Helping You Stay Driven
Fremont, CA's Top Choice for Suspension Repair: Driven Auto Care
Your vehicle’s suspension not only gives you a smooth and safe ride, but it keeps the tires on the road and provides stability. It also absorbs the bumps on the road and some of the vibration from the engine. The suspension components wear over time, especially struts, shocks, and bushings. As they wear, your vehicle becomes less comfortable and less safe to drive. Driven Auto Care in Fremont, CA can repair the suspension to make your car comfortable and safe again.
Main Suspension Components
The suspension components work together to keep the vehicle on the road and give you a smooth ride. Some people consider steering components and tires and wheels as part of the suspension, but most auto techs keep them in separate categories. These components include:
- Springs: Your vehicle’s springs support its weight and absorb some of the shock from uneven roads. Most vehicles have either coil springs or leaf springs.
- Shock Absorbers: Shocks, sometimes called dampers, work with the springs to minimize bouncing. They also help the tires stay on the road instead of bouncing all over the place. Shocks are also part of ride comfort.
- Struts: The vehicle’s struts combine the functions of the springs and shocks into one unit. They also provide a connection to other suspension components.
- Control Arms: The control arms connect the suspension to the frame. Your vehicle may have upper and/or lower control arms, depending on the vehicle’s design. Most front-wheel drive vehicles have lower control arms, while most rear-wheel drive vehicles have upper and lower control arms. The control arms connect the hub and steering knuckle to the vehicle’s frame and are a pivot point for the tires. Upper control arms connect to the upper part of the front wheel, while lower control arms connect to the lower area of the wheel.
- Bushings: Small rubber or polyurethane pieces help cushion suspension parts. These bushings reduce vibration and noise and help control movement.
- Sway Bars: Not all vehicles use sway bars. A sway bar runs along the front of the vehicle, from one side to the other. It helps prevent side-to-side stability and can minimize rollovers.
Signs Your Vehicle Needs Suspension Repair
When suspension parts wear or malfunction, your vehicle can become dangerous to drive. You can look for signs that you need suspension repair and bring your vehicle in before the suspension malfunctions in most cases. Signs you need suspension wear include:
- Excessive Bouncing: If you notice excessive bounding when you hit a bump or a pothole, you may have worn shocks or struts. You can also test this theory by bouncing each corner of the vehicle. It should bounce once or twice. If it bounces more, then your suspension needs attention.
- Uneven Tire Wear: Cupping, feathering, bald spots, and wear on just one side of the tire indicate your vehicle’s suspension needs attention.
- Pulling to the Side: If you notice your vehicle pulling to the side, check the tire pressure to make sure it’s even. If it is, the problem is in the alignment or suspension.
- Noises: If you hear banging noises when you drive over a bump or make a turn, the ball joints, bushings, or other suspension components may be worn.
- Difficulty Steering: If it becomes difficult for you to steer and the power steering is working, you could have issues with some of the suspension components.
Frequently checking the tread wear on the tires and tire pressure can give you a heads-up that something in the suspension or steering is wearing. That gives you a chance to get it repaired before it does additional damage, including wearing out a tire so much that you have to replace it.
Always choose an auto technician who will check your vehicle’s suspension and remind you that it’s time to rotate the tires. It’s a good time to rotate the tires at every oil change; that way, it’s easier for the tech to see under the vehicle and check the suspension.
Contact Driven Auto Care in Fremont, CA
When it’s time for suspension repair and auto repair, contact Driven Auto Care at (510) 659-9718 for an appointment. We are conveniently located at 40931 Albrae St., Fremont, CA 94538.
