Auto Maintenance > Steering & Suspension
To maintain precise control, your car’s wheels need to be in firm contact with the road at all times. It needs to be able to absorb bumps smoothly and steer properly, which in turn requires a fully functioning suspension system with proper wheel alignment.
Think you have steering or suspension problems? Beside pulling and bouncing, telltale signs include uneven or excessive tire wear and poor steering control.
 My steering wheel feels loose, is something wrong?
There are numerous problems with a loose steering wheel, some are easy to fix while others are more complicated. ANy problems with a loose steering wheel need to be looked at right away by a professional. Do not put it off, a problem could easily lead to something critical and you could lose complete control of your car if the steering fails.
Importance of wheel alignment
Besides preventing excessive tire wear, a 4-wheel alignment also provides stable handling. If the wheel angles are wrong, then the vehicle can be unpredictable or twitchy during cornering or braking. This usually doesn't show up on good road surfaces, but water or ice on the road can make driving your car more exciting than a roller coaster ride.
What you need to know about your car's suspension
The suspension system has two main functions; to keep the car firmly on the road and to give you a comfortable ride. On the other hand, the function of the steering system is to let the driver control the course of the car through the steering wheel.
The very important job of a suspension system is to smooth out the ride while maintaining excellent control. A vehicle that does not sit level or has excessive bouncing or poor handling is demonstrating problems associated with the suspension system. Suspension greatly affects safety, so such a vehicle should be repaired before driving.
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