Time to come in?
Suspension wear is gradual, which is exactly why people stop noticing it. If any of these are happening, the parts are past due.
Sway bar links, worn bushings or a failing strut mount. Cheap to fix as a link, less so once it has been working the mount loose for a year.
Worn suspension components let the geometry move around under load. New tires on worn suspension wear out the same way.
Shocks or struts have lost their damping. It is a handling and braking issue, not just a comfort one.
Tie rod ends, a worn steering rack or loose ball joints. Worth having checked promptly — these are steering components.
Front struts past their useful life. It lengthens stopping distances measurably, particularly on wet or icy roads.
Power steering fluid level or the pump. Simple to check, and much simpler than replacing a pump that ran dry.
What we do
Suspension complaints get diagnosed on the lift, with the parts loaded and unloaded, because a worn bushing that looks fine hanging free will show itself under load.
We do not currently list alignment
Suspension repair and wheel alignment usually go together, and after suspension work an alignment is normally the right next step. Call the shop and ask what we can do for your car — we would rather tell you plainly than have you assume.
Suspension & Steering — asked and answered
How do I know if my struts are worn?
The usual signs are a floaty ride, the nose dipping sharply under braking, and the car continuing to bounce after a bump. On a lift they can be inspected for leaking and for play in the mount.
Why does my car clunk over bumps?
Most often sway bar links, worn control arm bushings or a failing strut mount. It is worth tracing, because the cheap causes and the expensive ones sound very similar from inside the car.
Do I need an alignment after suspension work?
Usually yes — replacing suspension components changes the geometry. Give the shop a call and we will tell you what we can handle and what the right next step is for your car.
Track down the noise
Tell us what it sounds like and when it happens. Monday through Thursday, 8:00am to 5:30pm.
167 Carbide Road, Plattsburgh, NY 12901