2014 Just put 40psi in your tyres ! If I encounter a nasty looking speed bump I cross it diagonally. That way the front wheel that hits the bump first & lifts the front of the car before the sump passes by. That way the first thing on and off the speed bump is a wheel which should hopefully be keeping part of the car up in the air until you have crossed it entirely. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
revilla Posted August 31, 2014 Share Posted August 31, 2014 That does look way too low to me ... and I'm guessing that's with nobody sitting in it too? I think you need to have a good look at your ride height / supension setup before you catch it on something like the raised iron base of a cat's eye (don't laugh, been there, cost me a new sump and it was running higher than yours, you only need the road camber / crest of a bump / compression under braking to conspire against you once). I believe there is a member on here who recently lost his whole car as a writeoff after a very low speed impact with the sump bent the chassis ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
revilla Posted August 31, 2014 Share Posted August 31, 2014 Does it have adjustable spring platforms all round (pairs of aluminium collars on the springs against which the springs sit, allowing them to be wound up and down)? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silverback Posted August 31, 2014 Share Posted August 31, 2014 Quoting Jonathan Kay: Andy's sump Jonathan Edited by - Jonathan Kay on 31 Aug 2014 09:19:55 Doesn't look that much different (clearance) to mine... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nickh7 Posted August 31, 2014 Share Posted August 31, 2014 You can get a beer keg under mine 😬 you need it up here in Yorkshire . Best approach I find is at an angle if they are the ridge sort . On the longer platforms I find a little blip of the throttle just before the bump raises the front . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A_redstone Posted August 31, 2014 Author Share Posted August 31, 2014 Hello Ok I hope this link works, here is the car on a flat piece of Tarmac and a pic of the suspension set up....... here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A_redstone Posted August 31, 2014 Author Share Posted August 31, 2014 Quoting A_redstone: Hello Ok I hope this link works, here is the car on a flat piece of Tarmac and a pic of the suspension set up....... here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stationary M25 Traveller Posted August 31, 2014 Share Posted August 31, 2014 Too many http try here Edited by - SM25T on 31 Aug 2014 21:00:53 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now