Car Suspension

Don’t Let Potholes Put A Hole In Your Wallet

Dana — Mon, 07 Feb 2022 15:14:47 +0000

Don’t Let Potholes Put A Hole In Your Wallet Dana Mon, 02/07/2022 - 09:14

Hitting a pothole with your car can do a real number on tires, wheels, steering, suspension, and alignment.

Potholes occur when water permeates the pavement – usually through a crack – and softens the soil beneath it, creating a depression in the surface of the street. Many potholes appear during winter and spring months because of freeze-thaw cycles, which accelerate the process. Potholes can also be prevalent in areas with excessive rainfall and flooding.

The non-profit Car Care Council urges motorists to watch for three warning signs to help determine if hitting a pothole has damaged their vehicle.

Loss of control, swaying when making routine turns, bottoming out on city streets or bouncing excessively on rough roads are indicators that the steering and suspension may have been damaged. The steering and suspension are key safety-related systems. Together, they largely determine a vehicle’s ride and handling.

Pulling in one direction, instead of maintaining a straight path, and uneven tire wear, are symptoms of an alignment problem. Proper wheel alignment is important for the lifespan of tires and helps ensure safe handling.

Low tire pressure, bulges or blisters on the sidewalls, or dents in the wheel rim will be visible and should be checked out as soon as possible, as tires are the critical connection between the vehicle and the road.

If you’ve hit a pothole, it can be difficult to know if and to what extent your car has been damaged. “It’s a good idea to describe the symptoms to a professional technician who can then check out the vehicle and make the necessary repairs to ensure safety and reliability.

Don’t Let Potholes Put A Hole In Your Wallet

Dana — Mon, 07 Feb 2022 15:14:47 +0000

Don’t Let Potholes Put A Hole In Your Wallet Dana Mon, 02/07/2022 - 09:14

Hitting a pothole with your car can do a real number on tires, wheels, steering, suspension, and alignment.

The non-profit Car Care Council urges motorists to watch for three warning signs to help determine if hitting a pothole has damaged their vehicle.

Loss of control, swaying when making routine turns, bottoming out on city streets or bouncing excessively on rough roads are indicators that the steering and suspension may have been damaged. The steering and suspension are key safety-related systems. Together, they largely determine a vehicle’s ride and handling.

Pulling in one direction, instead of maintaining a straight path, and uneven tire wear, are symptoms of an alignment problem. Proper wheel alignment is important for the lifespan of tires and helps ensure safe handling.

Low tire pressure, bulges or blisters on the sidewalls, or dents in the wheel rim will be visible and should be checked out as soon as possible, as tires are the critical connection between the vehicle and the road.

Potholes Can Put A Hole In Your Wallet

admin — Thu, 01 Apr 2021 19:40:47 +0000

Potholes Can Put A Hole In Your Wallet admin Thu, 04/01/2021 - 14:40

It's a safe bet that anywhere you look on the roads, you are sure to find a pothole after this winter. 2020 was sure to end with a surprise, and the brutal winter entering 2021 was the icing on the cake for many! With record-breaking snow in some areas resulting in an unprecedented number of potholes appearing on roads and highways across the country, causing considerable damage and unexpected, costly car owners' repairs.

Drivers know as soon as they hit a pothole that some damage level has occurred to their vehicle. Most drivers will check their tires and wheels visually. Still, potholes can also cause considerable damage to the steering, suspension, and alignment systems that you can't see. When you hit a rough pothole, it's best to give us a call to get an inspection of your vehicle scheduled.

If you hit a pothole while driving, we would like to remind you to watch for the following warning signs and have your vehicle inspected by a professional technician without delay.

Experiencing the loss of control or swaying when making regular turns or bouncing excessively on rough roads indicates that the steering and suspension may have been damaged. The steering and suspension are critical safety-related systems. Together, they largely determine your car's ride and handling. Key components are shocks and struts, the steering knuckle, ball joints, the steering rack/box, bearings, seals and hub units, and tie rod ends.
Pulling in one direction, instead of maintaining a straight path, and uneven tire wear. These symptoms mean there's an alignment problem. Proper wheel alignment is essential for the lifespan of tires and helps ensure safe handling.

For more information please call S & S Automotive & Towing at (785) 336-2828.

Four Signs your Car Needs Suspension Work

admin — Wed, 10 Mar 2021 21:42:40 +0000

Four Signs your Car Needs Suspension Work admin Wed, 03/10/2021 - 15:42

Our vehicle's suspension system, otherwise known as shocks and struts, is something we often take for granted. Some people believe the suspension is mainly about having a smooth ride. Therefore these repairs aren't as necessary as other maintenance issues like oil changes or brakes. However, having bad suspension can affect your ability to control the vehicle, especially when stopping or turning, so it's in your best interest not to ignore this part of auto repair.

How do you know when it's time for suspension repair? Your vehicle will give you four hints.

Your Car is Riding Rough:

Most people can tell their shocks or struts are wearing out when they begin to feel every bump in the road or when every bump causes the vehicle body to "bounce." A rough ride is an obvious sign that your vehicle's suspension needs work.

Drifting or pulling during turns

With a failing suspension system, you'll often feel the vehicle "drift" or "pull" when you're turning. This pulling means the shocks are no longer keeping the vehicle body stable against the centrifugal force of a turn, increasing your risk of a rollover.

Dips or "nose dives" when stopping.

When the shocks are worn out, you're likely to feel the vehicle body lurching forward and downward nose-first when you apply the brakes firmly. This dipping will affect your ability to stop the car quickly and is unsafe.

Uneven tire treads

Take a look at your tires. Suppose you notice the tire tread is wearing down unevenly on your tires. In that case, it is likely caused by poor suspension holding the car unevenly, and therefore putting uneven amounts of pressure on the tires.

For more information please call S&S Automotive & Towing at (785) 336-2828.