The
Chassis System
Your
car’s frame, steering and suspension components (the chassis system)
all depend on each other, because they all affect alignment and
steering response. A change in any one component can affect the others.
Since all of these parts work together as a system, it is necessary to
have each component checked when making adjustments or replacing parts.
Which Parts
Solve Which Problems?
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Idler Arms hold
the steering linkage in place. By replacing worn idler arms, you can
reduce vehicle wander, excessive play in the steering wheel and
abnormal tire wear. |
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Ball Joints
are the pivot points on which the front wheels turn. By replacing worn
ball joints, you can reduce front-end noise, looseness and tire wear. |
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Tie Rod Ends connect
the steering arm to the linkage. By replacing worn tie rod ends, you
can reduce front-end looseness, vibration, misalignment and excessive
tire wear. |
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Bushings
help dampen front-end movement, keep body roll to a minimum and help
dampen wheel shock and vibration. Replacing worn bushings helps
eliminate noise and play and makes handling safer and more predictable. |
Your Tires —
Are They Worn Like This?
Cupped Tire
Wear: Produced by an unbalanced tire condition, faulty wheel
bearings or weak shock absorbers.
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Scrubbed Tire
Wear: Usually caused by excessively loose, worn or bent tie rod
ends, idler arms or steering linkage components.
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Uneven Tire
Wear: A result of incorrect alignment or worn ball joints and
bushings.
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Variable Tire
Wear: Caused by a combination of misalignment, weak shocks, worn
control arm bushings and excessively loose ball joints.
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Remember:
A
correct alignment requires checking all components of the system. The
life of your tires and related parts can be greatly extended with
proper maintenance. That saves you money. But more importantly, a
correct alignment provides a maximum level of safety for you and your
family.
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