Accidentally ran over a curb - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

Wheties · 11-22-2011, 07:17 PM

I was leaving the movies a few hours ago, in the pouring rain and dark, and I accidentally ran over a curb on my way out of the lot. My tires cleared the other side, but my car bottomed out on the curb, so I stopped. I decided to back up, rather than keep going, hoping I would do less damage. It made all kinds of horrible noises backing over the curb again, as things were scraping on the undercarriage. I did a quick visual inspection, to make sure I didn't pop a tire or have any fluids leaking, and all seemed well. I pulled into my driveway about 45 mins later and put the car into park, only to hear these loud rumbling growls. I shifted through the gears (automatic trans) and heard the same growling except in neutral, where it would disappear for a few seconds before coming back. The sound would go away once I gave the car a little gas but came back once idling again. As I can't check the car in the dark and rain, I have to wait until tomorrow, but I'd like some help as to where to start.

My thoughts are on, pinched/broken exhaust pipe, or something is about to go terribly wrong with the trans. Oil and trans fluid levels seem to be fine from what I could see in the dark.

1999 Toyota Camry V6 1MZ-FE 204,000 miles

Thanks so much!

***Silent Runner*** · 11-22-2011, 08:50 PM

Hard to say what might have got banged or pinched and cause problems in the long run, but most likely you just banged up and bent the exhaust system.(maybe some undercarrage structure) The exhaust system seems to hang down pretty low on 3rd and 4th Gen Camry's, most other stuff is pretty well protected and tucked up under the cars. A bent up exhaust system will definitely make the noises you describe, but I'd have a shop put it up on a hoist and have a close look for any other possible damage, ASAP.

Yuko · 11-22-2011, 11:37 PM

I would check all the heat shields and pipes to find what's loose. I jumped a curb over a year ago in the rain but luckily, there was no damage other than some scratches on the sub-frame. I do agree that the Gen 3, 4 and even the 5 Camry's exhaust hangs too low.