First post and I wasnt sure if I should put this under general or tech. Anyways here goes.

I was driving back from work last night doing about 55 mph (old highway and chatting with my GF). I noticed a white spot in the road up ahead and at first it appeared to be flat. As I got closer I noticed it was a rather large rock like object. At that time I had no time to swerve, so I ran over it and experienced the worst sound of this thing going under my Vette. I then immediately pulled over.

Long story short, after the police arrived and I had a case report, I started up the car and started driving. By the time I hit 45-50 mph, I noticed something was off. It almost felt like my left tires/wheel was out of alignment.

This is morning I got a better look under the car and saw the attached photos. I texted my friend and he said it looked like the cross member? And whatever is in the middle has a nice slash through it. How concerned should I be? My friend didn’t think that was too concerning. I did have a recent quote for a wheel hub assembly that needed to be replaced. I’m guessing collision could have made that worse? I’m not noticing leaks. Any comments or thoughts would be appreciated.

Oh oh and lastly the object was about 1.5 feet by 1.5 feet piece of concrete from a bridge (fallen in the road). A guy behind me nailed it and lost his tire and just kept on going with sparks flying down the street. I guess he didn’t wanna chat with the police who were coming.

Cross member?

 

Another picture

 

That’s the brace/crossmember that supports the floorboard and the weight of the seat. It looks like the welds aren’t broken, so I’d say you’re okay. Make sure the floor board isn’t cracked or anything because it looks like that took a good smack as well.

If you haven’t already, I’d get the car up on a lift and make sure it didn’t contact anything else. At right about that same height would be the front subframe, lower control arm, air damn and rear leaf spring. The front end looks okay from the photos you posted, but better safe then sorry. A cracked spring or bent control arm would explain the difference in feel when driving.

Be thankful your car isn’t lower! If I hit something like that, I’d probably kiss everything forward of the front subframe goodbye because it would never pass under the car.

 

Thanks for the response. My friend said I could bring it down to his shop to put on the lift today if I get time. If not I’ll take it to a local shop and know by tomorrow. Ill post an update.

 

That does look like the floorboard took a hard hit. That would be a concern for me so definitely get that checked carefully. Good luck - hope it turns out OK.