Steering & Suspension System Repair or Replacement in Litchfield County, CT

Suspension problems can sometimes be hard to diagnose. They are often mistaken for a tire issue or vice versa. Once you figure out that it is a suspension issue and not a tire issue, then you have to decipher if it’s a ball joint problem, tie rods, struts, or maybe shocks.

Wherever the source of the issue is coming from there is one thing they all have in common. If they fail, it becomes a dangerous situation for your vehicle and for you. The only time you will have wear and tear affecting your suspension is if you completely neglect maintenance and inspections and run your car to an early grave.

Ball Joint Replacement

Have you ever seen a car sitting on the side of the road with the tire leaning awkwardly into the vehicle? If you have, then you have seen a car with a broken ball joint. Even though the replacement of ball joints is not a part of regular maintenance they should get checked according to the mileage specification of the manufacturer of your vehicle. If you are unsure of what the intervals are, you can call Bear Auto Performance and Repair for honest and forthright guidance regarding your vehicle. If you are hearing a loud clunking noise, your tire tread is wearing unevenly, and/or your car is pulling hard to one side or the other there’s a good chance that you have a failing ball joint.

Inner Tie Rod & Outer Tie Rod Replacement in Litchfield County, CT

Tie rods connect your steering rack to the steering knuckle on each of the front wheels of your car. There is a sleeve between the inner tie rods and the outer ends. When you steer to one side or the other the sleeve sends that direction through the steering system ending with the tie rod that will make your car steer either to the left or the right. Having the ability to turn corners and avert collisions is important, so the tie rods are a pretty important part of your vehicle’s steering system. If you notice that your front tires are wearing unevenly on either the inner or the outer edges, this is a good sign that you are having tie rod issues, especially if the back tires are not showing signs of uneven wear. If you hear a fiercely quick squeak when you turn corners this is another symptom. If your steering begins to feel loose then there is a good chance there’s a tie rod problem and you should get it looked at before you have zero steering ability. You can call on Bear Auto Performance and Repair if you need to have your tie rods replaced in several counties of Connecticut.

Shocks Replacement

Your vehicle has either a shock or a strut on each wheel, but not both. No cars have both. It’s one or the other. If your shocks are bad it will become increasingly difficult to control your car, especially in a side wind. The car will veer from one side to the other. Your shocks are yet another problem that can cause uneven wear on your tread. If you allow your tread to wear too thin, you are increasing your chances of sliding, even on rainy roads. If your car sounds like it’s going to fall apart when you go over minor bumps or railroad tracks, then your shocks are probably failing. Some of the other symptoms are a dipping of the front end when you apply your brakes, involuntarily swerving when brakes are applied, or a vibration that can be felt in the steering wheel.

Struts Replacement

The symptoms of bad struts are the same as the symptoms that you need to replace your shocks. Additionally, you can be on the lookout for leaking fluid if you know where your struts are located. The strut will look wet or oily if you have a leak.

Suspension Inspection

Your mechanic will normally inspect your brakes, steering, and suspension and the same time. If you do not have a regular mechanic that you find to be trustworthy and reliable, you can do a web search for mechanics in Connecticut or you can call on Bear Auto Performance and Repair to keep your vehicle in the best shape for its age and mileage.

Sway Bar Link Replacement

Sway bars are technically called stabilizer bars. The symptoms of problems are the same as for the rest of the suspension system and this is another part of the system that should be inspected when you have your brakes inspected. If your mechanic and you do not have an established working relationship be sure to ask if they are going to inspect your suspension when your brakes are inspected.