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Tag Archives: Blaine Suspension and Alignment Shop

Top Reasons To Get Your Vehicle’s Suspension System Inspected

Top Reasons To Get Your Vehicle’s Suspension System InspectedEach part of your car should work properly to provide a safe and smooth ride. You will have a difficult time controlling the car and preventing accidents from happening if any of the parts are damaged or not working properly. The suspension system of a car is important but often overlooked. The suspension system allows shocks and springs absorb bump energy to provide a smooth ride. Your car’s movements due to braking or cornering are also handled by the suspension system. The suspension system of your car is very important. You should get it fixed as soon as you see any of these signs:

If you hit a bump, your car’s nose dives: The easiest way to check the condition of your suspension system is to watch your car when you bump into something. If your suspension system fails, you should watch for signs such as a frontal dive when you apply the brakes. Then bounce back after the bump. As your vehicle’s suspension system ages, you can expect a decrease in its ability to stop and the vehicle’s shock absorbers. This type of car can cause you and your passengers to feel uncomfortable and unsafe.

When your car is in motion, it makes a clunking sound: There are many parts to your car, and they all make sounds when you move them. If you hear unusual squeaking or clunking when you drive over bumps, it’s a sign that your suspension system needs repair. A clunking sound is usually an indication that your suspension system needs to be repaired immediately.

The steering wheel is vibrating or shaking: The vehicle’s direction is controlled by the steering wheel and its system. This component converts your rotational commands to the vehicle’s front wheels. You’ll struggle to drive if your steering wheel isn’t fully functional. If you have problems with steering or excessive shaking or vibrating, it is likely that your suspension system’s tie rods, springs or control arms are damaged. These issues can cause serious steering problems and make it difficult to control your car.

Your car pulls to one side: Your car’s structure is designed to balance the weight of both your vehicle and the road surface. Your car’s many wheels will allow you to drive straight or through curves with ease. If your car pulls to one-side while driving, it could be a sign of two things. Poor wheel alignment or your shock absorbers need repairs.

You notice uneven or excessive tire wear: You may notice that your tires are becoming more worn, pulling to one side, or feeling misaligned. It is time to have your suspension checked. Your suspension may be worn or weakening, which can cause uneven wear. Tire wear should be monitored on a regular schedule.

ASE-Certified Mechanics Available At Clark Automotive In Blaine, MN

Clark Automotive can help you if your suspension is having problems. Clark Automotive can diagnose and fix any issue with your vehicle’s suspension, whether it is a conventional system with shock absorbers and a strut-based system. This is a common configuration in front-wheel-drive vehicles today. Call us at (763) 784-7944 or come by the shop to discuss your problem. You are always welcome to come in!

Two-Wheel Vs. Four-Wheel Alignment: What’s The Difference?

Two-Wheel Vs. Four-Wheel Alignment: What’s The DifferenceWhile driving along the road, you may find yourself battling with the steering wheel as your vehicle appears to want to drift to the right or left without warning. Is this anything you have experienced before? If you are having troubles like this, it may be time for an alignment. When you have your vehicle’s alignment checked, you are guaranteeing a safer and smoother ride while also extending the life of your tires. In addition to having your wheels aligned, it ensures excellent drivability while burning less energy (fuel savings). While most modern cars recommend a 4-wheel alignment, your car may only require a 2-wheel, or front-end alignment. So, what is the difference between a front-end alignment and a 4-wheel alignment?

Front-End Alignment

A front-end alignment is also referred to as a two-wheel alignment. As the name implies, the mechanic will only perform wheel alignment on the vehicle’s front wheels. It may incorporate toe, camber, and caster adjustments, among other features. Some vehicles are equipped with a solid rear axle that never needs to be adjusted. In addition to doing a front-end alignment, the technician may be required to execute what is known as a “thrust angle adjustment.” In general, it is a method that allows the technician to assess whether each of the four wheels is “square” with the other three wheels.

Four-Wheel Alignment

In most cases, if your vehicle is an all-wheel-drive type with separate suspensions, it will require a four-wheel alignment to function correctly. As you could expect, this four-wheel alignment procedure typically entails the adjustment of all four wheels at the same time. A caster and a front toe adjustment are included in the service. The rear wheels will have their camber and toe adjusted, as will the front wheels.

Understanding When You Need Wheel Alignment Services

You don’t need to know or understand the specific differences between the two types of wheel alignment services. If you notice any indicators of wheel misalignment (for example, the vehicle is dragging to one side). In that case, your car may require professional assistance. The mechanic will determine if a front-end or four-wheel alignment is necessary.

ASE-Certified Mechanics In Blaine Minnesota

Bring your vehicle to Clark Automotive in Blaine, MN if you notice that the steering is a little shacky. To check for alignment, our ASE-certified mechanics employ the most up-to-date equipment. Allowing the situation to persist may result in excessive and premature tire wear. Clark Automotive can perform both two-wheel/front-end and four-wheel alignment services on vehicles of any make or model, of any year. Contact us at (763) 784-7944 with any questions or fill out the contact form to schedule an appointment.

Spring Suspension Repair In Blaine

Spring Suspension Repair In BlaineMany drivers take the suspension system on their car for granted, not realizing how important it is until something goes wrong. On average, a vehicle’s shocks support several tons of weight over time and will eventually stop functioning. A common misconception is that the sole purpose of suspension is to maintain a smooth ride, however, serious suspension has a domino effect on the control of the vehicle. There are some tall-tell signs that you need some suspension repair work.

Infamous Rough Ride

A rough ride could certainly be an indication that the struts or shocks are wearing out. When you are feeling every bump in the road or begin to hear knocking (metal on metal) coming from the wheel well area, it is a sure sign that you need to get your vehicle in to have its suspension looked at.

Uneven Tread Wear On Tires

If tread wear is uneven on tires, the tires will be shaped oddly and will begin to damage other tires as a result. When the suspension isn’t holding the car evenly, then uneven amounts of pressure are applied to the tires.

Leaning Into A Turn

Drifting or pulling is a sign of suspension problems, because the shocks can’t keep the car stable through the turn. As a result, you are in more danger because it increases the risk of rolling the car.

Greasy Shocks

If you can locate the shocks behind your tires, look to see if they are in good condition. If the shock has greasy residue on the housing, it could mean that fluid is leaking out of the shocks.

Unusual Movements When Stopping

Pay attention to how your car behaves when you come to a stop. Does the car dip or plunge in a lurching motion when you hit the brakes? A bad suspension system can slow down the time it takes for a vehicle to come to a complete stop. This can be dangerous and increases the likelihood of an accident.

Use A Certified Mechanic To Solve Suspension Issues

If you live or work in the Blaine Minnesota area, and are having issues with your vehicle’s suspension, schedule an appointment today with Clark Automotive. Whether your vehicle has a conventional suspension system with shock absorbers or a strut-based system (which is typical in many front-wheel-drive cars today), Clark Automotive has the equipment necessary and the knowhow of ASE-Certified mechanics to diagnose and repair any problem. Give us a call at (763) 784-7944 or stop on by the shop today! Walk-ins are welcome!

Suspension And Alignment Repair

Suspension And Alignment RepairClark Automotive is considered an essential service and so we continue to remain open and ready to serve the people of Blaine and surrounding communities with a wide range of automotive services. Even during relatively mild winters, Minnesota tends to treat our cars and trucks roughly, and your vehicle’s suspension is under constant stress from the road conditions that worsen in winter. Potholes are everywhere, and that means that cars and trucks are bound to develop suspension and alignment issues.

The weather does not need to be dominated by incessant snowfall to create road hazards. A period of intense cold, combined with rain, snow, or other precipitation will cause cracks in streets, highways, and roads to become potholes, which are made deeper and more severe by the many thousands of vehicles that drive over them every day. Even after potholes are repaired, unless they are repaired with great care, the uneven surface that results can cause suspension damage to your vehicle.

Suspension And Alignment Check

Clark Automotive has the experience and expertise needed to repair that damage to your vehicle. If you discover that the last pothole you hit created obvious damage to your suspension, the fix is likely a simple one. It could likely mean that your vehicle is now in need of a new set of shock absorbers or struts. Driving a car or truck after obvious damage has been done to shocks or struts may make this damage worse, so it is always smart to have your car looked at if you are concerned. If you need new shocks or struts, the task of replacement is, for a team as experienced as ours, pretty simple.

Alignment issues are slightly different. A car or truck that has gone out of alignment will pull to one side or the other while moving, and this increases the likelihood of uneven wearing of your tires. You may not notice that your car has gone out of alignment right away. But over time, hitting a pothole that might not have damaged your shocks or struts could have created the misalignment. Realigning your vehicle is also not terribly difficult when the service is provided by a qualified technician, but it does require attention to detail.

Minnesota Auto Repair Shop

Clark Automotive is known to provide excellent and cost-effective automotive repairs, and this experience is necessary to be sure that your car is aligned perfectly after hitting one too many of Minnesota’s potholes.
Call us at (763) 784-7944 or email us at info@clarkautomotiveblaine.com.

Suspension Repair by Me in Blaine, MN

Suspension Repair by Me in Blaine, MN At Clark Automotive, our certified technicians are here to help with any vehicular problem you may have. Frequently in Blaine, MN, we have customers come in complaining of their steering not working like it should. If you notice this, you may have a suspension problem. For all of your suspension repair issues in Blaine, MN, our team of experts at Clark Automotive has got you covered.

Blaine, MN endures all types of weather. With cold, icy winters and hot, humid summers, your vehicle is expected to hold up no matter what the terrain may be. For this reason, among others, your suspension plays a very important role in keeping you safe. If you have difficult steering in the snow, that could pose a serious problem. Some signs of suspension issues include pulling to one side while driving, feeling every single bump on the road, noticing that one corner of your car is sitting low, or feeling like your car leans back or takes a nose dive when it begins to gain momentum. If any of these things start happening, it’s time to bring it in for suspension repair services near you. At Clark Automotive, our suspension repair services in Blaine, MN are quick, efficient, and affordable.

Suspension Repair Services

In order to have a safe, properly functioning vehicle, your suspension system needs to be in good shape. This enables your vehicle to absorb bumps smoothly, steer properly and keep you safe on the road. Our team of experts can take a look at your system and diagnose any suspension problems. We have experience with both conventional suspension systems as well as the strut-based systems that are more typical with front wheel drive vehicles. Our certified technicians will take a look at your vehicle and utilize their skills to diagnose and repair any issues quickly and efficiently. We have all the necessary equipment to get the job done and get you back on the road in no time at all.

Your suspension system is extremely important for your vehicle. Do not go another day with a faulty suspension system in your vehicle. For more information about suspension repairs near you in Blaine, MN, give our experts here a call today. Call and schedule an appointment with our team at Clark Automotive. For more information or to make your appointment, call today at (763) 784-7944 or email info@clarkautomotiveblaine.com.

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