• Auto Steering, Suspension, & Alignment Tips, Explanations, Coupons And Discounts For Your Car

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Steering clear of trouble
Steering, Suspension and Alignment: It's much more than a smooth ride.

Your ability to steer is directly affected by your car's suspension system and the proper alignment of your vehicle's wheels. This section will illustrate how the steering, suspension and alignment systems of your vehicle work, and will help you know when there might be something wrong in this area.

• What to Watch For
  
• How Does it Work
  
• Why it is important

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What to Watch For
Here are a few symptoms to watch for if you think you are having steering, suspension, or alignment problems.

Excessive tire wear, poor steering control or an off-center steering wheel are all signs that your vehicle may have steering or suspension issues. It could also indicate improper tracking that results from your car's wheels being positioned an unequal distance from the centerline.

Symptoms of bad shocks, struts, or worn springs include excessive bouncing over road bumps, loss of control during sudden stops, excessive swerving while changing lanes, front-end nose diving during quick stops, and vehicle sag in front or rear.

If you experience any of the above, bring your vehicle to Midas for an alignment inspection or steering or suspension inspection.

It's important to have your car aligned whenever you replace any major suspension components or if you notice unusual or irregular wear patterns on your tires. Getting your car aligned is a relatively inexpensive procedure, and it could wind up saving you a lot in terms of longer tire life, better fuel economy, and safer handling.

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How Steering, Suspension and Alignment Works
When it comes to absorbing the shocks of the road, you'd think the shock absorbers would take care of everything. But you'd only be half right. Actually, coil or leaf springs handle the abuse of the road. Your shock absorbers handle the abuse caused by the rebound of the springs. They both work together to keep your vehicle under control. And those two components, plus a variety of control arms, shafts, rods, bushings, joints, and knuckles make up what's commonly called a conventional suspension. Many larger SUVs and pick up trucks still use this time-tested design.



However, many of today's front-wheel drive cars have a strut suspension system that combines the control arms and shock absorbers of a conventional suspension into one unit, eliminating the need for a lot of other components. Struts cost more, but they do more than conventional shock absorbers. Also, there's less stuff to break.




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Why is it important
Your car's suspension isn't just about a smooth ride.It's about helping keep people safe.
Have you ever driven down the road and had the feeling that your car wants to turn when you want to go straight? That's called pulling. Or maybe you hit a bump and the car kept bouncing. And bouncing. Not good. And not safe. At times like these, you need Midas.

To maintain precise control, your car's wheels need to be in firm contact with the road at all times. That's where your suspension system comes in. It needs to be able to absorb bumps smoothly and steer properly, which in turn requires a fully functioning suspension system with proper wheel alignment. That's where over 50 years of Midas expertise can help.

Whether your vehicle has a conventional suspension system with shock absorbers or a strut-based system (which is typical in many front-wheel-drive cars), your local Midas shop has the know-how to diagnose and repair any problem. We also have the equipment necessary to correct any alignment issues we might find.

Think you have steering or suspension problems? Beside pulling and bouncing, telltale signs include uneven or excessive tire wear and poor steering control. If you notice any of these symptoms, or if you have questions about steering or alignment, stop by your neighborhood Midas. You can count on our skilled mechanics to help make your ride as safe as it is smooth.

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