Express Car Care of Denver

"Denver's Best Auto Repair and Quick Lube"

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.

Suspension Integrity

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Suspension IntegrityHello – today we’re talking about suspension integrity.  Your skeleton provides the structure to hold up your weight.  Your joints cushion you as you walk and allow you to change direction.  Your vehicle’s suspension system is similar:  it bears the weight of your vehicle, absorbs bumps in the road and controls the body as you steer.

Like the bones in your body, vehicle suspension parts are connected by joints that allow all the components to move as they should.  Over time and miles, the joints start to wear and your suspension gets loose and doesn’t operate as precisely as before, reducing proper tire contact with the road.  An accident, pothole or hitting a curb or rock can also damage or break vehicle suspension components.

If you’ve ever hurt your foot, you know you’ve had to walk differently to keep it from hurting.  Do that long enough and your ankle, knee, hip and even your back will start to hurt from the strain of not moving normally.  The same thing happens in your vehicle when one joint or part is worn or damaged:  it stresses everything else and causes premature wear to the whole system.

Signs of suspension problems include uneven tire wear, vibration, rattles or clunks when you hit a bump or turn on a windy road, or the vehicle pulls to one side.

If you suspect a suspension problem, ask your helpful Express Car Care service adviser about your suspension system.  They can also check your alignment while they’re at it.  Taking care of a worn or damaged suspension component early, will head off future damage and repairs down the road.

Give us a call.

Simple Answers from Express Car Care: Differential Service

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Differential ServiceQuestion:  What is a differential and why do Denver auto owners need to have it serviced?

Express Car Care Answer:

First of all – your vehicle has a differential.  If it’s a rear wheel drive, your differential is on the back.  If it’s a front wheel drive, your differential is built into your transaxle (transmission).  Denver auto owners with all wheel drive or four wheel drives will have differentials in the front and rear and maybe in between.

When you are steering through a turn at an intersection in town, the wheels on the outside of the truck or car have to spin faster than the inside wheels because they have to travel a slightly longer distance through the curve.  The differential compensates for these speed differences between the wheels.

Because it is part of the vital equipment that transfers engine power to the wheels, the differential is working pretty hard.  Differential fluid – an especially heavy-duty oil – cools, lubricates and protects the differential.  It needs to be replaced on a schedule to remove metal shavings and other contaminants.  Note:  If you have a front wheel drive vehicle, replacing your transmission fluid takes care of your differential service needs.

Differentials have become increasingly sophisticated for Denver auto owners.  Rather than the simple mechanical devices of “the good old days”, they are more complicated and may actually be part of the key computer controlled stability system.  This means they are more costly, so it pays for drivers to have them serviced on schedule at Express Car Care in Denver to avoid premature wear.  Talk to your helpful Express Car Care technician.  At Express Care, we provide quality automotice service including air condition service, transmission service and tire rotation.

We install quality NAPA replacements parts.  To learn more about NAPA AutoCare, visit www.NAPAAutoCare.com

Shocks and Struts

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Shock and StrutsLet’s talk shocks and struts.

Shock absorbers and struts last a long time and wear out pretty slowly for most cars and trucks in the Denver area.  They’re easy to take for granted, but your shocks and struts do a very important job so you need to 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 your car through turns, over bumps and even stop in time.

When your shocks and struts are worn, your tires bounce excessively over bumps in our city streets.  Your vehicle will wallow through corners; your front-end will dive when you stop; and your rear-end will squat when you accelerate.  All this hurts your ability to control your vehicle.  And your ride just isn’t as comfortable.

Worn shocks or struts cause excessive tire wear so you’ll have to replace your tires sooner than you should.  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 our local drivers – and of course 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 is 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 your 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 need new shocks or struts, let us help you take care of this important safety service.  You’ll feel better, and you’ll save money on tires and other suspension repairs down the road.

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