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Services >> Suspension Services >>
Suspension System Components
Ride and Handling System Components
What It Does
The ride and handling system supports the vehicle's weight, keeps the wheels in contact with the road and helps provide a comfortable ride for the passengers.
Did You Know?
Tire pressure and vehicle ride height are two of the most neglected suspension-related items. Lack of attention to these areas can contribute to improper wheel alignment and unnecessary chassis parts wear.
If the ride height of a vehicle falls below the manufacturer's specification (due to wear or incorrect loading), the entire suspension system suffers. This in turn reduces your vehicle's braking, steering and acceleration capabilities and increases tire wear.
1
Ball Joint
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Function:
Serves as a pivot for the wheel assembly, allowing the wheels to turn in the direction the vehicle is steered.
Signs of Wear:
Rough ride, play in steering wheel, slow or stiff steering wheel return, excessive tire wear on one side (see "D" and "E" on right page).
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2
Shock Absorber
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Function:
Minimized spring bounce and helps keep the wheels in contact with the road.
Signs of Wear:
Excessive ball joint play, leaking oil along the shock body, broken mounts or mounting hardware, worn or missing bushings, excessive vehicle bounce, cupped tire wear (see "B" and "C" on right page).
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3
Stabilizer Bar Link
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Function:
Works with the stabilizer bar to reduce body lean and roll while cornering.
Signs of Wear:
Excessive body lean when cornering.
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4
Lower Control Arm
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Function:
Joins the wheel hub to the vehicle frame allowing for a full range of motion while maintaining proper suspension alignment.
Signs of Wear:
Uneven tire wear, suspension noise or misalignment, steering wheel shimmy or vibration.
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5
Strut Mount/Bearing
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Function:
Helps improve strut assembly operation by increasing damping and restoring smooth steering. Strut Mount Bearing: Allows the strut to turn with the wheels when steering the vehicle.
Signs of Wear:
Strut Mount: Suspension noise, uneven tire wear, suspension steering misalignment.
Strut Mount Bearing: Results in "memory steer" whereby the steering wheel does not easily return to the "center" position.
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6
Coil Spring
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Function:
Supports the weight of the vehicle and maintains vehicle ride height.
Signs of Wear:
Rough, unstable or uncontrollable ride (such as excessive bounce), excessive tire wear on one side (see "D" on right page).
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7
MacPherson Strut
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Function:
A space-saving unit made up of a shock absorber and coil spring assembly that links the suspension to the chassis and allows the front wheels to turn side-to-side.
Signs of Wear:
Irregular tire wear, play in steering wheel, wetness on shock body, broken mounting hardware, worn bushings.
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8
Strut Cushion
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Function:
A bellow that protects the shock absorber piston by sealing out dirt, moisture and other contaminants.
Signs of Wear:
Rips, tears or cracking of the cushion.
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9
Bushing
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Function:
Provides an isolated and cushioned link between the control arms and the chassis
Signs of Wear:
Excessive steering play, hard steering, shimmy, noise, irregular tire wear (see "E" on right page).
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Suspension System
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