Without steering and suspension systems, Hays County, Texas motorists wouldn’t be able to get from Point A to Point B. Your steering system is responsible for changing your vehicle’s direction, while the suspension system maximizes car safety and stability.
But just like any other automotive system, suspension and steering systems can encounter unexpected problems. Here, you’ll find our in-depth explanation of what these systems do, their similarities and differences, and why you need steering and suspension repair work when these systems run into trouble.
Steering and Suspension Systems: Know the Basics
Before you can understand steering and suspension repair, you’ll need to know a thing or two about what these systems are. Though these are directly connected, they’re ultimately two distinct systems — and they both need to be in full working order for your vehicle to function as it should.
With that in mind, here’s what Hays County drivers need to know about their:
Steering System
As its name suggests, the steering system is designed to let drivers control the direction their vehicle travels in. The components found in this system include the steering wheel, steering rack, steering shaft, and steering linkage.
Suspension System
Meanwhile, the suspension system is responsible for protecting your vehicle and keeping your ride experience smooth and comfortable. This system consists of chassis components, such as springs, shocks, struts, bushings, and control arms.
Why Fixing These Systems Is Worth It
Even if you’re the most careful driver in Hays County, you won’t be able to keep yourself, your passengers, and other drivers safe without a functional suspension or steering system. These systems help your vehicle drive in a straight line, mitigate the effects of bumps on the road, and protect your well-being in many other ways.
That means that fixing these systems when they encounter problems is worth the time and money. The moment you notice issues with your steering or suspension, visit a trustworthy local auto repair shop for automotive maintenance and repair work.
Steering Problems Your Suspension Can Cause
Since these two are closely linked, issues with your suspension could easily affect your ability to steer. More specifically, these issues may result in problems such as:
Pulling to the Side of the Road
Damage to suspension components such as springs or struts might not seem like a big deal. However, this damage can have a negative effect on your car’s wheel alignment — potentially causing you to pull to one side of the road while you drive. (Since suspension damage is just one of many factors that can cause this issue, you’ll need to visit a local auto shop to find the underlying problem.)
Cornering Issues
Does your vehicle roll to the side when you corner? If so, your suspension may be to blame — vehicles without sufficient support can shift their weight more dramatically than usual during a turn.
Other Steering Difficulties
Pulling to one side and cornering trouble are far from the only vehicle handling problems that suspension issues can cause. Due to the connection between these systems, almost anything that goes wrong in the former system could directly impact the latter.
When Do You Need Suspension and Steering Repair?
If you notice any of the issues described above, don’t wait — set up an appointment for repair work immediately. It’s also wise to give these systems some professional attention after you’ve been in an accident, especially if your crash involved your suspension or front wheels.
Of course, these aren’t the only situations where qualified mechanics should look at your steering and suspension. Instead, you’ll want to get these systems inspected:
- Every 50,000 miles
- When you get brake service
- During routine service appointments
- While buying new tires
- During oil changes
The Costs of Steering and Suspension Repair
Unfortunately, suspension and steering repair can be expensive. Though the type of car you drive, the shop you visit, and the services you need can all affect the exact price of this work, you can reasonably expect suspension service to cost thousands of dollars. And while steering repair might be slightly less expensive, services like power steering pump replacement can still cost you hundreds.
However, ignoring suspension and steering issues will only allow these problems to get worse — and fixing them at that point will be even more expensive. Thus, taking care of these issues right away can actually help you save money in the long run (especially if your go-to car repair shop has money-saving auto service coupons).
Maximize Your Driving Performance With Reliable Automotive
If you care about your vehicle’s well-being, you can’t afford to look the other way when its most important systems are in trouble. Instead, you’ll need to prioritize steering and suspension repair — but not every auto repair shop in Hays County is qualified to handle this work.
Ideally, your auto shop of choice will employ ASE-certified mechanics, offer locations in Buda, Kyle, and San Marcos, and have a strong reputation around the area. When you’re looking for advantages like these, choosing Reliable Automotive is the way to go. Schedule your appointment for automotive maintenance and repair ASAP!
