Auto Talk
Get your car realigned S
By Marvin Hatton Shimmying, shaking, pulling?
Safe operation of your vehicle is possible only when it is properly aligned. Looseness in the steering wheel, shaking, wobbling or a strong pull to either side results in unstable steering and damage to crucial parts. A vehicle is a heavy object that creates tremendous forces as it moves,
and resists change in direction. That’s why automakers developed a sus- pension system of ball joints, spindles, steering gear and linkage, springs, shock absorbers, and other parts that support the weight of your vehicle over the tires. It is inevitable that, over time, suspension performance degrades. We
all tend to grow accustomed to how our cars drive, and we don’t realize that damaged or worn parts may be causing poor steering control and tire wear. Most newer passenger cars have rack and pinion steering that can leak power steering fluids and may cause the steering to bind.
To help keep you safe on the
road, alignment technicians look for and inspect: u tire condition, tire air pressure u shock absorbers and struts for
leaking or binding u ball joints, control arm bush-
ings, springs and spring mounts u steering linkage, such as tie
rods, idler arm, pitman arm. As part of the ongoing main-
tenance, your vehicle should be test driven, and inspected and realigned once a year by a qualified alignment shop. Taking time to care for an
alignment may reduce tire wear, and you’ll be more in control of your car as you drive through the Colorado countryside. l
Marvin Hatton is owner of Valley Performance Auto Repair (
www.valley
perfautorepair.com), a AAA-approved repair facility (AAR) in Monte Vista. Find this and other Approved Auto Repair shops on pages 40-41.
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