Suspension, Shocks & Steering in Hamilton

Suspension, steering and shock absorbers ensure your vehicles steering, braking and handling of your vehicle performs and that your tyres remain in full contact with the road at all times.

Suspension, Shocks & Steering


Our experts will inspect your suspension, steering and shock absorbers and appraise the condition of all components and provide you with an estimate, if required, on what may require attention.

Book your vehicle in for Steering & Suspension Repairs or Shock absorber testing
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10 signs of Suspension, Shocks or Steering issues

  1. Taking longer to stop - decreased braking efficiency can be caused by leaking or worn shock absorbers and may cause a WOF inspection failure
  2. Aquaplaning on wet roads -
  3. Unusual vibrations and sounds -
  4. Uneven tyre wear -
  5. Veering to one side while driving -
  6. Noises when turning - if you can hear noises when your vehicle is turning, you may have a suspension issue or it may also be a wheel alignment issue
  7. Trouble cornering - steering mechanisms are designed to be sharp and responsive, enabling drivers to respond quickly to changes in driving conditions
  8. Vehicle seems to bounce a little too much - a car’s suspension is designed to keep your tyres in contact with the road to eliminate shocks, providing a more comfortable journey
  9. One corner sits low - if you notice that one corner of your car seems to be a lot lower than the others, there’s a good chance you have a worn or damaged spring
  10. Unusual handling - does your car:
    • Nose dive forward (i.e. leans forward) when you brake?
    • Roll to the side (i.e. leans from side-to-side) when you corner?
    • Squat backward (i.e. leans backwards) when you accelerate?

If you notice any of these common signs of suspension problems above we recommend to book your vehicle in for a shocks, suspension and steering check as soon as possible.

Our experts will inspect your suspension, steering and shock absorbers and appraise the condition of all components and provide you with an estimate, if required, on what may require attention.

Contact us today

3 Benefits of Shock Absorbers

  1. Safety
    Worn shock absorbers lack the capacity required to control the car and adds around twenty percentage to your vehicle’s stopping distance seriously jeopardising the safety of all the passengers in the car
  2. Stability
    Shock absorbers enhance the friction between car tyres and the road improving car stability on the road, even recently paved roads have subtle flaws that force to the wheel to move up and down causing the wheels to lose contact with the road for a moment and then slam back onto the road. Without shock absorbers, all the energy of bouncing on the road would be shifted to the frame of the vehicle and the passengers inside.
  3. Comfort
    Good shock absorbers reduce the magnitude of vibrations to provide a smooth and comfortable ride

shocks, suspension and steering
Your cars suspension, shock absorbers & steering need to work, not only to pass a WOF, but to keep you and others safe on the road

steering, brakes, shock absorbers and suspension

FAQ's

Common Questions about Suspension Shock Absorbers and Steering

Faults in your suspension and steering often develop gradually. They’re not as easily identified and cannot be detected by a simple visual test, though any leaking of hydraulic fluid can be easily identified.

Over time shock absorbers also lose their efficiency which can lead to the handling and braking of your vehicle being severely compromised

In front wheel drive vehicles, the front suspension is further complicated through the CV (constant velocity) joint system, which transfers power to the wheels that also steer the vehicle. The joint itself is protected by a rubber ‘boot’ which is packed with grease to ensure smooth functioning. If the boot cracks over time, the grease can escape and leave the joint unprotected.

While these items are all checked during a WOF inspection - often items can fail in between those inspection cycles

We advise regular shock absorber and steering checks to avoid poor performance and car safety/handling. With a new set of shocks and struts your car will respond better to your steering and feel more attached to the road, making sure you have all 4 wheels planted firmly on the ground for optimal traction and control.

As their name entails, shock absorbers, literally absorb unpleasant affects of bumpy roads and unavoidable holes - their major role is to provide steering stability

When to replace shock absorbers and struts hinges on several variables, including how many kilometres a vehicle is driven, what kinds of roads it’s driven on, and whether it’s driven gently or with reckless abandon.

As a broad stroke we would expect shock absorbers (or struts on vehicles with strut-type suspensions) to last at least four or five years unless the vehicle has been subjected to extreme use. It’s not unusual for shocks and struts to last 10 years before needing to be replaced on a vehicle that has been driven most of its life on smooth pavement.

If you notice that your shock absorbers or struts look greasy or oily, there is a good chance they are leaking fluid. This means they won’t be working optimally when you need them, so it’s a good idea to have them checked professionally.

An easy check is known as the bounce test. Simply push your entire weight down on your car’s bonnet. Release and count the number of times the car bounces. If it bounces more than three times, then there is a problem with your shock absorbers or struts - contact us today to fix this for you!

Testimonials

Lian from Google

"Love these guys, down to earth people, polite, excellent services... been taking my car here for everything for 5 years now"

Harry from Google

"How often do you come across someone in the Automotive business willing to go that extra mile for a customer. Not often however, Affordable Automotive, friendly and a history to support any issues to do your vehicle. So call them and just maybe, they could have the answer you've been looking for to fix some ongoing problems. "

Noel from Facebook

These guys know their stuff!!! Took for a drive and instantly told me what was wrong and quoted what it would cost.. Final cost was far less than quoted. Gave me a ride back to work and picked me up when it was ready.. Great team and 5 star customer service. Would definitely recommend..

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Want to lower your suspension?

Vehicles must be lowered correctly to gain a Warrant of Fitness. If you want to lower your suspension, contact us for specialist support.

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