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Ride & Handling System
Suspension System
Suspension System
Suspension System
The suspension connects the frame of the vehicle to the wheels. The suspension system keeps the wheels in contact with the road and determines how it feels on the road and how it steers during an emergency. Regular suspension maintenance improves tire wear. A car with misaligned wheels and/or worn shocks can cause tires to wear out faster than normal
The springs, and struts or shock absorbers, absorb bumps in the road, and keep the body of the vehicle stable under braking and acceleration. Control arms, control arm bushings, and ball joints allow the wheels to move up and down. The wheel bearing, hub, and knuckle assembly connect the wheel to the control arm.
Steering System
Suspension System
Suspension System
The steering system enables you to steer your vehicle in the desired direction. Most steering systems use a rack and pinion. As the steering wheel is turned, the teeth on the pinion gear at the end of the steering shaft move the steering rack left or right. The steering linkages and tie rod ends then force the front wheels to change angle.
A power steering pump pressurizes hydraulic fluid. When the steering wheel turns, a valve in the rack and pinion assembly opens, allowing pressurized fluid to help move the steering rack in the desired direction. Power steering fluid should also be inspected regularly.
Suspension System
Suspension Shock Absorber
Strut Mount & Bearing Assembly
Suspension Shock Absorber
Function: Minimizes 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.
Suspension Strut Assembly
Strut Mount & Bearing Assembly
Suspension Shock Absorber
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.
Strut Mount & Bearing Assembly
Strut Mount & Bearing Assembly
Strut Mount & Bearing Assembly
Function (Strut Mount): Helps improve strut assembly operation by increasing damping and restoring smooth steering
Signs of Wear (Strut Mount): Suspension noise, uneven tire wear, suspension steering misalignment.
Function (Strut Mount Bearing): Allows the strut to turn with the wheels when steering the vehicle.
Signs of Wear (Strut Mount Bearing): Results in "memory steer" whereby the steering wheel does not easily return to the "center" position.
Ball Joint
Contol arm assembly
Strut Mount & Bearing Assembly
Function: Serves as a pivot for the wheel assembly, allowing the wheels to turn in the direction the wheel is steered.
Signs of Wear: Rough ride, play in steering wheel, slow or stiff steering wheel return, excessive tire wear on one side.
Some ball joints are sold as part of the control arm assembly.
Contol arm assembly
Contol arm assembly
Contol arm assembly
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.
Control arm assembly including the control arm, control arm bushings and ball joint.
Steering Knuckle
Contol arm assembly
Contol arm assembly
Function: A connecting point between the tie rod and wheel, the upper and lower ball joints in A frame suspensions and in disc brakes as a brake caliper mount. A vital piece essentially connecting the steering, suspension and brake systems.
Signs of Wear: They typically outlive their connective counter parts and typically become damaged as a result of a direct collision impact.
Sway/Stabilizer Bar Link
Sway/Stabilizer Bar Link
Sway/Stabilizer Bar Link
Function: Works with the stabilizer or sway bar to reduce body lean and roll while cornering.
Signs of Wear: Excessive body lean when cornering, noises.
Sway Bar
Sway/Stabilizer Bar Link
Sway/Stabilizer Bar Link
Functions: The stabilizer or sway bar is designed to reduce body lean and roll while cornering.
Signs of Wear: Excessive body lean when cornering, noises.
Sway Bar Bushing
Sway/Stabilizer Bar Link
Sway Bar Bushing
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.
Steering System
Outer Tie Rod End
Outer Tie Rod End
Outer Tie Rod End
Function: Transfers motion from the steering linkage to the wheel hub assembly.
Signs of Wear: Rough or stuttered steering, play in steering wheel, inner or outer tire-edge wear.
The outer tie rod connects to the inner tie rod and the steering knuckle.
Joining the steering rack with the steering knuckle.
Inner Tie Rod end
Outer Tie Rod End
Outer Tie Rod End
Function: Transfers motion from the steering linkage to the wheel hub assembly.
Signs of Wear: Rough or stuttered steering, play in steering wheel, inner or outer tire-edge wear.
The inner tie rod connects to the steering rack and outer tie rod.
Joining the steering rack with the steering knuckle.
Steering Rack
Outer Tie Rod End
Steering Rack
Function: A long, steer bar that is meshed with the pinion gear and connected to the tie rods that turn the front wheels.
Signs of Wear: Excessive "play" in steering wheel, steering wheel vibration or shaking, unusual noises.