Steering & Suspension System

What is it?
Like your car’s brake system, the steering and suspension systems are key safety-related systems. Together, they largely determine your car’s ride and handling. Have your car’s steering and suspension systems checked regularly, at least once a year and usually with a wheel alignment.

What does it do?
The suspension maintains the relationship between the wheels and the frame or unibody. The suspension system interacts with the steering system to provide vehicle control. When working properly, the suspension system helps absorb the energy from road irregularities such as potholes and helps to maintain vehicle stability. The steering system transmits your input from the steering wheel to the steering gear and other steering components to control the car’s direction.

Typical Wear and Tear
Over time, steering and suspension components wear out and require replacement. Regular checks are critical to maintain a safe car. Factors that affect wear include:

• Driving habits
• Operating conditions
• Vehicle type
• Type of steering and suspension system
• Frequency of regular maintenance such as chassis lubrication and wheel alignment

Symptoms

• Pulling
• Uneven tire wear
• Noise and vibration while cornering
• Loss of control

Maintenance Tips:

• Lube Chassis every time you change your oil, or at least every 10,000 miles

• Align front end whenever experiencing abnormal tire wear

• Inspect ball joins every 20,000 miles

• Check steering linkage and free play every 20,000 miles

• Clean and repack front end bearings and replace seal every 30,000 miles

• Inspect rear suspension every 20,000 miles

• Rotate tires every 20,000 miles

• Check air pressure and tire wear every 7,500 miles. Rotate tires and align if there is any sign of wear

• Check bellows on rack-and-pinion unit every time the chassis is lubed. Leaking units should be replaced

• Replace OE shocks after 20,000 miles

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