Steering & Suspension Services in Saint Charles, MO

Why Are Steering and Suspension Important?

Steering and suspension may not be at the top of the list whenever you think about servicing your car, but they definitely should be. These are systems that help your vehicle drive smoothly and precisely. Commonly referred to as SAS, the steering and suspension system share some components, but they provide different benefits. The steering side is a complex chain of joints, levers and conversion devices that help control and guide your car, while the suspension side is made of springs, struts and hydraulics which keeps your vehicle at the proper height in order to absorb shock. There are two main types of steering systems: "rack and pinion" and "parallelogram", and they each require different approaches when you experience steering issues. The same is also true for suspension systems as there are many different designs available.

Symptoms Of A Bad SAS System

Although in most cases mileage is a pretty good indicator of when to have your car checked, with regard to steering and suspension it is important to look for signs that indicate your SAS system is faltering. The sooner you get your vehicle inspected and fixed, the easier it will be. At Meineke #154 in Saint Charles, MO, we conduct thorough assessments so be sure to bring your car in as soon as you experience issues such as noise coming from under your car (whether it's clunking, grinding, or rattling), excessive sway or lean when you're turning, or vibration in your steering wheel. Other symptoms may include uneven or premature tire wear or fluid leak from seals.

How SAS Evaluation & Repair Works

Having your steering and suspension properly serviced can save you a lot of money down the road as it could help eliminate uneven and premature tire wear, as well as alignment issues. Our certified technicians will conduct a thorough evaluation of your vehicle, including inspection of all struts, shocks and springs to determine any signs of wear or damage. Based on the results of the evaluation, we will prepare a detailed repair plan for you and go over all options, such as replacing or repairing parts, so that you can approve the entire process beforehand. When certain parts of the steering and suspension are replaced, existing wheel angles may change, so we always recommend wheel alignment with any SAS repair service.

Know Your Options

Like with any other services that we provide, our steering and suspension repair is based on a detailed plan that gives you options. Some parts can be fixed and worked on, while others, such as shocks and struts, need replacement from the get-go, but our expert and experienced technicians will always walk you through the process and explain the ins and outs of each option. They will also recommend any additional services your vehicle may need based on the initial evaluation or on the work that's being planned. These usually refer to tire rotation or wheel alignment (which goes hand in hand with SAS services), as proper alignment increases the life of your tires, improves the car's mileage and makes it easier to handle the vehicle.

The Meineke Promise

We promise to get you back to your life as quickly as possible while ensuring you enjoy a smooth, safe and controlled ride with a properly functioning SAS system. We promise to conduct a complete system evaluation in order to correctly determine the root problem and design the best repair plan for you and your vehicle. We always have greatly experienced and expert technicians working on your car, conducting all the necessary repairs that you approved, and making sure to have you back on the road in no time. At Meineke, we believe in transparency and trust, so we will provide you with a detailed report of our inspection as well as different repair options and plans, so that you can decide what's best for you.