What Happens When Your Axle Breaks?

The answer to this question is relatively simple.  If your car shocks or struts are becoming worn, hitting a bump in the road could cause damage to the car axles.  It could even cause them to break. Because axles are constantly rotating and flexing to accommodate different road conditions, they can wear out and fail.  

Axles are involved in the steering, driving, and braking of the vehicle, linking the power from the engine to the tires, plus carrying the whole weight of the vehicle and its parts.  The performance of your vehicle's wheels and suspension system is essentially dependent on the condition of the axles.  If an axle is bad, it puts extra stress on the shocks or struts, causing them to wear out prematurely. Bad axles can also result in excessive wear on your tires. 

Even though most people don’t keep a vehicle long enough for a car axle to break, it’s still good to know what happens when your axle breaks.  Here are several fairly obvious signs:

• A sudden clanking sound heard when you put your vehicle into gear
• Feel vibrations in the car when driving, braking, or going around a bend.
• Power is not being transmitted from the engine to the wheels.

You may also be wondering what causes a broken axle:

• Overload. When there is too much load, such as too much cargo or too many passengers, the axles may not have enough strength to hold the wheels in place.
• Metal fatigue. As cars age, the axles become more brittle and/or corroded, thereby reducing the strength of the axles.
• Off-Road conditions.  Again, because axles carry the weight of the vehicle, excessive stress and force caused by bumps in the road can cause axles to break.

So that your vehicle will keep performing as it should, schedule regular inspection of the suspension system to make sure it is in good shape, especially the axles and shocks or struts.

What happens when your axle breaks?  Call our ASE Certified Technicians at Rum River Automotive for more information suspension systems and to make an appointment to check the axles and shocks or struts.  Since 1997, our auto repair shop has served vehicle owners in Princeton, MN, and in the surrounding areas of Milaca, MN, and Zimmerman, MN.  

When should shocks and struts be replaced?

Are you having issues with your car suspension and wonder when should shocks and struts be replaced?  The components of the steering and suspension systems work together to keep your ride smooth and safe.  But these components do wear out over time as the miles add up.   Just like most of the other automobile parts and systems, shocks and struts have a specific maintenance schedule.  

So when should shocks and struts be replaced?  The lifetime of shocks and struts will depend a great deal on how and where you drive. If you consistently travel over bumpy streets and adverse road conditions, then they will want to be replaced more often than if you drive just short distances daily. Because of these factors, the range of when shocks and struts need to be replaced is between every 50,000 to 100,000 miles.  

So what are the signs of a bad car suspension?

• Poor steering response.
• When turning lanes, you feel the car sway to one side or the other.
• Your vehicle bounces excessively when driving.
• Braking performance is unbalanced.
• Vehicle nose “dives” when braking.
• Tire "Cupping" as the rubber wears off the tire all the time it hits the ground.
• Hydraulic fluid is leaking from inside the shock.

If you notice that there’s something not quite right about how your vehicle handles on the road, have the car suspension checked out.  When it fails, the impact can be risky.  If you want to improve your stopping ability, increase the safety of your vehicle, and increase the control of your vehicle, it may be time to have the shocks and struts replaced.  

Are you wondering when should shocks and struts be replaced?  Call our ASE Certified Technicians at Rum River Automotive for more information about car suspension problems and to make an appointment.  Since 1997, our auto shop has served vehicle owners in Princeton, MN and in the surrounding areas of Milaca, MN, and Zimmerman, MN.  

What Causes Car Suspension Problems?

The suspension system of your vehicle consists of springs and shock absorbers that work together to cushion the car from the uneven motion of the four wheels in contact with the road. A sudden shock from a pothole or other obstruction in the road can damage this system.  Over time, these shocks will wear out the components of your vehicle suspension, thus reducing the life of these components. 

As an experienced driver, you know that potholes and rough roads are part of life, especially during winter.  Many times, a large pothole in the road ahead can’t be avoided as it could be risky to try to swerve around it.  You find yourself cringing as your car takes the big bump.  Over time those bumps can add up to issues with your vehicle suspension and alignment. A big enough bump can even cause your car to “bottom out,” meaning the bottom of your car could hit the road.

The term “suspension” refers to all of the components that connect the vehicle to the road, such as tires, car axles, and shocks.  Although vehicles may vary in their suspension designs, they are all designed to do three things:

• Support the vehicle
• Absorb bumps and other shocks
• The vehicle turns in response to steering

When your vehicle suspension system goes bad, the results can be risky, as it impacts the steering and stopping the performance of your vehicle.  To regain stability and control of your vehicle, have the shocks, or struts, replaced.  This will also increase stopping performance.

Remember:  Don’t let damage from potholes and other obstacles in the road affect your car’s efficiency and safety. 

Wondering what causes car suspension problems?  Call our ASE Certified Technicians at Rum River Automotive for more information about vehicle suspension problems and to make an appointment.  Since 1997, our auto repair shop has served vehicle owners in Princeton, MN and in the surrounding areas of Milaca, MN, and Zimmerman, MN.  

How Do I Know If My Suspension Is Bad?

The term “suspension” refers to all of the components that connect the car to the road, such as tires, car axles, and shocks.  Although vehicles may vary in their suspension designs, they are all designed to do three things:

• Support the vehicle
• Absorb bumps and other shocks
• Allow the car to turn in response to steering

Some drivers may be wondering, “How do I know if my suspension is bad?”  If you are experiencing any of the issues below, call your professional auto mechanic to schedule a checkup of the car axles and suspension system.

1. Excessive bouncing when hitting a bump or pothole.
2. Vehicle “nose-dives” or “squats” when braking or accelerating.
3. Tire "cupping" as the rubber wears off the tire each time it hits the ground.
4. Hydraulic fluid leaking from inside the shock.

It is normal that shocks wear out as the miles add up on your vehicle. They wear out even more quickly when it is compulsory to drive over bumpy streets on a regular basis.  When your suspension system goes bad, the results can be dangerous, as it impacts the steering and stopping the performance of your vehicle.  Replacing the shocks, or struts will improve stopping performance as well as increase vehicle stability and driver control.

Are you wondering, “How do I know if my suspension is bad?”  If you have questions about suspension systems and the effect on car axles, call our ASE Certified Technicians at Rum River Automotive for more information and to make an appointment.  Since 1997, our auto repair shop has served car owners in Princeton, MN and in the surrounding areas of Milaca, MN, and Zimmerman, MN.  

Alternators: Related to Auto Electrical Repair?

A reliable vehicle depends upon the starting and charging systems to work together in harmony. These two systems should be checked regularly by an auto electrical repair mechanic so you don't find yourself stranded with a car that won't run due to a failing alternator and a dead battery.

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Take a moment to familiarize yourself with the purpose of alternators, starters and batteries below. The next time your mechanic says your vehicle is due for auto electrical repair, you will understand what it means.

• Alternators: formerly called electric generators, are mainly used for recharging batteries. An alternator converts mechanical energy to electrical energy which in turn produces an alternating current.
• Batteries: store electrical energy, used to power the electrical loads (power accessories) of vehicles.
• Starters: convert the energy stored in the battery into mechanical force that turns the engine when starting.

The primary function of alternators is to replace the electric current that the starter used up to start your car.  It also supports the electrical loads for the accessories.  Simply stated, alternators, starters, and batteries should work together in harmony to ensure a car that starts every time!

Have questions about starters and alternators? Contact our ASE Certified Technicians at Rum River Automotive by calling (763) 389-3811, or go on-line at http://www.rumriverauto.com for more information about auto electrical repair issues. Since 1997, our auto repair shop has served vehicle owners in Princeton, MN and in the surrounding areas of Milaca and Zimmerman, MN..

Regular Automotive Service A New Year’s Resolution!

The New Year is usually a time to make resolutions for the coming year. The year 2015 may bring financial challenges to many people and, as a result, you may be looking at keeping your older vehicle a little longer than originally planned. It's easy to overlook the small responsibilities of keeping up basic automotive service. Vehicle owners know that regular automotive service and timely automotive repair are investments that will pay off in the long run with a vehicle that will keep going strong for many more miles.

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Consider these three resolutions that will help maintain your vehicle, save you money, and keep you driving safely in the New Year:

Resolution #1 -- Schedule a basic automotive service check-up twice a year. A well-trained mechanic can spot problems ahead of time that you might miss. Taking the time to schedule an automotive service with a good mechanic twice a year may seem obsessive, but preventative maintenance is cheap insurance, and will help prevent major automotive repair later. A basic automotive service should include inspecting the tires, lights, windshield wipers, brakes, and car battery.

Resolution #2 - Keep up with fluid and filter changes. Checking on your vehicle's fluids and filters are crucial to its longevity, making sure to include radiator fluid and the air filter. Mark one day on your calendar each month to make sure all fluids are topped off and filters clean. It can save you some serious automotive repair dollars down the road.

Resolution #3 – Take care of small problems early. This is perhaps the easiest responsibility to overlook, but the potential consequences of doing so can lead to major problems and automotive repair costs. That strange noise you hear in your vehicle won't go away on its own.

Remember.... Don't put off minor automotive service. Your car will thank you by providing good service for many miles to come.

Need a quality automotive repair? Contact our ASE Certified Technicians at Rum River Automotive by calling (763) 389-3811, or go on-line at http://www.rumriverauto.com for professional advice about automotive service. Since 1997, our auto repair shop has served vehicle owners in Princeton, MN and in the surrounding areas of Milaca and Zimmerman, MN.

Advice From An Auto Shop: Keep Children Bicyclists Safe!

Now that school has started, remember that the number of children bicyclists has increased. On most highways, bicyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as vehicles and often share the same lane. However, Children riding bicycles create special problems for drivers because they are not nearly as capable of proper judgment as an adult when determining traffic conditions.  Be alert and avoid an urgent visit to an auto shop, or more importantly, the hospital!

One main issue is that bicycles can be difficult to see among the other vehicles. Riders are more exposed and more easily injured in an accident. The most common causes of bicycle and auto collisions are drivers turning left in front of an oncoming bicycle or turning right into the path of a bicycle. Oncoming bicycle traffic is often obscured and their speed is difficult to determine.

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To refresh your memory on bicycle safety laws, here's a reminder from an auto center:

• When passing a bicyclist going the same direction, do so slowly and leave at least a 3 foot clearance distance between you and the bicycle until you have safely passed.
• When a bicyclist is entering the intersection from the opposite direction and you are intending to turn left, wait for the bicyclist to pass before turning.
• If your vehicle is turning right and a bicyclist is approaching on the right, let the bicyclist go through the intersection first before making a right turn.
• Always use your turn signals.
• Watch for bicycle riders turning in front of you without looking or signaling, especially if the rider is a child.
• Be especially cautious in school zones and neighborhoods where children and teenagers might be riding. Watch out for bikes coming out of driveways or from behind parked cars or other obstructions.
• Check side mirrors for bicyclists before opening the door.

Remember: By following the safety tips above, drivers can help prevent auto accidents and accident-related injuries, possibly even saving a life!

Schedule an inspection at your auto shop to make sure all your lights and blinkers are working properly. Contact our ASE Certified Technicians at Rum River Automotive by calling (763) 389-3811, or go on-line at http://www.rumriverauto.com for more information. Since 1997, our auto center has served vehicle owners in Princeton, MN and in the surrounding areas of Milaca and Zimmerman, MN.