- 408 North Court Street Marion, IL 62959
- 618-993-2287
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The steering & suspension systems on your vehicle are two separate systems that work together to create a safe and comfortable ride. Both also affect how a vehicle handles. When certain parts of the steering and suspension wear, they can affect other components, including the tires. When you come in for service or other repairs, Hale’s Automotive on North Court Street in Marion, IL, can inspect the suspension to ensure nothing is worn or broken.
Most vehicles have two types of steering: Rack and pinion, which is more popular, and recirculating ball steering. Rack and pinion steering uses a flat, toothed bar – the rack – and a small, round gear – the pinion – to convert the steering wheel rotation into lateral motion, which moves the tires in the direction you need to go.
Recirculating ball steering isn’t as common, but some trucks and SUVs may use it. This type of steering uses a worm gear and ball bearings to convert the rotation from the steering wheel into lateral motion to move the tires in the direction you want to go.
Most vehicles use one of two types of suspension: Independent suspension and solid axle suspension. You’ll find solid axle suspension in trucks and off-road vehicles. Most other vehicles use independent suspension. Each wheel has its own suspension, whereas, with solid axle suspension, the wheels are connected so they move together.
When some components of the steering & suspension are worn, they can cause damage to other components, especially the tires. Issues include:
Several components of the suspension can cause uneven tire wear, including tie rod ends. If the tires are worn on one side of the tread or show a scalloped pattern across the tread, you most likely have an alignment or suspension problem. These issues wear tires quickly, so they must be repaired as soon as possible.
If the steering wheel is off-center, it could be a problem with the steering or suspension. Hale’s Automotive on North Court Street, Marion, IL, can check all the suspension and steering components to find out which part is causing the issue and replace it.
As you are driving down a straight road, you can let go of the steering wheel for a couple of seconds. If the vehicle pulls to one side, you may have an alignment, suspension or steering problem. The experienced techs at Hale’s Automotive can inspect your vehicle to determine what is causing the pulling.
If you feel a vibration in the steering wheel, you may have unbalanced tires or a problem with the alignment, suspension or steering. Because this can become dangerous, especially if the problem is in the steering or suspension, you should have Hale’s Automotive check it as soon as possible.
Because the steering & suspension can create safety issues, you should ensure a certified technician inspects it every time you change the oil. Additional maintenance includes:
Lube the suspension and steering parts that require it each time you have the oil changed.
At every other oil change, rotate the tires. The weight of the engine and how the tires ride on each side of the vehicle cause uneven wear. Rotating the tires ensures they all wear evenly and increase the longevity of the tires.
