Heavy rain is hard on Baton Rouge streets. Local news reported in June 2026 that potholes show up more often after big storms, and a 2026 ranking put Louisiana 7th-worst in the country for road conditions. Hit one hard on Perkins Road or College Drive and the car may feel different on the drive home.
Gordon & Sandifer has handled wheel alignment, suspension and tire work on Perkins Road since 1956, with collision repair in the same shop. Here is what usually causes a pull after a pothole, which signs matter and how we sort it out without selling you parts you don’t need.
Why does my car pull to one side after hitting a pothole?
A car that pulls after a pothole usually has one of four problems: the wheel alignment was knocked out, a steering part such as a tie rod was bent, a tire was damaged inside, or a suspension part was bent or broken. Uneven tire pressure from a slow leak can cause a pull too.
The pull may be slight at first. You might notice the car drifting toward the curb on a straight stretch of Acadian Thruway. Any pull that started right after a hard hit is worth a check.
Can hitting a pothole throw off my wheel alignment?
Yes. A hard pothole hit can change the angles of your wheels, especially toe, which is how much the front of each tire points in or out. Even a small change can make the car pull, leave the steering wheel off center and wear the inside or outside edge of a tire faster than normal.
Camber, the inward or outward tilt of the tire, and caster, the angle of the steering pivot, can shift too, though that usually means something is bent. Many newer cars also need a camera or radar check after an alignment, which our ADAS calibration page explains.
A bent tie rod often leaves the steering wheel off center
Tie rods connect the steering rack to the front wheels, and a hard pothole hit can bend one. When that happens, the steering wheel often sits crooked while the car drives straight, the car may pull, and the tire on that side can wear quickly. A bent tie rod has to be replaced before an alignment.
Straightening a bent steering part is never the right fix, because the metal is weakened. We replace it, then align the car.
Expert tip: Notice how the steering wheel sits on a straight road before and after a hard hit. If it was centered last week and now tilts a few degrees, tell us. That small detail points us toward a bent part quickly and saves time on the diagnosis.
How do I know if a pothole damaged my tire?
Look for a bulge or bubble on the sidewall, a cut, or a dent in the rim, and watch for a TPMS light or a new vibration at highway speed. A bulge means the inner cords broke and air is pushing on the rubber. That tire needs to be replaced, since a sidewall bulge can’t be repaired.
A pothole can also shift a tire’s internal belts without any visible mark, which causes a pull or a wobble. Our tire team can inspect it, balance the wheel and check the rim for bends. Correct tire pressure helps a tire absorb hits, so a low tire takes more damage.
What suspension parts can a Baton Rouge pothole damage?
A deep pothole can bend a control arm, damage a ball joint, break a sway bar link, tear a bushing or blow out a strut or shock. Signs include a clunk over bumps, a car that bounces or leans more than before, a steering wheel that feels loose and a pull that comes and goes.
Rough, patched streets wear these parts down, so a worn part often gives out after one last hard hit. The city planned a pothole overlay on Lee Drive between Perkins and Highland for fall 2026, one sign of how hard rain is on local roads. Our suspension and steering repair page explains each part.
We check for worn and bent parts before aligning a car after a pothole
An alignment only holds if every steering and suspension part is tight and straight. Before we align a car that hit a pothole, we check the tie rods, ball joints, control arms, bushings and wheels. If a part is bent or worn, we show you, explain what it does and get your approval first.
Aligning over a loose ball joint or a bent tie rod wastes your money, because the angles drift as soon as you drive off. We tell you what needs attention now and what can wait, and nobody gets sold parts the car does not need. That habit is how Gordon & Sandifer has lasted 70 years in one Baton Rouge neighborhood.
How much does it cost to fix a car after hitting a pothole?
The cost depends on what the pothole damaged. An alignment alone is a fairly small job, while a bent tie rod, a damaged tire, a bent wheel or a broken suspension part adds parts and labor. You get a clear estimate before any work starts, and we separate what needs fixing now from what can wait.
Your vehicle matters too. A heavier SUV or pickup such as a Ford F-150 or Chevrolet Tahoe uses larger parts than a compact sedan.
Expert tip: If you can’t steer around a pothole safely, ease off the brake just before you reach it. Braking hard pushes the front of the car down and lets the tire drop deeper into the hole, while a rolling tire crosses it with less impact.
A hard pothole hit can become an insurance or collision repair question
When a pothole bends a wheel, breaks a suspension part or damages the bumper or underside of the car, the repair can look a lot like a collision repair. Some drivers file that damage under the collision coverage on their auto policy. Your insurance company can tell you what your own policy covers.
If you decide to file a claim, Gordon & Sandifer can help. We work with most auto insurance companies, our collision repair technicians are I-CAR certified, and the alignment, suspension and tire work happens under the same roof, so the car never goes to a second shop. You can also report the pothole to the city through 311.
Where can I get an alignment check near me in Baton Rouge?
Gordon & Sandifer checks alignment, tires and suspension at 3825 Perkins Rd, Baton Rouge, LA 70808, close to Southdowns, Zee Zee Gardens and University Lake. We’re open Monday through Thursday 7:30 AM to 5:00 PM and Friday 7:30 AM to 3:00 PM. Call (225) 343-3427 and tell us what the car is doing.
An alignment check is a good excuse to sit down in our waiting area. Pour a coffee, catch up on email over the Wi-Fi, and we’ll come find you. Directions are on our contact page, and you’ll hear the honest answer, even when the answer is that nothing is broken.