Suspension and Steering Maintenance on Chevrolet

The suspension and steering assembly is the only link between the car and the road. However healthy the engine may be, once the suspension and steering components wear out, the vehicle becomes both unsafe and tiring to drive. In all vehicles, including Chevrolet models, the suspension and steering assembly is the area that requires regular inspection because it is directly exposed to road conditions. Given the road surfaces, kerbs and potholes found across Turkey, this inspection becomes even more important.

What does the suspension do?

The suspension has two fundamental jobs: comfort and roadholding. The spring absorbs the impact coming from the road, while the shock absorber damps the spring's oscillation so that the tyre stays pressed against the road surface. The comfort side is easy to notice, but the second job is the truly critical one. The moment a tyre loses contact with the road, braking distance increases and the ABS and electronic stability systems also lose effectiveness. This is why a shock absorber is not a comfort component but a safety component.

Key components and signs of wear

Shock absorbers

The oil and valves inside a shock absorber wear out over time. Symptoms include the car continuing to bounce after bumps, nose-diving under braking, excessive lean in corners, and traces of oil leaking from the shock absorber body. Shock absorbers are always replaced axle by axle, that is, in pairs; if only one side is renewed, the two sides behave differently and the car becomes unstable.

Control arm bushings and ball joints

Bushings are made of rubber; over time they harden and crack due to heat, oil and age. A ball joint, on the other hand, is a spherical joint, and as the play inside it increases, movement begins. Typical symptoms are a dull knocking sound heard when going over bumps, vagueness in the steering, and a slight pulling sensation under braking. The progression of play in a ball joint should be taken seriously, since, though rare, it can lead to the part separating and a loss of steering control.

Tie rod and tie rod end

When play develops in these components, which transmit steering movement to the wheel, the steering develops dead play, the car constantly needs correcting on a straight road, and irregular tyre wear begins. After replacing a tie rod or tie rod end, a wheel alignment must always be carried out; otherwise the new parts will wear the tyre in a jagged pattern within a few thousand kilometres.

Anti-roll bar (sway bar) links and bushings

Anti-roll bar links are small parts, but they are among the components that make noise most often. A significant part of the rattling heard on rough ground comes from here. Being a cheap part does not mean it should be neglected; as the play increases, cornering support decreases.

Axle (CV) boots

When a boot tears, the grease inside is thrown out and water and dust get in instead. The CV joint reaches the end of its life in a short time. Spotting a torn boot early prevents a much more costly axle replacement later. For this reason, the boots should be checked every time the vehicle is on the lift for an oil service.

The chain reaction of neglecting the suspension and steering assembly

Suspension and steering faults do not stay isolated. A ball joint that has developed play first throws off the wheel alignment, a faulty wheel alignment wears the tyre unevenly, and a worn tyre increases braking distance and reduces roadholding. A worn-out shock absorber, meanwhile, cannot control weight transfer under braking, so it puts uneven strain on the brake pads and discs. In other words, a problem that starts with a small bushing comes back within a few months as a tyre and brake cost.

When should it be checked?

• At every periodic service, with a visual and play inspection while the vehicle is on the lift
• After hitting a deep pothole or a kerb hard
• When changing or rotating tyres, by examining the wear pattern
• When you notice steering vibration, pulling, or a new noise
• When preparing the vehicle before a journey

About wheel alignment

Wheel alignment means bringing the toe, camber and caster angles to the values defined by the manufacturer. These values are model-specific and are not estimated from generic tables found online; the equipment reads them from the manufacturer's database. For a wheel alignment to be meaningful, any play in the suspension and steering assembly must first be eliminated. An alignment carried out on a vehicle that still has play becomes invalid the moment the car goes back on the road. The correct order is: replace the faulty part first, then carry out the alignment.

How is diagnosis carried out?

Diagnosing the suspension and steering assembly starts with the ear but finishes with the eye and the hand. The vehicle is put on the lift; the wheel is forced at specific points to feel the play in the ball joints and tie rod ends, the bushings are examined for cracking, the shock absorbers are checked for leaks, and the boots and brake hoses are inspected. This is a fifteen-minute process and is far more reliable than guesswork.

Conclusion

The suspension and steering assembly is the system that deteriorates most insidiously when neglected, because the deterioration is so gradual that the driver gets used to it. You only remember how the car is supposed to feel once the parts have been renewed. If you have noticed noise over bumps, vagueness in the steering, or irregular tyre wear on your Chevrolet, you can book an appointment with our service centre for a suspension and steering assembly check.