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When you're behind the wheel of a car or truck, you're managing an extremely heavy piece of machinery moving at high speeds. You must maintain control of your vehicle at all times - which means you can't allow problems with your steering or suspension system to cause problems. Any mechanical issues with these systems can quickly degrade control of your vehicle, creating a dangerous situation for you and anyone else on the road.

Should either system break down, you need to visit a Cedar Park auto repair center as soon as possible, to make your ride safe again.

It's not always clear what symptoms point to genuine problems with your steering and suspension, but this is a skill all drivers should have. So, let's talk about common issues seen in these systems, and how much of a problem they can be.

I. Common Steering System Issues

The steering system in your vehicle may seem simple: you turn the steering wheel, and your car's front tires turn to match. However, steering systems actually require a highly complicated series of mechanisms to operate, as well as typically having computer-assisted "drive by wire" features as well. 

So, there's a lot that can go wrong! In particular, watch out for:

1 - Drifting or Pulling

When you take your hands off the wheel on a straight road, the car should continue to move in a straight line without any major deviation. However, if the car tends to drift to one side or the other, this is a big problem! In particular, if you find that you have to constantly apply pressure to the wheel to keep your vehicle going straight, that indicates significant issues in the steering system.

There are a lot of possibilities here. There could be mechanical issues in the steering column or axle rods. The wheels could be substantially misaligned, or you could have suspension damage. There might even be issues with the onboard computer.

Either way, you'll need a good auto shop in Cedar Park to diagnose the issue.

2 - Noisy Steering

Whenever you turn the wheel, you should get a smooth and quiet turn. If you get any kind of squealing, whining, or clunking sounds, that almost always means you have significant mechanical problems in the drive train. This is a dangerous situation since any sort of unwanted metal-on-metal contact within the car will cause increasing damage to all of the components involved. 

Get your car to an auto shop as soon as possible, so they can track down the cause of the problem.

3 - Difficulty steering

Has it suddenly become far more difficult to move your steering wheel? This is most likely an issue with the power steering system. In a best-case scenario, the problem is simply that you're low on power steering fluid, so be sure to check that before taking your car to the shop. However, mechanical problems can also inhibit the power steering system.

On the other hand, if you try to turn the wheel and it simply stops midway through the turn, that indicates substantial mechanical issues. If this occurs, your car is not safe to drive. Have it towed to a Texas auto repair shop.

4 - Vibrations in the wheel

Vibrations in your steering wheel are typically not a major issue in isolation - but they are often your first hint that something is wrong. It might be as basic as a wheel being out of alignment, or one tire going flat. You should check into the issue as you have time.

Just be aware, the more serious the vibrations, the bigger the problem. If the vibration keeps getting worse, you need to have your vehicle checked out.

II. Common Suspension System Issues

Your suspension system allows your vehicle to drive over uneven terrain or bumpy ground while minimizing the bumps you feel in the cab. Smooth suspension also improves the car's overall longevity, by reducing bumps and vibrations that could wear down internal components. 

Several different issues can affect your suspension.

1 - Excessive bouncing

The most common clue that your suspension has issues is that your ride becomes rougher and bouncier. Typically, this is an issue that starts out small but becomes increasingly problematic over time. Also, shocks will wear out over time, so it may simply be that you need to have new shocks installed.

2 - Tire and wheel issues

Issues with the tires and wheels can also translate to suspension issues. For example, if your tires are misaligned - that is, pointed off-center - that can put substantial strain on your suspension. On the other hand, some more basic tire issues - such as one tire going flat - can simulate suspension problems, so be sure to check your tires for damage before assuming your suspension is bad.

In addition, watch the wear on your tires. If one tire is far more worn-down than the other, this will also indicate suspension issues.

3 - Nosing or squatting

When you hit the gas or the brakes, your car should still remain relatively level to the ground. If you notice either the nose or the tail of your car dipping down, this typically indicates that your shocks are worn out and need to be replaced. 

Likewise, if you ever notice your car tilting to one side when at rest, this also usually means the suspension on that side has failed. These all call for a trip to a Cedar Park auto repair center.

The Wheel & Tire Superstore Is Also Your Texas Car Repair Center!

The Wheel & Tire Superstore strives to be your one-stop shop for a wide variety of auto needs. On top of our huge selection of wheels and tires, we also maintain a top-grade auto repair shop staffed by professionals with decades of experience. 

If you suspect you're having issues with your steering or suspension, please do not wait for the problem to get worse. Contact us to schedule a service appointment!