Today’s topic “Suspension Alignment” is due to the potholes that come “alive” this time of year. Left over from the winter season and exacerbated by spring rains, potholes usually come to our attention AFTER we hit a bad one or a few decent size ones that jar your head and your cars suspension.
One of the common threads you’ll read in my posts is about how and why the automotive industry does things that usually don’t help the consumer. Their need to “build” profit into their vehicles means they find ways to save weight and costs. This means the suspension on your car is built out of lighter materials that have shorter life spans and aren’t as tough as some of the surfaces these cars are asked to drive on. In some ways it’s not all that bad because that means that if you hit a curb, the suspension will take the force, fold and keep frame damage from happening.
Unfortunately, the downside to this is they are more susceptible to bending just enough to bring the alignment out of spec. This eats up tires and can promote further wear on other parts. Struts, shocks, tie rod ends are just some of the more common components that can be victims of potholes. A lot of times these pothole “events” can shift suspension parts just enough to bring the alignment out of adjustment. Most suspension parts have a limited lifespan due to rubber bushings that give it the nice ride when new but wear over the miles and years.
This brings up the question, “Is it time for an alignment?” If you haven’t done one or had your suspension checked for wear and tear in over a year, it’s probably due. Alignments are one of those maintenance items that often get ignored until the suspension is compromised, leading to spendy repairs.
This is why we’re offering an alignment special with a complete suspension evaluation to keep your trusty steed heading straight and dependable for years to come.