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.  

Vehicle Suspension: The Ups and Downs!

You may be surprised to learn just how important a properly functioning vehicle suspension actually is.  Some drivers think it is fun when their car bounces up and down the road.  However, don't put off replacing failing shocks or struts. These are crucial components for safety that help you maintain control behind the wheel.

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How do you know whether or not you need the components of your car suspension system replaced? What does a shock or strut do? Every driver should know the answers to these questions, yet few actually do.

What is a shock?

The shock is essentially the component that keeps the "spring" of your vehicle in check. The purpose of the shocks is to dampen the oscillation of the springs. That's why you'll hear mechanics use "shock" and "damper" interchangeably. Functional shocks keep those springs in check, letting you enjoy the impact-absorbing properties of the springs without any undue bouncing after the fact.

What is a strut?

The strut, too, is responsible for keeping your vehicle's spring in check. It's more than just a damper though--struts also add structural integrity to the suspension. It is possible, though dangerous and not advisable, to drive a car without shocks. But a strut-based suspension without struts would simply fall apart, because the struts are part of what holds the front end of the car together. They're like super-shocks.

When do shocks or struts need replacing?

Your mechanic is the best one to answer this question. Shocks and struts aren't like wiper blades--there's no surefire way to determine when they're spent. Have an annual vehicle suspension inspection at your preferred auto shop. Your trusted technician can tell you whether or not it's time to replace your shocks and/or struts.

There a few indicators of failure that you may start to notice yourself, such as:

• Your car starts to "bounce" around after hitting a bump in the road;
• A hard ride (although that may have more to do with the springs);
• Your car suddenly starts swaying at highway speeds or wallowing around corners.

Shocks and struts are not simply luxury items that give your car a smooth ride! They are integral to car control, so when they fail, your car becomes a hazard to both yourself and other drivers. The best practice is to be proactive and have your mechanic perform a vehicle suspension inspection on a regular basis.

Replace your shocks and struts whenever necessary. Be smart and be safe!

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

Need a Reliable Auto Center? 5 Tips to Find a Quality Auto Shop!

Whether or not you have just moved into a new community or have resided there for some time, locating a quality auto center can be somewhat stressful. Trusting a strange auto shop with the care one of your largest investments, your vehicle, is no small thing.

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Here are some simple tips to get you started:

1. Do a search on the internet for an auto shop nearest you—or ask a neighbor or good friend for a referral.
2. Once you select your top three picks, take time to visit each auto shop. Ask pertinent questions and learning all you can so you can make an intelligent decision.
   
3. Pay attention to first impressions--don’t be fooled by thinking that the service from an untidy auto shop will be less expensive than the clean and fancy auto center with the neon sign and well-kept lawn. You are probably looking for a shop that you can call home for a long time, with well-educated mechanics, service writers, and any other shop personnel. You want honest, reputable, and easy-to-deal-with people who desire to satisfy their customers.
4. Talk to the service manager and possibly one of their head mechanics. This will give you an idea as to their customer service relations and their level of interest in your business. It will also give you a general idea as to their knowledge and skills in automobile servicing.
5. Inquire into their schedule of maintenance fees and charges and the details of making an appointment, loaner vehicles and completion of the work. You might also ask about mechanic training, certification and the quality of their systems and equipment.

Selecting a quality Auto Center can give you a great deal of peace of mind. Be diligent, do your homework, and your effort will pay off in terms of financial savings and vehicle reliability and care.

Are you looking for a professional auto center? We are here to serve you. Contact our ASE-Certified Technicians today by calling (763) 389-3811, or go on-line at http://www.rumriverauto.com/ for more information about our auto shop. Since 1997, our auto repair shop has served vehicle owners in Princeton, MN, and in the surrounding areas of Milaca and Zimmerman, MN.

Brake Replacement: Master Cylinder Troubleshooting for Brakes!

Are you feeling a bit uneasy when your auto mechanic recommends a brake replacement because the master cylinder on your brakes has failed? How can he tell? Or is he just trying to sell you an add-on job to the other repairs on your car. How do you know if he is doing his job correctly and looking after your best interests and your safety, rather than taking you for a ride with a brake replacement?

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Master Cylinder Troubleshooting Tips:

One sign that a master cylinder is starting to fail is that you will notice a soft or squishy feeling when you press down on the brake pedal. As constant pressure is maintained on the pedal (like at a stop light), it will begin to sink to the floor as the brake fluid leaks internally to the master cylinder. This is called "extended travel." You may have to "pump" the pedal to regain normal pressure and keep the car from moving forward as the brakes slowly release. The red warning dash light should come on to indicate low fluid, or excessive movement "travel."

The fluid level alone isn’t an indication of a good or bad master cylinder. Typically, the leak is internal, leaking past internal O-rings, so there is no obvious external sign that the master cylinder is "bad."

What is another sign of a possible faulty master cylinder? An external fluid leak could be possible, and would be visible to a mechanic during an under-hood inspection. The master cylinder usually has a plastic reservoir that holds the fluid, mounted with rubber grommets. The grommets allow for some movement caused by the pedal and fluid pressures. These grommets can develop a leak that can be seen with the naked eye.

Another sign of a possible faulty master cylinder is that the metal lines attached to the master cylinder can leak fluid at the threaded connections, or from the internal O-rings. When this happens, the fluid will drip down the power brake booster (the booster is what the master cylinder is bolted to). Brake fluid will dissolve paint rather quickly, so this kind of leak usually leaves a tell-tale sign of blistering, bubbled paint.

If you experience any of the symptoms explained above, check the following:

• Check the fluid level and add more as needed;

• Make sure the cap fits snug and is not leaking or shows obvious signs of past leakage;

• Visually inspect for external fluid leaks;

• Wipe away accumulated dirt and debris for ease of future inspections;

• Have your brakes inspected if more than 1 or 2 ounces is needed to top off the reservoir;

Are you looking for professional advice on your brakes? We will be glad to help you. Contact our ASE-Certified Technicians today for transmission repair and advice today by calling (763) 389-3811, or go on-line at http://www.rumriverauto.com/ for more information. Since 1997, our auto repair shop has served vehicle owners in Princeton, MN, and in the surrounding areas of Milaca and Zimmerman, MN.