AUTONET TV


Lean Times (Shocks and Springs)

Posted April 25, 2021 10:59 AM

You may have noticed your vehicle going through lean times.  By that, we mean it's literally leaning to one side.  When you notice that, you should get it checked out at your service facility soon because you could have a serious problem.

Many things can cause a vehicle to lean.  You may have problems with your struts, shocks or springs.  They all work in tandem to make your ride more comfortable.  The struts bear the weight of the vehicle's body, the shock absorbers employ a piston that keeps your tires in contact with the road and controls movement of the vehicle's body.  Springs also absorb impacts from uneven road surfaces.

If these components get stuck, either too high or too low, they cause your vehicle to lean.  That's because that side of the vehicle isn't at the height it is designed to be.  A technician will determine where the problem is.  Outside elements such as moisture plus hard knocks to these components can weaken them, eventually resulting in a failure.  The metal can get so fatigued that it breaks.  Often when one side of a vehicle is too high or too low, your service advisor will advise you to have the other side done as well.  That's because if only one side has new parts installed, it won't be level with the side that has old parts. 

There are a couple of other reasons vehicles can lean.  One is that the suspension can be bent or the chassis twisted, again due to wear and tear by driving on rough roads, over badly maintained railroad tracks or in deep potholes. 

Another reason your vehicle may lean is that the tires and/or wheels aren't all the same size.  Or one side might have drastically over or underinflated tires.  This can be a dangerous condition since the imbalance can affect steering and handling.

Considering what drivers put suspension parts, tires and wheels through, it's not surprising that they can be punished so much that they don't hold up like we want them to.  A level-headed driver will make sure to be driving a level vehicle by making sure these components are maintained in good condition.

AutoChoice Service Center Inc.
2009 S. Yost Ave.
Bloomington, Indiana 47403
812-339-9898



Search



Archive

December 2009 (4)
January 2010 (2)
February 2010 (4)
March 2010 (4)
April 2010 (4)
May 2010 (3)
June 2010 (1)
July 2010 (3)
August 2010 (5)
September 2010 (2)
October 2010 (3)
November 2010 (4)
December 2010 (5)
January 2011 (4)
February 2011 (4)
March 2011 (5)
April 2011 (4)
May 2011 (4)
June 2011 (2)
August 2011 (4)
September 2011 (3)
October 2011 (1)
December 2011 (4)
February 2012 (1)
March 2012 (5)
April 2012 (4)
May 2012 (1)
June 2012 (3)
July 2012 (1)
August 2012 (1)
November 2012 (1)
December 2012 (2)
March 2013 (1)
April 2013 (3)
May 2013 (2)
October 2013 (5)
November 2013 (2)
January 2014 (2)
February 2014 (4)
March 2014 (1)
July 2014 (4)
August 2014 (7)
September 2014 (4)
October 2014 (5)
November 2014 (4)
December 2014 (5)
January 2015 (4)
February 2015 (4)
March 2015 (4)
April 2015 (4)
May 2015 (2)
June 2015 (6)
July 2015 (2)
September 2015 (3)
October 2015 (3)
November 2015 (5)
December 2015 (1)
March 2016 (5)
April 2016 (4)
May 2016 (5)
June 2016 (4)
July 2016 (4)
August 2016 (5)
September 2016 (4)
October 2016 (5)
November 2016 (4)
December 2016 (4)
January 2017 (5)
February 2017 (4)
March 2017 (4)
April 2017 (4)
May 2017 (4)
June 2017 (4)
July 2017 (5)
August 2017 (3)
September 2017 (3)
October 2017 (5)
November 2017 (4)
December 2017 (3)
January 2018 (5)
February 2018 (4)
March 2018 (4)
April 2018 (5)
May 2018 (4)
June 2018 (4)
July 2018 (5)
August 2018 (4)
September 2018 (5)
October 2018 (4)
November 2018 (4)
December 2018 (5)
January 2019 (5)
February 2019 (4)
March 2019 (5)
April 2019 (4)
May 2019 (4)
June 2019 (5)
July 2019 (4)
August 2019 (4)
September 2019 (5)
October 2019 (4)
November 2019 (4)
December 2019 (5)
January 2020 (5)
February 2020 (4)
March 2020 (5)
April 2020 (4)
May 2020 (5)
June 2020 (4)
July 2020 (2)
August 2020 (5)
September 2020 (4)
October 2020 (4)
November 2020 (5)
December 2020 (4)
January 2021 (6)
February 2021 (4)
March 2021 (4)
April 2021 (4)
May 2021 (5)
June 2021 (4)
July 2021 (4)
August 2021 (4)
September 2021 (4)
October 2021 (5)
November 2021 (4)
December 2021 (4)
January 2022 (6)
February 2022 (4)
March 2022 (4)
April 2022 (4)
May 2022 (5)
June 2022 (4)
July 2022 (5)
August 2022 (4)
September 2022 (4)
October 2022 (5)
November 2022 (4)
December 2022 (4)
January 2023 (5)
February 2023 (4)
March 2023 (4)
April 2023 (5)
May 2023 (4)
June 2023 (4)
July 2023 (5)
August 2023 (4)
September 2023 (3)
October 2023 (1)
January 2024 (1)
February 2024 (4)
April 2024 (1)
May 2024 (4)
June 2024 (5)
July 2024 (4)
August 2024 (4)
September 2024 (5)
October 2024 (1)

Categories

Fuel System (7)Air Conditioning (10)Maintenance (9)Tires and Wheels (2)Battery (13)Keys to a long lasting vehicle (2)Exhaust (10)Brakes (16)Timing Belt (3)Fluids (7)Alternator (6)Service Standards (3)Service Intervals (2)Fuel Saving Tip: Slow Down (2)Auto Safety (5)Fuel Economy (8)Alignment (6)Headlamps (5)What Customers Should Know (83)Safety (2)Steering (10)Transmission (5)Dashboard (1)Tire Rotation and Balancing (3)Windshield Wipers (3)Check Engine Light (4)Wheel Bearings (1)Cooling System (9)Oil Change (8)Automotive News (2)Older Vehicles (1)Winter Prep (5)Shocks & Struts (3)Safe Driving (1)Customer Detective Work (1)Drive Train (3)Tires (12)Spark Plugs (2)Suspension (2)Water Pump (2)Winter Tires (1)Inspection (4)TPMS (3)Transfer Case Service (1)Trip Inspection (2)Brake Service (5)PCV Valve (1)Fuel Pump (1)Differential Service (2)Cabin Air Filter (2)Shocks and Struts (3)Engine Air Filter (1)Fuel Filter (1)

Reviews

Quote reviewicon

These guys rock! Thought my front brakes were going, turns out the rear brakes only needed cleaning. Saved me almost $400 & there's no more squeaking!

, 08/15/2024

Quote reviewicon

Had an alternator replaced. They squeezed me in and prices were very reasonable and they had a quick turnaround. Great shop and I reccomened them.

, 07/02/2024

Quote reviewicon

Autochoice is the best and do they ever go the extra distance! Today they carefully extracted a 4’ rat snake from inside my dash. Then they extracted a huge mouse nest the snake was feeding from, then they replaced the washer hose that the mice had chewed, leaving my washer jets nonfunctioning. All with lots of good humor and a reasonable cost.

, 05/22/2024

Partners

ASE (Automotive Service Excellence)
Jasper
NAPA
Napa
angies
angies
angies
Car Care Aware
TAP TO CALL NOW 812-339-9898 X