Maintaining
Your Suspension System for the Winter
There’s little doubt that winter
causes problems for roads! The constant freezing and thawing and water seeping
into the pavement and expanding can cause cracks and potholes. There is nothing
good about what winter does to roads, and this can cause a problem with the
suspension system on your car, van, truck or SUV.
All of the added bumps and
holes can cause your suspension to work overtime trying to smooth out your
ride, and if it is not in great shape to begin with, it might not be up for the
job. That is why you should make sure that you’re properly maintaining your
suspension system as we embark on another cold winter this season.
What Needs to be Checked on Suspensions Before Winter Driving Hits?
There are many things on a
car that need to be checked as the cold winter weather approaches including
tire pressure, fluid levels, tire alignment and the need for anti-freeze in the
radiator and better windshield washer fluid in the reservoir. Along with all of
this, it is important to make sure that you check your vehicle suspension
before you start to drive on the punishing roads that winter will no doubt create.
To start, it is best to park
your car on a level surface and look from ground level at how your car is
sitting; if it sits lower on one corner you may have leaf springs that have
shifted or started to sag. You may not have noticed this on the more even roads
of summer, but rough winter roads could cause a sagging spring to bottom out
which can lead to breakage of the springs that can lead to a very rough ride
indeed.
After this, it is best to
remove the wheel and get a good look at the springs and
U-bolts,
removing any dirt with a wire brush to make the inspection easier. If you see
any cracking or breaks look into replacing the leaf springs before they get
worse. If the U-Bolts have become loose, see if you need to re-align the short
leaves in the spring bundle as they can slip if the U-Bolt is loose. After
re-aligning, make sure the U-Bolt is tightened to prevent further slipping.
Finally it is best to
lubricate with a silicone lubricant to protect your springs against the slush
and salt that winter will throw at them. Make sure everything is tight as you
put the wheels back on and you will be ready to go!
Turn to
General Spring for the Winter Season
Difficult questions require
expert advice, and if you are not certain what needs to be done with your
suspension system, it is the best to consult with someone who knows. The
service team at
General
Spring
have been experts in automotive suspension
products for almost 50 years, and are here to bring you the knowledge you need
to get the right suspension product for your car, truck, van or SUV.
If you are local to the New
Century, KS area, we can be reached at 913-829-0619 and national customers can
call us toll free at 1-888-829-0619 and we’d be more than happy to ship your
order. For the product knowledge and expertise you need to get your suspension
ready for the winter give our team a call today or
contact
us online
now!
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