Steering Repair & Suspension Maintenance At V&F Auto
Your steering and suspensions systems work together to control the direction and bounce of your vehicle. The suspension connects the frame of the vehicle to the wheels. It contributes to the handling of the vehicle and the comfort of the passengers. The springs, and struts or shock absorbers, absorb bumps in the road, and keep the body of the vehicle stable under braking and acceleration. Control arms, control arm bushings and ball joints allow the wheels to move up and down. The wheel bearing, hub and knuckle assembly connect the wheel to the control arm. The steering system transfers driver input from the steering wheel to the wheels. Tie rods push and pull the wheels in the designated direction
There are three types of steering systems:
- Rack and pinion steering system
- Hydraulic power steering
- Electric power steering
Rack and Pinion Steering System
In this setup, the steering wheel is connected to a shaft that connects to the gear called the pinion. The pinion connects to a rack on the front axle and controls the steering arms of your car. When you turn the wheel, this rotates the pinion which, in turn, moves the rack left or right. Without power steering, this system requires immense force to operate.
Hydraulic Power Steering
Hydraulic power steering is a slight modification of the rack and pinion system, where the rack is connected to a hydraulic piston and cylinder, filled with pressurized hydraulic fluid. The fluid is the key to the impact of this system— it multiplies the input forces making a slight turn of the wheel push significant power to the wheels.
Electric Power Steering
ncreasingly, modern cars are being produced with electrically-assisted power steering or EPS. With this model, an electric motor is mounted to the rack or steering column to provide power steering on demand. This has huge operational advantages—and opens up numerous possibilities for assisted vehicles.
Local Steering Repair In Agawam, MA
It’s important to have a solid grasp on how your vehicle handles so you can easily detect any changes in that handling— changes that could indicate a problem. As soon as you notice any symptoms of difficult handling, it’s time to see your mechanic. Some of the most common repairs include:
- Bouncing
- Swaying
- Squeaking
- Hard to turn the steering wheel
If allowed to persist, any of these symptoms can contribute to major problems that will quickly get worse with time. The longer steering repair or suspension maintenance is ignored, the greater the likelihood of bigger problems down the road. It is important to schedule an alignment service on your vehicle at least once a year. Doing so will help ensure your suspension components are configured correctly and do not get worn prematurely.
When you bring your vehicle in at V&F Auto, we’ll take the time to properly assess and diagnose your vehicle so we can develop the best plan of action for your vehicle and your budget.
At V&F Auto
V&F Auto Inc. is proud to be the best local auto repair shop in Agawam, MA. Since 1988, our family-owned and operated service center has been providing top-quality auto repair services to Agawam, Feeding Hills, Southwick, West Springfield and the surrounding Massachusetts communities. Using the latest diagnostic equipment, and high-quality CARQUEST auto parts, our ASE Certified mechanics can take care of all your automotive repair and maintenance needs. From oil changes and steering repair to transmission and cooling system maintenance, we’ve got you covered! And speaking of being covered: all of our auto repair services are backed by an industry-leading 3-year / 36,000-mile warranty on parts and labor!
You can reach us at (413) 789-2181 to schedule an appointment for any of these services or visit our shop at 443 Springfield Street Agawam, MA 01001. We are always here to help!
