What steering and suspension do
Your suspension is made up of springs, shock absorbers, control arms and the joints and bushings that connect them. It soaks up bumps, keeps the vehicle level when you turn and brake, and keeps all four tires in contact with the road.
Parts like ball joints, tie rods and bushings wear out over time, like any part that moves.
Signs something is wrong
These are the common signs that the steering or suspension needs a look:
- The vehicle pulls left or right on a straight, level road.
- The steering wheel sits off-centre when you’re driving straight.
- The steering feels loose, or more sensitive than it used to.
- The steering wheel shakes, or you feel a vibration through the seat or floor at highway speed.
- The tires squeal when you turn.
- The tires wear out faster than they should, or wear on the inside or outside edges.
What causes these problems
Some of these signs point to worn suspension parts. Others point to wheel alignment or wheel balance. They are different problems, but they share symptoms, and one can lead to the other.
Potholes, curbs and rough roads are a common cause. A hard hit can knock the wheels out of alignment, and it can knock the balance weights off a wheel. Michelin points out that freeze and thaw cycles on Canadian roads create a lot of potholes.
When the wheels are out of alignment, the control arms, ball joints and bushings work harder to make up for it, so they wear out sooner. The tires wear heavily on their inside or outside edges, the vehicle doesn’t handle as well, and the tires don’t last as long.
Worn suspension parts are one of the most common reasons a steering wheel starts to shake. A shake that only shows up when you brake is different. It is more often a brake problem, like warped rotors or a sticking caliper. Our brake service page covers the warning signs.
Why it’s worth fixing early
Worn parts change how the vehicle handles. A vehicle that’s out of alignment also wears out its tires faster, including new ones. Our tires page explains BC’s minimum tread depths.
At Hub Motor Service
We do steering and suspension repairs in our five-bay shop at Essendene Avenue and Gladys Avenue, in downtown Abbotsford. Our team includes Myron Warkentin, Michael Warkentin and Corey Polson, all fully licensed Red Seal Automotive Technicians. Michael trained in the Automotive Technician Apprenticeship program at BCIT.
For regular upkeep, our maintenance program follows your manufacturer’s recommendations.