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Suspension |
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Shocks
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Springs |
Ball Joints, Idler Arm, Pitman Arm |
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Complete Car
Maintenance: Shocks |
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In a conventional suspension system, shock
absorbers help hold your tires to the road when going over
rough surfaces or stopping suddenly. |
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Maintenance and Care: |
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Shocks should be checked about once a year
and are inspected as part of AAMCO’s
ProtectCheck. Shocks
generally wear gradually and you may not be able to detect
noticeable changes in the vehicle’s handling or ride
quality; a professional inspection can pinpoint any
concerns. |
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Signs that shocks are worn are the classic
bouncing, swaying or rocking back and forth. SUV and light
truck owners may want to consider an upgrade in shocks,
which can significantly improve quality and handling in
these vehicles. Bring your vehicle to the experts at AAMCO.
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Complete Car
Maintenance: Struts |
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Most front wheel drive cars and trucks use a
strut suspension system rather than shock absorbers. Like
conventional shock absorbers, struts help hold your tires to
the road when going over rough surfaces or stopping
suddenly. Struts are built into the suspension system and
can affect vehicle control, wheel alignment, and tire wear. |
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Maintenance and Care: |
| Struts should be checked about
once a year (and are inspected as part of AAMCO’s
ProtectCheck). The shock absorber portion of the
strut will typically wear out gradually and you may
not be able to detect noticeable changes in the
vehicle’s handling or ride quality; a professional
inspection can pinpoint any concerns. Worn struts
can be detected by symptoms such as bottoming out,
bouncing, swaying or rocking back and forth. Bring
your vehicle to the experts at AAMCO. |
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Complete Car
Maintenance: Springs |
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Different springs are used in different
suspension systems. Many vehicles have coil springs, and
leaf springs and air springs are also common. Springs
basically support the weight of the vehicle.
Struts are built into the suspension system and can affect
vehicle control, wheel alignment, and tire wear. |
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Maintenance and Care: |
| Springs should be checked about
once a year (and are inspected as part of AAMCO’s
ProtectCheck). Springs over time can gradually wear
and break. Bottoming out, poor handling and wear of
other suspension components are signs of a worn
spring. Consider an upgrade in the quality level of
the springs if your vehicle often carries heavy
loads. Bring your vehicle to the experts at AAMCO.
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Complete Car
Maintenance:
Ball Joints, Idler Arm, Pitman Arm |
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Ball joints are a suspension component used
on the front end of almost all cars and light trucks. The
idler arm and pitman arm are used in conventional suspension
systems, typically on rear wheel drives and many light
trucks. |
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Maintenance and Care: |
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| Ball joints, the
idler arm and the pitman arm should be lubricated at
every oil change, if applicable. All suspension
components should be checked about once a year (and
are inspected as part of AAMCO’s
ProtectCheck).
Typical signs of these components being worn are a
vehicle that wanders or has erratic steering and
uneven tire wear. Bring your vehicle to the experts
at AAMCO. |
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