Express Car Care of Denver

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The Most Damaged Suspension System Car Parts When You Hit Potholes

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You’ve probably heard the joke that in Colorado, there are four seasons: fall, winter, spring, and construction. Yes, summer is a great time to get out of the house and enjoy lots of sunny days and warm weather. But driving around town can leave you a little agitated at best.

It’s hard to miss the number of potholes that lurk all over town. They may start out small, but they quickly grow into a car-eating disaster.The Most Damaged Suspension System Car Parts When You Hit Potholes

Potholes are caused by the expansion and contraction of water. As cracks occur in the pavement, water leaks down underneath. On cold days it freezes. Think of it like an ice cube; it moves from a puddle of water to a solid, frozen shape. That pushes and shoves the pavement in new directions.

Then on warm days, it thaws. The water moves to new locations, penetrating even more of the uneven pavement. It flows into new cracks, and takes up more space.

Over and over this occurs, all winter long.

Of course, that’s not the only thing that helps a pothole grow. Especially on a busy road, cars and trucks drive over it, pounding the pavement in all sorts of directions. The weight makes the material weaker, breaks it off, and causes it to move in new ways. The more this occurs, the larger the pothole grows.

Colorado has thousands of miles of paved roads weaving in and out of some of the most beautiful country in the world. If you haven’t had the chance to drive across this state, try picking one from this list and enjoy the breathtaking views.

As you round each corner and move up and down the hills, try and avoid the potholes at all costs. Brace yourself when you simply can’t. And understand the impact each pothole has on your car parts, the damage it creates on your vehicle’s suspension system. By being aware, you can learn when it’s time to bring your car into our shop and get the suspension fixed before further damage can occur.

What a pothole can do to your car

When your car hits a pothole, it’s usually the pothole that will win. It can damage your tires and wheels, cause alignment issues, or even cause premature wear to your shocks. When you hit a pothole, it can damage:

  • Your wheels – it can bend or even crack wheel rims
  • Your tires – flat tires, uneven wear, and weakened belts and cords
  • Your alignment – ever noticed your car pulling to one side or the other?
  • Your suspension system – it can impact shocks, struts, springs, and more
  • Your exhaust system – cracks, leaks, and holes can put you at risk

That damage adds up to quite a lot – according to AAA auto club, over $3 billion a year.

How do you know if your car has been damaged by a pothole?

Here in Colorado, it’s hard to avoid potholes. But pay attention to the ones that make you cringe and groan. You know when you hit an especially bad one. It rattles the entire car. And once this happens, be on the lookout for these things:

  • Do you have to turn your steering wheel so it’s crooked to stay straight on the road? It’s a sign the steering component is bent.
  • Do you notice excessive bouncing and loss of control as you drive? It’s a sign of steering and suspension issues.
  • Have you noticed pulling to one side or uneven tire wear? It’s a sign of problems with your alignment.
  • Are there bulges on tire sidewalls or dents in the wheel? It’s symptoms of tire damage.
  • Do you notice a vibration in your steering wheel? It’s a sign of a bent rim.
  • Do you find fluids underneath your car when you pull away? It could be a signal of a line or hose that’s cracked, wiggled loose, or no longer functioning.
  • Is your exhaust system noisier than normal? It could be a result of damage from the undercarriage of your car scraping because of the pothole.

What if you think you’ve sustained damage after hitting a pothole?

Or course, it depends on what the damage is. Some damage is more dire than others. If you don’t come in with some issues, it can put you at risk for more serious damage, or for an accident.

You should never take your car for granted. You should always take the approach of “listen, sense, and look.”

Every time you start your car, listen for sounds that weren’t there before. Do you hear a new rattle? Do you hear a new clank? Each of these sounds is trying to tell you that something is wrong with your car. Do a little sleuthing and find out exactly where it’s coming from. Even if you can’t determine the exact cause, it will help you be able to talk more clearly with your mechanic when you bring your vehicle in.

Gain a good sense for what your car feels like every time you take it out on the road. Learn how the steering feels as you make turns and keep your car on the road. Do you notice different movements, especially at varying speeds? Do things change on the highway? Do things change when you come to a stop? Note these differences and describe them when you come into the shop.

You should also make a periodic overview of your car, both inside and out. Just like a pilot makes a full check before he pulls the plane out and flies it to the next destination, so too should you do a thorough investigation once in awhile, to ensure everything looks okay. Glance under the car, do you see part of the exhaust system hanging free? Do the tires look deflated or flat? When you pop the hood, does something appear to be out of place?

You don’t need a certificate in auto mechanics to notice when something is wrong with your car. And considering how important your suspension system is to the way your car behaves on the road, it’s one of the most important systems to watch.

How many potholes have you hit this year? Isn’t it time to make sure your suspension system is fully working, and won’t cause you problems down the road?

What If I Drive With A Broken Suspension?

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For many people, a car is simply a tool that helps them go from point A to point B. They get in, drive it, and expect it to be ready when they want to hop in once again.

But a car is actually an intricate set of systems all working together to keep you safe and secure while you move throughout your busy day. You rarely think about what could go wrong until it actually does.What If I Drive With A Broken Suspension?

Often, people don’t ask questions like “what if I drive with a broken suspension” until they encounter a problem with their cars. At that point, it’s a little too late to be able to do anything more than call a tow truck and pay the costs.

Every automobile on the road today is designed with a suspension system. The suspension system is a collection of parts designed to keep your car off the ground and in motion as it moves from here to there. It keeps you comfortable as you hit bumps. It keeps you secure as you move through turns and corners.

Every piece of your suspension system plays a part in the process. If one part goes out, it impacts the entire process.

Your suspension system consists of:

  • Wheels
  • Tires
  • Springs
  • Shocks
  • Steering system
  • All the parts that connect the system together

Like all parts, each is designed to last for only so long. From the moment you drive off the showroom floor, wear and tear occurs to each part a little differently. It depends on driving conditions. It also depends on your driving habits.

Over time, it starts to falter. It doesn’t perform the way it once did. You start noticing problems. The squeaks. The clicks. Or maybe it feels like you traded your luxury car in for a truck. You feel every bump in the road.

Parts wear down over time. But in some cases, it goes a step further. You face a broken suspension system instead of one that’s just in need of repair. What then? Is it safe to drive? Do you need to call a tow truck?

In most cases, a broken suspension means immediate replacement. It needs repair before you can drive. But it also depends on what part brakes.

Wheels

Wheel system failures are almost always caused by the improper installation of the wheel itself. During installation, as the wheel is being mounted, lug nuts or other intricate parts to the wheel aren’t tightened the way they should. As they loosen, the wheel studs break and the wheel separates from the car. This can also occur with improper maintenance, or manufacturer’s defects.

Tires

Your tire is one of the most common reasons for broken suspension failures. If your tire is flat, you can’t drive on it for even short distances. If you put too much pressure on the wheel without the protection of the tire, you’ll destroy the wheel. And without properly inflated tires, you won’t be able to stop or handle the car around curves and turns the way you can under normal conditions. It becomes difficult to steer, slowing down is problematic, and you’re at greater risk for getting into an accident. Change the tire as soon as you discover it’s flat.

Springs

Every car has a coil spring within the suspension system. The coil springs allow the wheels to carry the car vertically, while also holding the rest of the car together. The size of the spring determines the height of the ride. If the coil spring breaks, your car will appear to sit lower than normal. You’ll often find the coil springs start to rust over time where they connect to the suspension system. A broken spring will also affect wheel alignment and cause a distinct rattling noise. If you keep driving on it, it can become dislodged if you hit a bump or pothole, and possibly damage other parts of your suspension system.

Shocks and Struts

If a shock absorber no longer works, you’ll notice your car starts to bounce quite a bit. It may also squat or dive excessively as you apply the brakes. All of these can make the car uncomfortable to ride in, but more importantly, it can also make it difficult to control. Especially as you pick up speed. If you discover you have a broken shock absorber, never increase to highway speeds. Avoid tailgating, taking corners too fast, or braking or stopping quickly.

The struts are part of the suspension system that hold the body of the car off the ground. Struts connect many different parts of the suspension system, including the coil spring and shock absorber. They impact both your car’s steering and alignment. If your car’s struts break, it’s similar to having both your shocks and coil springs break. That means your ride will both be uncomfortable to drive, have the possibility of damaging other parts on your car, and unsafe.

Steering system

Have you started to notice your steering is acting funny? It might be your steering rack or something like tie rod ends. With the rack and pinion steering system, it connects the movement of the left-right steering wheel to the left-right tires to make the wheels turn. The steering column itself sits on a pinion gear that turns, connects the gears in the rack, and gives it the left-right control. The “power” in power steering comes from pressurized fluid flowing through the passages that give you the power to turn the wheels. This fluid also keeps everything cool and prevents damage as metal hits metal. It’s important to change this fluid on a regular basis, according to your car manufacturer’s guidance.

Other

Your car’s suspension system has too many parts to discuss them all here. But every one of them is necessary to keep your car working properly and to keep you safe as you drive. If any part fails, it can make your driving experience unsafe at best.

If you think you have a problem, don’t put it off. Schedule a maintenance appointment today, and we’ll ensure your car is in the best working condition possible. It’ll give you confidence to know your car is as safe as it can be.

 

6 Signs My Car Needs Suspension Repair

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When someone talks about car performance, what do you think? For most people, they think horsepower. How fast it takes for a car to move from zero to sixty. How quickly a car moves off the line.

That’s all a part of performance. And the engine is a big part of how well a car performs.

But without the suspension system, there wouldn’t be a way to control a car. The car quite literally would be out of control.6 Signs My Car Needs Suspension Repair

The job of a suspension system is stability. It’s designed to maximize friction between the tires and the road. The steering should be stable and easy to control. All of it is to ensure the passengers are comfortable and safe throughout the ride.

If all roads were perfectly flat, the suspension system wouldn’t be necessary. But even a short drive around the Front Range shows you are roads are rarely straight. Instead, they curve and wind. And from years of wear and tear, you’ll find bumps, potholes, and other irregularities that can make each venture away from home more challenging than the last.

Whenever you hit these irregularities with your car, the wheels take the brunt of the impact.  They move up and down, readjusting based on road conditions. If they didn’t adjust and move, the force would have a direct impact on the frame of your car. If you’ve ever been in an auto accident, you know that’s not a good thing.

The suspension system is designed to take this energy and absorb it before it impacts the rest of your car. It leaves the frame, the body, even the passengers safe and secure … if the suspension system is doing its job.

When cars are built, they are designed with two dynamics in mind:

Ride – how well the car handles on a bumpy road

Handling – how well a car accelerates, corners, and brakes

Of course, safety is always the number one factor. If a car is built that won’t keep passengers safe, what’s the point?

Which means occasionally, you might notice your ride and handling failing. They aren’t performing as they did when your car was younger. Here are six signs to watch for; experience any of these, and you know it’s time for suspension repair.

1. When a car ride’s roughly

In most cases, when you ride in your car, you enjoy the ride. When the suspension system starts failing, you start to notice every bump and curve. As you move over a bump, or slow for a dip in the road, your car “bumps” right along with it. You notice a “bouncing” action as the car continues through the bump in the road.

This is a sign your suspension system is failing. A rough ride is a sign your car is in need of suspension repair.

2. When a car drifts or pulls

When a suspension system is failing, it often develops a drift or a pull. As you’re driving down the road, do you feel like you need a tighter grip on the steering wheel because your car always drifts either right or left? That’s a sign the suspension is failing.

The suspension system is designed to keep the car stable at all times; that includes moving forward and staying in your lane. As you maneuver around corners and curves, it’s the suspension system that keeps your car grounded, and prevents it from rolling over.

When you start to notice your car pulling or drifting as you drive, it’s time to schedule an appointment for suspension repair.

3. When a car nose-dives when stopping

As your suspension system continues to wear, you’ll notice it as you are stopping. When you come to a stop, does the front of your car dive down as you apply pressure to the brakes? That’s your suspension system failing.

As the suspension system wears out, it decreases the ability to stop. By some estimates, you’ll need several seconds more for your car to stop. That impacts the safety of everyone in your car.

4. When a car’s tires are impacted

Next time you’re about to head out, spend a few minutes walking around your car, and look at the tires. If your car is operating the way it should, you’ll see even wear on the tread. If you notice unevenness, or bald spots in some areas while it looks less worn in others, it’s a sign your suspension system isn’t working the way it should.

It’s important to ensure your tires are always filled at proper levels. If your suspension system is operating correctly, it will put even amounts of pressure on all four tires as it moves you from point A to point B. Unevenness is a sign that your suspension system isn’t working the way it should.

5. When a car has oily shocks

If you know what you are looking for, you can look under your car and inspect the shocks or struts. If they are working properly, they won’t have an oily glean to them. If they are damaged in any way, you’ll see the appearance of fluid leaking from within. This is a sign of failure, and a notice to you that it’s time for suspension repair.

6. When you fail the bounce test

There’s an easy test to determine if your car suspension is failing. With your car in park, press down on the hood of your car and release. Does the vehicle bounce more than once or twice? Do the same in the back. Do you get the same results?

A worn out suspension system will have a lot of give. You’ll have a car that isn’t safe for you or your passengers. You’ll know it’s time to bring your car in.

The actual repair job depends on your car’s make and model. Different cars need different parts and service.

Yet it’s important to remember that it’s not just the parts that need replacing; a reputable mechanic will look at the overall condition of the vehicle too. If your suspension system has been failing for a number of weeks or months, more damage could have occurred, increasing the costs of making the repairs. That’s why it’s a good idea to get in quickly, the minute you suspect you have a problem. It can be the difference between a simple or a costly repair.

Think you have a suspension problem? Looking for a reputable mechanic to get your questions answered? Give us a call today. We can help you with your suspension repair and get you back on the road today.

Suspension Wear

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Your suspension system keeps your car up off the road.  From there, it’s responsible for a smooth and comfortable ride wherever you choose to drive.  It also keeps your wheels firmly planted over bumps and through curves.

Your suspension system has many critical parts that do a big job and because of of that, they should be inspected for suspension wear or damage at least once a year.  A good time to check for suspension wear would be when you get your semiannual alignment check.

Here are some warning signs of suspension problems:  the car pulls to one side, wandering, erratic steering, uneven tire wear.  You could also experience leaning, shocks bottoming out, a poor ride or handling, leaking oil from the shocks and excessive bouncing.

Unfortunately, suspension parts just wear out over time.  Shocks and struts eventually lose their ability to control your ride.  If you’re in an accident, your suspension can be damaged or knocked out of alignment.  Even a minor accident, like hitting a curb, pothole or large rock, can mess things up.  If you suspect suspension problems, ask a trusted service adviser at Express Car Care for an inspection and let us set things right.

Give us a call or come in and see us.

At Express Car Care we install quality NAPA replacement parts.

Keep It Straight-Wheel Alignment

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Have you ever been in your local grocery store and had one of those shopping carts?  You know, the one with a messed up wheel that wobbles like crazy.  Your cart shakes and pulls to one side and if you’re not careful, it’s clean up on aisle nine.

Wheel alignment on your vehicle is a lot like that.  One or more of your wheels can get out of alignment and you feel a vibration in your steering wheel, which may also be off-center.  Your vehicle might pull to one side and your tires start to wear unevenly.  If you’re not paying attention you could chew through a tire in a few months.

Sometimes wheels get knocked out of alignment by something big like hitting a curb on a bumpy road or slamming into a pothole.  But everyday driving takes a toll too and vehicles naturally lose alignment over time.  That’s why we recommend an alignment check at regular intervals.  At Express Car Care, we offer a full menu of quality auto repair and maintenance services, including wheel alignment.

In your alignment inspection, your friendly and helpful technician will check your tires and your suspension system for damage.  He’ll test your alignment to see if it’s within specifications.  If not, he can make the necessary adjustments to get the wheels of your vehicle all pointing the same direction again.

If your vehicle pulls to one side, or you feel a vibration in the steering wheel, if your tires seem to be wearing abnormally, talk with your service adviser.  You may need to put an alignment inspection at the top of your to-do list.

Give us a call or come in and see us.

Express Car Care Takes Care of Your Car’s Suspension

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As you all can imagine, if most of your driving is done on smooth highways and roads, your car’s suspension will last a lot longer.  But I’m sure you know that most roads and highways are anything but smooth, they’re usually extremely rough, especially with all the road construction that is taking place.  As drivers, we are always trying to avoid potholes and other hazards in the road.  These conditions can wreak havoc on your car’s suspension.

After so many years and miles of hazardous driving your vehicle’s suspension system components will wear out, but how long that takes depends on how well you take care of your car’s suspension.  In addition to wearing out, a car’s suspension components can be damaged in an accident or by a hard impact like a pothole, hitting a curb or a rock on a bumpy road.

Because the life span of shocks can vary so widely, your vehicle’s manufacturer recommends periodic inspections.  During an inspection, your knowledgeable Express Car Care service adviser will check for worn, broken or missing parts.

Signs for drivers that shocks or struts are wearing out:  the vehicle’s tires may have a cupped wear pattern.  This is from the shocks bouncing unevenly.  Drivers may notice a floating or drifting sensation when cornering.  If the front of your car dives excessively when stopping or rocks back and forth after you stop, your shocks may be worn out.  And if they are leaking fluid, it’s definitely time to replace them.

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, come see us at Express Car Care in Denver for a suspension inspection, also if you’ve been in an accident that involved one of your vehicle’s wheels.  Worn or broken shocks can cause premature wear or failure on other suspension parts such as ball joints and other steering components as well.  If your car’s suspension actually fails, it could lead to a serious accident, so let Express Car Care take care of your car’s suspension.

When drivers replace their vehicle shocks, it’s usually best to replace all four at the same time.  That provides more even handling.  Be sure to consult with your service adviser because you don’t want a big difference between the performance of your shocks from wheel to wheel, and replacing all of them may be the safest bet.

Axles

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AxlesQuestion:
I hear a clunking sound from my front wheel when I make a turn.  What could be the problem?

Express Car Care Answer:  One possible cause of the problem is a worn axle.  Front-wheel drive vehicles have axles that transfer power from the transmission to your front wheels.  There is one for each front wheel.  These axles are called constant velocity axles or CV axles for short.  Rear-wheel drive vehicles have axles that are in back and run between the differential and the rear wheels.  Then there are all-wheel drive vehicles which have an axle at each wheel.

When a front CV axle goes bad, it will make a clunking noise as you make a slow turn.  When a rear axle goes bad, the clunking or moaning sound will be in the back.  No, there really isn’t any preventative maintenance you can have performed to make your axles last longer, but you can have them inspected from time to time to see if a problem such as a leaking seal or torn protective boot has arisen.  Sometimes finding the problem early will make the repair easier and less costly.

Of course, axles do wear out and need to be replaced.  This is dangerous and should not be put off by drivers, because a severely worn axle can seize up causing damage to your transmission or other components.  This could even lead to an accident for any driver who ignores a worn axle.

If you suspect an axle problem, have it looked at right away.  Ask your friendly and knowledgeable service adviser at Express Car Care if it’s time for your axle to be replaced.

Ball Joints

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Most drivers in Denver know that ball joints are an important part of the suspension system.  Visualize a ball attached to a spindle, with the ball enclosed in a cup.  This allows the joint to move in several directions, kind of like the way your hip works.

Most vehicles have two or four ball joints on the front, depending on the type of suspension system.  The joint allows the wheels to move up and down as the tires go over bumps, as well as allowing the wheels to turn as you steer.  The ball joints are continuously working and are subject to normal wear.  Most ball joints on modern vehicles are maintenance free, meaning they are sealed and cannot be lubricated.  Once the lubricant breaks down or leaks out due to a broken seal, the ball joint will wear more quickly.  Ball Joints

You may hear a clicking or popping sound from a corner of the vehicle when turning and /or going over bumps as a ball joint is failing.  Your steering may begin to feel sloppy or stiff, depending on how the joint is wearing.  You may even feel vibration in the steering wheel at highway speeds.  Unusual tire wear is also a sign of a problem.

It’s important to replace worn ball joints BEFORE they fail.  Once it fails, the joint may not be able to constrain the steering angle of a wheel, causing you to lose control.

Your owner’s manual calls for periodic suspension system inspections.  The ball joints are an important component that will be inspected for safe function.  We can check to see if you are due for a suspension system inspection or ask you service adviser for an inspection if you are experiencing any of the signs of ball joint wear.

 

Tracking True

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Tracking TrueWheel alignment is often overlooked by busy car owners until serious tire damage has been done.  One wheel can be knocked out of alignment from the others by hitting a curb or a pothole in the road.

The tires will wear out very quickly and will need to be replaced prematurely.  It could also lead to suspension damage.  Conversely, worn suspension or steering components can lead to alignment problems for motorists.

But the big issue for drivers is safety.  When your wheels are out of alignment, the vehicle will pull to one side, which could lead to an accident.  When you’re out of alignment, you should have it taken care of right away.

Signs of alignment problems are:  Your car pulls to one side.  Also, your steering wheel may not be centered when you’re going straight.  If you see the edges of one or more tires rapidly wearing down, your should have your service adviser look it over.

If you’ve been in an accident that involved a wheel, you should get your alignment checked.  A big jolt can seriously throw things out of alignment, but drivers also need to understand that a series of smaller ones can add up.  Worn steering or suspension components can also lead to alignment problems for drivers.  That’s why your vehicle manufacturer recommends periodic alignment checks.

If your owner’s manual doesn’t specify, once a year might be appropriate, or check with your service adviser.  He’ll be able to tell you if your vehicle requires a four wheel alignment or if it’s just the front wheels that can be aligned.

One thing is for sure, the cost of an alignment is cheaper than having to buy new tires because of neglect.

 

Worn Shocks and Struts

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Worn Shocks and StrutsShocks and struts last a long time and wear out pretty slowly for most vehicles.  But let’s face it, they’re easy to take for granted.  Because your shocks and struts do a very important job we need to make sure we pay attention to them.  They keep your tires on the road; and your tires are what connect your vehicle to the road and allow you to safely handle it through turns, over bumps and every single stop.

When you have worn shocks and struts, your tires bounce excessively over  any bumps that may be in the road that we’re driving on.  Your vehicle will wallow through corners; your front-end will dive when you stop; and the rear-end of your vehicle will squat when you accelerate.  All these hurt your ability to safely control your vehicle.  Plus your ride just isn’t as comfortable.

Worn shocks and struts cause excessive tire wear, so you’ll need to replace your tires sooner than you would if they weren’t worn.  Worn shocks and struts also stresses other suspension and steering parts, causing them to wear prematurely.  Struts are actually a major structural component of the suspension system; there’s a lot riding on them.

Replacing worn shocks and struts saves money in the long run for drivers – and you can’t really put a price on your safety and that of your passengers.  We generally recommend replacing shocks and struts at 50,000 miles.

When it’s time for new shocks or struts, we’ve got you covered.  We can give you back the ride and handling of a new vehicle.  And if you have special needs we can help you there too.  We have premium shocks and struts that will improve performance.  We can even help you with upgraded, heavy-duty shocks that will give you the confidence you need to handle those big towing or hauling jobs.

Experts recommend replacing all four shocks at the same time so that handling is even at each wheel.

If you think you have worn shocks or struts and need new ones, let us help you take care of this important safety service.  You’ll feel better, and also save money on tires and other suspension repairs down the road.

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