Wondering do bad axles affect shocks?

Does it seem like the “ride” of your vehicle is getting worse faster than it should.  You may wonder if your car shocks are going bad or if the car axles are bad.  Are you wondering do bad axles affect shocks?  Some drivers may not associate bad axles with the condition of their car shocks. 

You may be wondering just what is the purpose of car axles?  Axles are the rods that transfer power from the transmission to the wheels. Axles also serve to bear the weight of the vehicle plus its passengers and cargo. 

It is vital to be aware of the critical function of drive axles and have them checked regularly. Though perhaps not as commonly understood, axles are as important to a properly functioning vehicle and vehicle safety as the engine, steering system, brakes, and tires are.

It is time for specialists to inspect your vehicle if you encounter one of the following indicators of axle damage.

1. Excessive vibrations:  Excessive vibrating may be accompanied by an unusual rumbling noise underneath the vehicle, strange tire wobbling, or sluggish driving and steering. This will cause other problems with car shocks, handling, comfort, and safety.
2. Loud Clunking:  If you hear unusually loud clunking as you change gears, or if your vehicle lacks power as you start driving, there may be axle-joint damage. This type of noise is an indicator that the transmission is unable to transfer power adequately to the wheels due to slack in the joints, or a transmission failure
3. Leaking Grease:  This can mean a leaking axle boot, which is the rubber cover over the drive axle joint. Dirt can enter a joint through a broken joint cover and cause failure to the axle joint and/or axle. 
4. Running in Place:  If your vehicle runs, but can’t move forward even though it starts fine, goes into gear, and has a normal engine sound, it likely has a broken axle.

You don’t have to put up with these problems any longer than it takes to get your vehicle to an auto repair shop so that it can be repaired by a reputable technician.

Are you wondering about do bad axles affect shocks?  Call our ASE Certified Technicians at Clausen Automotive, The Hybrid Shop, for more information about car shocks and to make an appointment. Since 1975, our family-owned auto repair shop has proudly served vehicle owners in Madison, WI, and the surrounding communities.

How does Wheel Balancing Affect Alignment?

This is a good question for drivers to ask as it means that they are aware that both correct wheel alignment and tire balancing are compulsory for the well-being of your tires, as well as the safety of your vehicle.  Tire balancing should be performed more frequently, while a wheel alignment service is not needed as often. 

So, does wheel balancing affect alignment?  Not necessarily.  Though, because the symptoms of misalignment and lost balancing are so similar, it is difficult to know which one might be the issue leading to damaged tires, suspension, and steering issues.  

How does a tire get out of balance, you ask?  Imperfections in the rubber and damage to a tire or rim can throw a wheel "out of balance."  Treadwear also causes the distribution of weight around the tire to change. This leads to an imbalance that causes the vehicle to shake. To balance a tire, the technician removes the tire from the vehicle and spins it on a calibrated balance.  A small lead weight is then attached to the tire to counter-balance any heavy spots.  Tire balancing is usually performed when tires are rotated, which is typically every 5-6,000 miles.

What if your car is out of alignment?  While tire wear prevention is a good reason to keep your wheel alignment in check, the penalties of misalignment can also play out in overall vehicle performance. A wheel alignment service includes checking the tread for uneven wear and an of the “toe, camber, and caster” which are the three components for measuring wheel orientation.  Then, the angle of the wheels will be adjusted to the position matching the manufacturer’s suggested specification.  Most manufacturers recommend having the alignment inspected every 10,000 miles.  

Whether your wheels are out of alignment, or the tires have lost a balance weight, watch for these signs:

• Vehicle pulls to the left or right
• Uneven or rapid tire wear 
• The Steering wheel is crooked, feels “loose,” or vibrates
• Squealing or wobbly tires

Wheel alignment and tire balancing service are well worth the little bit of time and money to protect your tire investment and enhance the safety of your vehicle.

Are you wondering how does wheel balancing affect alignment?  Contact our ASE Certified Technicians at Clausen Automotive, The Hybrid Shop, for more information about car alignment and tire balancing services and to make an appointment. Since 1975, our family-owned auto repair shop has proudly served car owners in Madison, WI, and the surrounding communities.