Steering & Suspension Services in Charlottesville, VA

Steering and Suspension Explained

With so many more visible car problems and issues to address when servicing a vehicle, it can sometimes be easy to forget about steering and suspension systems. However, these are critical parts of your car's chassis and maintaining them is highly important for both a safe and smooth ride. The steering side is made up of the steering wheel, gears, linkages, and other components which help direct and control the motion of your car. The suspension side is aimed at supporting your vehicle's weight and absorbing the shock caused by the friction between the wheels and the road. The steering and suspension work together to help keep you in control of your car, facilitate the handling of the vehicle, and offer a smooth ride. They also impact other systems and parts such as your tires, and can cause misalignment or premature wornness.

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 #342 in Charlottesville, VA, 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.

Why Choose Meineke?

Taking care of your car shouldn't be a stressful, money draining experience. Even more so when it comes to your steering and suspension system which is crucial for a smooth and safe ride. To make sure you are in full control of your car, you need a trusted technician to inspect and work on your SAS system and that's exactly what you'll find at Meineke - greatly experienced, knowledgeable and trusted mechanics who will make sure to get things right the first time around. We want to get you back behind the wheel in the most time-saving, cost-effective manner possible, so be sure to give us a call or schedule an appointment to discuss your steering and suspension needs with our experts. Having a properly functioning SAS system has many benefits down the road and will end up saving you money as it improves gas mileage, prevents premature tire wear and keeps your car out of the shop for longer.