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Maintaining Your Suspension System for the Winter
Each year, as winter sets in and daylight shrinks and temperatures plummet, people make preparations of all kinds to ready themselves for the cold weather. From sealing up drafty windows and doors to breaking out the heavy bed linens, there are all manner of things we do to keep warm and healthy.
Many automobile owners will even winterize their vehicles by changing the oil to adjust the viscosity, putting on snow tires and filling up on anti-freeze. But do you ever consider the impact of winter weather on your suspension? The fact is, the colder it gets outside and the more snow and ice, the higher the need for maintaining your suspension system for the winter. Challenges of Winter Weather and Your Truck Suspension
There’s little doubt that winter causes problems for roads! The constant freezing and thawing and water seeping into the pavement and expanding can result in cracks and potholes that pose a threat to your vehicles. 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. If your truck suspension isn't 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.
In addition to the risk of an impact with a pothole or debris that can damage suspension components, temperature swings, snow storms and other harsh environmental conditions also pose a severe threat. While metal suspension parts such as leaf springs are coated with plastic to protect from corrosion, wear and tear combined with exposure to road salt, ice and other objects can compromise the coating. Once water is in, it's just a matter of time until the springs begin to break down.
What Needs to be Checked on Suspensions Before Winter Driving Hits?
There are many things on a car that needs to be inspected 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 essential 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 breakage, 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. It's also an excellent time to make sure your leaf spring shackles and hangers, bolts and other hardware are rust-free and in good operating condition. Make sure everything is tight as you put the wheels back on and you will be ready to go!
Turn to General Spring for Maintaining Your Suspension System for the Winter Season
It's critical to learn more about the connection between winter weather and suspension maintenance. Difficult questions require expert advice, and if you are not sure 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.
General Spring offers a complete selection of leaf spring replacement kits for all different makes and models of trucks, SUVs, vans and more. We make maintaining your suspension system for the winter easy by carrying a massive inventory of economically priced products in stock and ready to ship. In addition to leaf springs, we also carry coil springs, add a leafs, and other load support and attaching parts for caring for and enhancing your truck suspension in winter.
When you partner with us for leaf springs and suspension parts, you benefit from reliable products from leading manufacturers that have been tested to meet or exceed OEM standards. All of our springs come with a 1-year warranty and are backed by exceptional customer service and technical support. We offer quick shipping across the U.S. to help you maintain, repair or upgrade your suspension for winter.
Get in Touch with General Spring Today
A truck's suspension in winter is at its greatest risk of damage and failure. Make sure your vehicle is in peak operating condition at the time of year you need it most.
Shop our website now, or contact us online to request more information on the effects of winter weather on suspension systems. We'll be more than happy to provide the product knowledge and expertise you need to get your suspension ready for the winter.
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