Hello - I took my car to a "trusted" hand car wash yesterday - it was recommended to me by a friend that has very nice cars and frequents the shop. Needless to say, it wasn't a great wash (I've never found a car wash that takes the time to do things properly). Unfortunately, in winter in IL, I can't wash the car outside myself.

Anyways, the attendant took a large wood and bristle wheel brush to my wheels and with a lot of speed and force scrubbed the wheels and the insides of the wheels (inside of the spokes in the space between the rotors and wheel). He didn't do any damage to the wheels, but I just noticed the lack of clearance in the back wheels - the suspension linkages are complex and close to the inside of the rear wheels. Could a wheel brush hitting these linkages cause any damage or knock the alignment out of spec (the car appears to be drifting now)?

I also checked to see if any wheel weights were dislodged, but they all appear to be in place (and I'm not noticing any balancing issues).

Thanks

 

very unlikely indeed IMO

 

Did he apply a lot of tire dressing? If it got all over the contact area of the tires, it can make them feel like slicks for a while.

 

good point

 

I assume you didn't leave the car? You waited?

A long shot a brush would do anything but scratch your wheels. Even these hand wash places suck. They use the same wash mits and brushes car after car. The ONLY person who washes my 991 is myself. A 3hr job. Although, my time is too valuable and not for hire!

 

I don't think so.

In the future talk to Ivan at Lustr in Schaumburg if you want winter hand-wash car washes in the Chicago area. 773-715-4198

 

Pfffft. We know a guy that can bang this out in less than 15 minutes. If you want wax, add another 7.

 

when you say "hand wash" is it 100% hand wash ... or did it go thru an automatic system with a guide rail?

 

I agree.

Ivan will do washes at his place. Paint correction is his main gig. Highly recommended.

 

I agree with the consensus, and I don't thing the amount of force scrubbing the wheels with a wooden bristle brush would misalign your tracking. I provided a photo to illustrate how well P-Cars are put together. Top pic is front and bottom is rear suspension.

 

I use the boars head long wheel cleaning brush from griots and when washing the barrels of the rear wheels I have knocked into the part of the suspension you are talking about many times ... That part of the suspension is solid as a rock I cannot imagine a person having the strength to possibly budge that part unless the rear wheel was removed and they used a hammer to it.

It is seriously solid ... If anything I would think the car washer hurt himself more for banging into it then the car.

 

The factory recommends getting your 991 realigned every 10 car washes.

 

I used to think this until I learned about Optimum No Rinse on this forum. Amazing stuff that enables you to clean your car without leaving your garage.

 

Your suspension is intended to absorb far more force than a guy wailing around a wooden wheel brush.

the car is fine.

 

lol oh boy