Under Carriage Diagnostic and Repair
DON’T NEGLECT YOUR CAR’S UNDERCARRIAGE MAINTENANCE NEEDS
Absorber whining or knocking sounds while driving could be a symptom of worn undercarriage parts. Always have it checked and replace early to prevent further costly repairs. An example would be an absorber that is leaking/ sunk will cause your tyre to to be worn to the side, greatly reducing the lifespan of tyre by 60 to 80%.
Maintenance and repair of the undercarriage suspension is the easiest and the most difficult task. It is easy if the parts are worn out. A novice can diagnose it easily if the parts are worn out. The most difficult was when the parts appeared to be in perfect condition or were hidden from view. It will usually only occur when the car is in motion, so that you cannot put your eyes and ears where you need them to be. The vast experience we have enables us to solve most problems in a short period of time with high accuracy of diagnosis.
A used vehicle inspection should always cover the undercarriage and structure of the vehicle, which may be unibody or body-on-frame. A hoist is ideal for this type of inspection since it allows a comfortable viewing position underneath the vehicle. The floor pans, sub frame, wheel wells, and the entire undercarriage should be visually inspected with a high-quality flashlight.
Be on the lookout for rust and different conditions between sections. In an otherwise moderately rusted vehicle, the appearance of a freshly painted section is a reliable sign of a repair. Many vehicles are undercoated to conceal fresh repairs, poorly welded joints, and rust. Make sure no parts are bent, damaged, or misaligned. Many bent undercarriage components will exhibit popped paint with freshly exposed or rusted metal. Wide gaps and improper repairs are often masked with gallons of body sealer. Tires and wheels should be positioned at similar distances from wheel openings on the front and rear of the vehicle.
Symptoms of unibody or frame damage include:
- Leaning excessively from one side to the other
- Consistent tire wear and pulling to the left or right, even after replacing tires and aligning the vehicle
- Being told the vehicle cannot be aligned
- Excessive or unexplained wear to suspension components or their failure
