Truck Suspension Repair Services in San Antonio, TX

Wheel Alignments

What are the symptoms of a truck with incorrect alignment?

Suspect a truck in your fleet is suffering from alignment issues? Some of the signs include

• Excessive or uneven tire wear.
• The vehicle pulls to the left or right.
• Feeling of looseness or wandering.
• Steering wheel vibration or shimmy.
• The steering wheel is not centered when the vehicle is moving straight ahead.

How often should I have my wheels aligned?

Follow the truck manufacturer’s recommendation noted in the owner’s manual. As a general rule, have your wheel alignment checked every 10,000 miles or at least once a year.

What are common mistakes to avoid when repairing suspension systems?

Common mistakes in suspension repairs include ignoring the air system, incorrectly installing leaf springs, using incompatible parts, and neglecting shock absorbers. Regular inspections and using proper parts prevent these issues and ensure optimal performance.

The Importance of Total Alignment

• Reduced tire wear: Improper alignment is a major cause of premature tire wear. Over the years, a properly aligned truck can add thousands of miles to tire life. Most tires are replaced prematurely due to adverse wear.
• Better gas mileage: Gas mileage increases as rolling resistance decreases. Total Alignment sets all wheels parallel, which, along with proper inflation, can minimize rolling resistance.
• Improved handling: Does your truck pull to one side? Do you constantly have to move the steering wheel to keep your truck traveling straight ahead? Many handling problems can be corrected by Total Alignment service. With all the truck’s components aligned properly, road shock is more efficiently absorbed for a smoother ride.
• Safer driving: A suspension system inspection is part of the alignment procedure. This allows worn parts to be detected before they cause costly problems.

Ball Joints & Tie Rods

Ball joints operate similarly to the joints in our bodies: they allow the vehicle to move around, and they provide a hinge point for the steering system. Like the joints in our bodies, they sometimes wear down and need to be replaced. Replacing a ball joint will significantly improve your vehicle’s steering capabilities. Tie rods are less likely to be impacted by wear, but they should still be inspected regularly to ensure proper toe angles on your vehicle; an incorrect toe angle can significantly impact the wear on your vehicle’s tires, which can lead to premature and costly tire replacement.

Air Suspension

One of the most common suspension types, airbag suspension uses a series of airbags combined with pressurized air and a variety of sensors and valves to give your truck a smooth ride. If your air suspension system needs to be serviced, bring your vehicle to Santin Auto and Truck Repair, where our expert team can make sure you are back on the road quickly. We’ll perform an in-depth and thorough inspection of the airbags and airlines to ensure there are no leaks along with checking the sensors for any faulty or weak signals.

Leaf Springs

Although an older type of suspension system, leaf springs are still quite common on today’s roads and within truck fleets. Using a series of stacked thin plates that can flex vertically, the springs are attached to your truck’s body using hangers or shackles. Leaf springs can rust, corrode, or develop cracks or warping that can compromise the springs’ performance, giving you an uncomfortable ride. If your truck’s leaf springs need to be replaced, our team can replace them quickly. We’ll also inspect the shackles for any signs of damage, replacing them as needed.

Contact Us

Proper maintenance of your fleet’s truck’s steering and suspension components not only improves driving but can ensure that other parts of the vehicle are not negatively affected. If your fleet trucks aren’t driving as smoothly as they should, set up an appointment with the experts at Santin Auto and Truck Repair Center. Our team will inspect the truck and fix any problems to make sure it is driving as it should.