Uh-Oh (Scratch)

[JCL12]

Story: While driving over a rather large speed bump, I was moving maringally faster than normal. I hear a crunching noise (DO'h). Under my car, it appears I have scratched up one of the low-hanging steel bars near the rear axle. Not a big issue since I can't see it without getting on my hands and knees, but will this spot be highly prone to corrosion? (roads = very salted in upstate NY)

[Paul]

Be more worried about it being bent. I'd have it looked at.

[JCL12]

With visual inspection, nothing seems to be bent. I drove the car a bunch afterwards and noticed no differences.

Is this going to pose a corrosion problems?

Also - worst case (pretend something is bent), what is the typical cost of a fix?

[Adam]

If you are worried about rust, you could treat the area with a rust preventative. You could find those at auto-parts/hardware stores. What exactly hit on the underside of the car? I believe many suspension bits like the control arms are actually aluminum so rust may not be an issue anyway.

[JCL12]

Originally Posted by Adam

If you are worried about rust, you could treat the area with a rust preventative. You could find those at auto-parts/hardware stores. What exactly hit on the underside of the car? I believe many suspension bits like the control arms are actually aluminum so rust may not be an issue anyway.

Adam,

What I scratched was a low (probably the lowest) clearance part of the car. It looked like a tubular metal bar that attached itself near both of the rear wheels. It is the part with the white "made in germany" sticker. Do you know what part I am attempting to describe is?

Also, do you advise that next time I get the oil changed or new tires, I have them spray that area?

Thanks for the advice!

[djomlas]

looks like you scratched your sway bar.
even if oyu wanted to replace the whole part its not that expencive