Suspension Repair in Safety Harbor, FL
To Fix or Not to Fix: Weighing the Consequences of Suspension Damage
Don't Let a Bump in the Road Ruin Your Ride
Driving a car with a broken or damaged suspension is like trying to walk with hurt or broken legs. The car will feel unbalanced and unstable, which will cause you to lose control of your vehicle. The suspension system is what gives you a comfortable driving experience, and that happens by smoothing out bumps in the road. Traction keeps the wheels on the ground as much as possible. But, over time, parts of your suspension wear out or eventually break. If this happens, is it still safe to drive your car? A damaged part must be repaired or replaced before the vehicle is driven. However, this can depend on the part that's broken and the kind of car that you drive.
The Costly Consequences of Ignoring Suspension Damage
If you have been in an accident, it's time to have someone look at your suspension. Even a fender bender can damage the suspension. It depends on the type of accident you were involved in and how fast the vehicles were driving to determine what damage was done. Road bumps, especially speed bumps, can cause damage to your suspension because of how your tires, struts, and shocks react to them. When you drive over a bump, your tires compress and stretch in ways they shouldn't, and your shocks and struts take the brunt of the bumps. Speedbumps are particularly troublesome because they're designed to have a maximum speed of 5 mph. If you're going faster than that, you're going to cause damage to your suspension. Potholes do much the same thing as your suspension as bumps do. As you enter the pothole, your tire stretches, and the struts or shocks absorb additional unexpected movement. Your suspension receives a second job when your exit wheels exit the pothole. This all happens in a split second, and if you hit the pothole fast enough, you can blow a tire, a strut, or shock. It would be best to approach potholes slowly and not pick up speed until you've cleared them all together to avoid damaging your suspension. Signs of suspension damage in your vehicle can include the car pulling to one side while driving, increasing bumps on the road, difficulty while steering, the car sitting lower on one side, and nosediving forward when you are breaking. If you experience any of these symptoms, it's time to get your car looked at right away.
Duane's Dealer Alternative Can Fix Your Suspension
If you're in Safety Harbor, FL, you can bring your vehicle to Duane's Dealer Alternative for any additional suspension work. We have Toyota and Lexus factory-trained ASE-certified technicians in our shop. We are a leading-edge auto repair facility with state-of-the-art equipment and the best-certified technicians in the area. Our technicians take pride in providing superior automotive service at a reasonable price without the headaches you find at dealerships. Our shop provides a 36-month/36,000-mile nationwide warranty through TechNet Professional Automotive Service. We also offer MotorVisuals, a system-based program that visually shows you what service repair is necessary and recommended. Give us a call today to make an appointment to get repairs for your suspension problems.