Steering & Suspension: All the latest on improving ride and handling

SAVE TIME AND MONEY

With Roadsafe Complete Replacement Control Arms

Roadsafe, one of Australia’s leading undercar component suppliers for the automotive aftermarket for over four decades, offers a suspension replacement innovation that saves workshop labour time and money while ensuring an accurate and complete control arm and related bushings replacement. The company has been one of Australia’s leading undercar component suppliers for the automotive aftermarket for over four decades. It says its Roadsafe Replacement Control Arms ensure that general automotive technicians and suspension specialists are fitting a completely brand new, OE quality specified control arm as a bolt in replacement with no pressing required. The use of Roadsafe Replacement Control Arms reportedly reduces suspension component fitment issues, by eliminating the process of fitting new parts into unknown worn components. Whether the reason for repair is worn suspension arm bushings or a worn ball joint, the other components fitted to the arm have done exactly the same amount of work over its lifespan. This means that in reality while still serviceable, these components could be on borrowed time, requiring dismantling a second time in the near future. Another complication with modern vehicles is the use of what are referred to as “time positioned” bushings – where the centre hole is offset rather than being dead centre of the bushing. The complication here is when pressing in a new bushing, the positioning of the bushing is absolutely critical and if pressed in only a few degrees out can lead to alignment issues, harshness, noise and most importantly, shortened service life of the bushing. This usually leads to a come-back job that no workshop needs. To eliminate all of these issues and create a better result for your customers, while saving workshop time for your business, Roadsafe says you can instead replace the complete suspension arm and get the job right the first time. Roadsafe explains that offers a vast range coverage across almost five million vehicles for these innovative suspension repair components. Applications cover local and imported passenger vehicles, 4WDs, SUVs and light commercial vehicles, with the range constantly expanding to meet Australian car parc replacement requirements. The Roadsafe Replacement Control Arm range includes upper arms, lower arms, radius arms and strut rods across both front and rear replacement applications. The quality of these automotive aftermarket suspension components is backed by a 40,000 kilometre, two year warranty, ensuring that you are providing your customers with a premium level repair. Top tips from Roadsafe - Sway Bar Link Performance

Roadsafe’s commitment to its customers’ success expands outside of developing and introducing new products, with its team frequently publishing expert advice to help workshops. When it comes to sway bar link performance, Roadsafe shares the following insights and tips for ultimate success. Various chassis parts will affect the way a car can handle, its tyre wear, the vehicle noise and vibrations generated, and the general comfort any commute. All of these factors have some impact on how a driver engages with and trusts their vehicle. Relatively simple chassis components, such as sway bar links, can have a very significant effect across all of these factors.

A worn-out sway bar link can create noise and vibration by clunking or knocking underneath a vehicle creating all sorts of noises and vibrations. When in good and serviceable condition, sway bar links will be silent and provide a confident sure-footed feeling that enhances comfort and confidence in any vehicle. Often sway bar links can be fitted incorrectly, which is known as being ‘handed,’ meaning that there are opposing left- and right-hand links fitted. On first glance they may look identical, but it is the small things that can get technicians caught out. It is therefore important to check the part numbers to see if they are in fact ‘Left Hand’ or ‘Right Hand’ to ensure that they are fitted to the vehicle correctly. If sway bar links are fitted incorrectly, they will not last. They may be noisy due to the change in operating angles of the sway bar, potentially making the sway bar contact and hit other nearby suspension components. Often the link will not be able to extend as far as required if installed backwards and will fail in a very short period of time. As this is deemed a fitment issue and not a product related issue, and given the regularity of it occurring, it is an important suspension servicing topic to discuss. It is important to note that a 4WD fitted with aftermarket suspension which has been raised more than 30mm also requires the connection from the sway bar to the chassis to be extended to compensate for the lift. When fitted correctly, sway bar links keep the roll of a vehicle under control providing renewed driver confidence in vehicle cornering and steering response. Roadsafe explains that it offers one of the most comprehensive ranges of sway bar link pins for OE replacements as well as an extensive range of aftermarket extended Heavy Duty options for raised suspension vehicles. All Roadafe sway bar links are E-Coated in a black, corrosion resistant OE style finish, and most applications include POM Inserts for long lasting durability; and each component comes with full hardware kits including nuts, washers and bushings. An expanding product range

Roadsafe states that its constantly expanding the precision engineered Roadsafe range through steering and suspension product innovation and development. The Roadsafe steering and suspension product range includes specific vehicle application engineered Ball Joints, Tie Rod Ends, Rack Ends, Drag Links, Relay Rods, Track Rods, Idler / Pitman Arms, Sway Bar Links and Control Arms. All Roadsafe suspension components have been designed and manufactured to meet or exceed OE specifications. The company’s own R&D and Innovation Centre is equipped with the most modern technology to custom design suspension components to best suit the Australian automotive aftermarket. All of its products are available from Burson Auto Parts and other quality independent auto parts resellers nationwide; with warehouse locations across multiple states ensuring high demand is met by strong national supply rates, supported by industry leading print and online cataloguing. A new look

Roadsafe recently embarked on a new brand marketing platform that it says captures the factors that make Roadsafe the country’s “unparalleled leader for these integral automotive replacement products.” “Roadsafe - For The Road Ahead” is said to signify how this Australian steering and suspension component brand is always moving forward, constantly expanding the precision engineered Roadsafe range through suspension product innovation and development. A brand new Roadsafe logo accompanies the new “For The Road Ahead” positioning statement, along with brand new product packaging, a new website and new marketing collateral across all of the Roadsafe product categories. These categories include Roadsafe STR (Street and Passenger Vehicles), Roadsafe 4WD, Roadsafe HD (Heavy Duty) and Roadsafe CLS (Classic Vehicles). These product segments are boosted by new and innovative steering and suspension components engineered by Aussies for Aussies in order to best meet the demands of our specific driving conditions. To find out more about Roadsafe, call 03 8687 1700 or visit www.roadsafe.com.au

FOR A SMOOTH RIDE

Carbon Offroad says with new products, it is providing a smooth ride for LC200 owners

Carbon Offroad says it is a business to watch, quickly stamping its authority on the upper end of the performance shock market. The team behind the company says its focus on custom made premium performance solutions in shock absorber supply sets Carbon Offroad apart from any other business in Australia. A recent release is the Monotube 2.5 inch Big Bore OE Replacement Coilover and Rear Shock Kit for the LC200 Landcruiser. The MT2.5 shocks feature a “massive” 63.5mm diameter outside body, with an impressive 3.75mm wall thickness on the brushed finished nickel-plated steel shock housings. Carbon Offroad explains that the housings are precision machined and highly polished internally for minimal oil contamination, and low friction during operation. The shafts are 18mm thick and feature a heavyduty custom-made strut top mount with natural rubber bushings to aid in lowering NVH and improving ride quality. The end bushing housings on the shocks are machined 6061 T6 alloy and feature either Teflon coated rose joints or natural rubber bushings. Carbon Offroad states the valving system uses a high flow variable velocity valve stack design giving arguably what is the best on road driving comfort found in the market, along with true high performance vehicle handling characteristics. Further, Carbon Offroad asserts that the seal head design is one not seen on the open market before. It says this has led to supreme reliability in the harsh road conditions we see here in Australia. Proven from Cape York to Kununurra and through some of the toughest conditions in the Victorian High Country, Tasmania, Fraser Island and Western Australia, Carbon Offroad says the seal head design is definitely one of the most reliable in the Australian market, with not one seal leak seen in over 200,000km of pre market testing. To date, through testing and initial rollout to market, Carbon Offroad says not a single 2.5 body monotube shock from Carbon Offroad has suffered a failure in seal leakage, bushing failure, shaft breakage or any other common issue found across other products on the market. It says this is a testament to the time and commitment the team at Carbon Offroad have invested in supplying what is “the highest quality, most reliable monotube shock absorber from an

PEDDERS PARABOLIC LEAF SPRINGS

For 70 Series LandCruiser

Pedders Suspension and Brakes says it is proud to release its new Parabolic Leaf Spring set for the Toyota LandCruiser 70 Series. The parabolic leaf spring is designed to be uprated with increased height which is better suited to tough Australian conditions as Parabolic springs are more flexible than traditional multi-leaf springs. Parabolic leaf springs feature a tapered length of spring steel, consisting of fewer laminates while continuing to offer a progressive spring rate with increased ride comfort. Parabolic leaf springs weigh less than multi-leaf packs, and Pedders Suspension and Brakes says they are therefore easier and safer to install. Further, it states the reason why Pedders Parabolic springs are able to offer a premium ride quality is due to the dramatically reduced inter-leaf friction. It states this also allows for increased articulation with less restriction of a traditional multi-leaf spring, providing superior off-road performance. Key features and benefits include:

• Uprated capability to handle weight • Improved bump stop clearance and ride height • Superior flexibility and articulation • Longer service life compared to regular leaf springs • Two-Year/40,000km nationwide warranty Pedders expands Tesla product range

Pedders has also recently added to its catalogue range of replacement and upgrade suspension parts to suit the Tesla Model 3 rear wheel drive (RWD), long range allwheel drive (AWD) and performance (AWD) models. Now available is a new Coilover Kit, Lowering Springs and Replacement Shock Absorbers, expanding the range of vehicle-specific products on offer for the electric vehicle. Across the Sports and Performance range, Pedders now offers eXtreme XA Adjustable Coilovers for both RWD and AWD/Performance Tesla Model 3 vehicles. Pedders eXtreme Adjustable Coilovers are its ultimate performance suspension product which allows the driver to quickly adjust suspension firmness and handling feel, while also setting the ride height to their exact requirements. Pedders says these coilovers feature a 30 position adjustment dial for both front and rear coilovers, and they are designed using the lessons learnt from its experience in motorsport. Pedders now also offers lowering springs to suit both RWD and AWD/Performance Tesla Model 3 vehicles, providing improved handling and visual appeal in a cost-effective way. Pedders’ range of shock absorbers are also now available to suit all model 3 Tesla vehicles. All of these new products are offered with a twoyear/40,000km nationwide warranty. For more information, visit www.pedders.com.au

Australia company ever seen at the premium end of the market.” With an RRP of $2995 for fully assembled coil overs and a rear shocks kit with adjuster spanner, Carbon Offroad says “there is simply nothing else on the market that compares.” For more information or to sign on as a new Carbon Offroad dealer, please visit www.carbonoffroad.com.au

AUTO ONE ADDS TEKNOROT

The Teknorot brand has been added to Auto One’s product portfolio

Established in 1988, Auto One says it is a champion of the independent network in Australia. Hosting two banner groups, Auto One and A1 Autoparts, the Auto One group has more than 80 stores Australia-wide and remains the only independently owned national chain in the automotive parts industry. Already home to over 110 industry brands, Auto One says it is thrilled to announce the latest addition to its online and in-store offerings: Teknorot products. “Auto One is honoured to be working with Teknorot to deliver its range of products to the Australian Market,” Auto One Head of Merchandise, Sean Hegarty, said. “Teknorot’s product offering greatly adds to our ever-expanding list of industry brands and honours our commitment to selling the biggest brands at the most affordable prices.” Auto One states that Teknorot is Europe’s largest manufacturer of steering and suspension components for passenger cars and light commercial vehicles. It says Teknorot prioritises customer satisfaction, ensuring that all its products are equal to, or superior quality than original parts. Auto One will stock the following products from the Teknorot range: • Stabiliser bars • Sway bars • Tie rods • Ball joint • Lateral arms • Control arms • Control arm repair kits Customers can select the best Teknorot product suitable for their vehicle, through the Auto One My Garage service. To access My Garage, users enter their registration number and/or search for their vehicle make, model and year through the Auto One website. Then users can filter the results by the Teknorot brand. Alternatively, in-store Auto One team members can provide professional advice on what Teknorot product will work best for the customer’s vehicle. For more information and store locations, please visit www.autoone.com.au

STEERING TIPS FROM ZF AFTERMARKET

Suspension and steering parts must be checked regularly, as they play a decisive role in the safe handling of a car

The experts at ZF Aftermarket have shared some useful tips when it comes to inspecting, diagnosing and replacing common steering and suspension components. Strut Mounts

The top fastening of the suspension strut is attached to the chassis via the strut mount. As the strut mount must have both a damping force and a rotatable mounting for unhindered steering resetting, there are strict requirements for its function and wear resistance. A worn or defective strut mount can be recognised by various symptoms, including squeaking during spring movements of the chassis; poor cornering; crackling noises during steering wheel movements; restricted resetting of the steering after cornering; and knocking sounds when driving over uneven surfaces. If the suspension strut mount has been checked and a defect has been detected, ZF Aftermarket recommends that it should be replaced as follows: 1. Remove the wheels. 2. Remove the suspension strut and clamp it in an appropriate fixture. 3. Compress the suspension spring using a spring tensioner until it is released from the seat of the suspension strut mount 4. Remove the nut on the damper connecting rod. 5. Position the new strut mount in its installation position. In doing so, check that the lower part of the mount is seated correctly on the suspension spring. 6. Fit the bolts and fastening components and tighten the lock nuts to the torque specified by the vehicle manufacturer. 7. Carefully release the spring tensioner. In the process, continue to check that the suspension spring is placed on the strut mount and on the suspension strut plate correctly. 8. Refit the suspension strut in the vehicle. 9. Refit the wheels and perform a full wheel alignment. Finally carry out a test drive. TIP: Like other chassis components, suspension strut mounts should always be replaced in pairs. Control Arms

Control arms are installed as pairs on the front and rear axle, connecting the chassis to the wheels. A defective control arm can manifest in the following ways: noise (squeaking, creaking, rumbling); deteriorating driveability; increasingly woolly and imprecise steering; and uneven tyre wear. The exact steps are set by the relevant vehicle manufacturer, with the below steps from ZF Aftermarket a guide for workshops to follow: 1. Lift the vehicle using a car lift, which makes it easier to correctly tighten the control arm fixing screws.

TIP: Depending on the axle design, the control arm may need to be secured against falling with a suitable device, for example, a transmission lifter. 2. Treat the fixing screws and nuts of the control arm with rust solvent for a few minutes to loosen the components. 3. On vehicles with automotive headlight levelling, it may be necessary to detach the levelling sensor from the control arm. 4. If the stabiliser is connected to the control arm, loosen and remove the corresponding stabiliser fixing screws. 5. Loosen and remove the control arm fixing screws. 6. Loosen the ball joint at the steering knuckle with a suitable tool, such as a puller. 7. Remove the old control arm. 8. Clean the mounting flange of the ball joint on the steering knuckle with sandpaper and then brake cleaner. This is to prevent single rust particles entering the new control arm joint via the ball pin, potentially leading to premature failure of the joint. 9. Fit the new control arm with the supplied accessories and attach new fixing screws and nuts. 10.Reattach the stabiliser and, if applicable, the

levelling senor for the headlight levelling to the control arm. 11.Lower the vehicle until the suspension is compressed. 12.Tighten the fixing screws with the torque specified by the vehicle manufacturer. 13.Lower the vehicle entirely. 14.Measure the chassis and adjust if necessary. 15.Check and, if necessary, adjust the headlight settings on vehicles with automotive headlight levelling where the levelling sensor is attached to the control arm. 16.To conclude, test-drive the vehicle.

TIP: If the control arm is in working order, it is possible to only replace the defective bearings and joints; however, replacing bearings, bushings and ball joints can be complex and costly. Replacing the entire arm is generally safer and often less expensive. Replacement Parts from ZF Aftermarket

ZF says its Lemförder brand is one of the world’s leading brands in suspension and steering technology in the automotive sector. Part of ZF’s global portfolio of premium brands, Lemförder products are fitted as original equipment and available to the aftermarket for passenger cars, light trucks and larger commercial vehicles. Passenger car steering and chassis parts from Lemförder include stabiliser mounts and links, rubber-to-metal components like axle bearings and suspension and strut mounts, control arms and bearings, tie rods and suspension joints. Also available from ZF in Oceania are OEM-quality Sachs shock absorbers and TRW steering and suspension components. For additional information, visit www.aftermarket.zf.com

STEERING YOU IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION

Steering, Suspension and Alignment: it is much more than a smooth ride

An accurate and early diagnosis of a potential issue can help keep your customers safe and save them money. “Excessive tyre wear, poor steering control or an off-centre steering wheel are all signs that your customer’s vehicle may have steering or suspension issues,” Carline Automotive General Manager, Brad Gilliland, said. “Several items can affect steering and ride control, and our skilled automotive technicians are trained to quickly identify these faults to bring them to our customers’ attention.” A properly maintained steering and suspension system is critical as it provides optimal ride comfort and maximises handling performance. “Even if used in normal road conditions, every vehicle will eventually experience reduced vehicle stability and driver control because of the wear and tear on shocks, struts, and springs,” Brad said. “Regular suspension and steering services can help your customers avoid premature tyre wear and expensive repairs.” When it comes to absorbing bumps, many vehicle owners are under the impression that their shock absorbers take care of everything, but they are only half right. “Coil or leaf springs handle most of a vehicle’s ride compliance, while shock-absorbers manage the rebound of the springs, and it is the combination of which help keep your vehicle under control,” Brad said. Symptoms of worn shocks, struts and springs include excessive bouncing over road bumps, loss of control during sudden stops, excessive swerving while changing lanes, front-end nosediving during hard braking, and vehicle sag in the front or rear. Steering is directly affected by suspension performance and is impacted further by accurate wheel alignment. “It’s important to complete a wheel alignment when major suspension components are replaced,” Brad said. “If you notice unusual or irregular wear patterns on your customers’ tyres, recommending a wheel alignment is a relatively inexpensive procedure. “It could save them a lot in terms of longer tyre life, better fuel economy, and safer handling.” Carline has its origins in the USA as part of Tenneco Automotive. Following its success in the states, Carline was launched in Australia in the early 1990s. Over the last 30-plus years, Carline says it has endured and grown, cementing its position as “one of the best-established and well-respected brands in automotive repairs and maintenance.” For more information, visit www.carline.com.au

SUSPENSION ANALYSIS TIPS FROM BILSTEIN

The suspension expert has released its latest Suspension Fundamentals video, focusing on shock absorber fault analysis and diagnosis

Not all shock absorbers are the same. From Mono-tube shock absorbers to twin-tube shock absorbers and electronic systems, each different type requires a different approach to fault analysis in the workshop. Bilstein says all the information workshops need on this subject can be found in part five of its video series, Suspension Fundamentals – powered by Bilstein Academy – the highlights of which are detailed here. Mono-tube and twin-tube shock absorbers

Whether you are dealing with a mono-tube or a twin-tube shock absorber is not always obvious at first glance. “Shock absorbers where the tube tapers are usually a twin-tube shock absorber because there is another tube inside,” Bilstein Academy Head, Rainer Popiol, said. “The mono-tube shock absorber is always cylindrical in its design because the working piston travels through the entire tube.” In the mono-tube shock absorber, the working piston operates in a tube, with the working chamber (filled with oil) and the piston chamber located here between the closure package and a separating piston. From the piston chamber, the oil is pressed back and forth through the valve (spring disc pack) in the working chamber, creating the required damping forces for the compression and rebound stages. Behind the separating piston is the gas chamber, with this gas having two tasks. “One task is to compress the oil column so that no bubbles form – so-called cavitation. This ensures the mono-tube shock absorber remains stable,“ Rainer said. “In addition, the gas chamber must accommodate the volume of the piston rod, because when the shock absorber is working, the piston rod is pressed into the working chamber.” “In the twin-tube shock absorber, the working piston also works in a working chamber filled with oil. When the piston rod is pressed into the shock absorber, the oil is displaced and forced through the bottom valve into the compensation chamber, which is located between tube one and tube two.” “Unlike the mono-tube shock absorber, however, the twin-tube shock absorber does not work independently of position.” “If the shock absorber is inclined more than 45 degrees, it pulls the gas into the inner tube due to the inclined position. Then the gas pressure shock absorber no longer works force-locked.” Whether it is a mono-tube shock absorber or a twin-tube shock absorber, mechanics have to keep a few things in mind. “Usually it is like this: if the shock absorber loses oil, it becomes softer. But then there is a type of construction where the shock absorber becomes tighter,“ Rainer said. “This means that the piston rod no longer enters the shock absorber properly. This is the monotube shock absorber. “When it loses oil, the separating piston moves upwards towards the working chamber. At some point the piston rod then touches the separating piston and that gives a loud knocking noise and the car behaves harder.” MacPherson struts are usually used on the front axle. Bilstein sates that sturdy piston rods with a larger diameter are used because they take on wheel guidance tasks and therefore have to absorb large forces. Often, therefore, mono-tube shock absorbers are used in an upside-down design. “Then the damper is completely turned around. The piston rod is no longer at the top but at the bottom. Two plain bearings then take over the guidance so that the high forces can be transmitted. With the mono-tube shock absorber, no oil can escape from the top because the piston rod is at the bottom,“ Rainer explains. Electronic shock absorber systems

Electronic systems can usually be recognised by their wiring and externally mounted valves. “I check the electronic system with my diagnostic tools, go through the fault memory and look at the whole thing,“ Rainer said. “I check if something is wrong with the cable, if I have a cable break or too much contact resistance, etc.” But looking at the electronic system is only part of the fault analysis, warns Rainer. “If the driving behaviour is still bad, then it is quite possible that we are dealing with normal wear and tear. And then I have to check in the same way as with the passive systems,“ Rainer said. For further information, check out Part 5 of Suspension Fundamentals – Powered by Bilstein Academy, on workshop.bilstein.com/en/suspension-fundamentals/ Photos: Copyright Bilstein 2022

KONI SPECIAL ACTIVE

Available from Toperformance

Just as a chameleon adjusts to its environment, Toperformance says Koni Special Active seamlessly transforms to suit various road conditions and driving styles. Vehicle damping has always been a compromise between comfort and roadholding. A good example is a Formula One racing car, which offers the best possible roadholding but with minimal comfort. An example at the other end of the spectrum is a large American saloon or 4WD, with a plush ride but when taken through a sharp bend feels as if the vehicle might tip over – lots of comfort but low roadholding. These days one expects to experience the ultimate in comfort, combined with safe roadholding. Minimum damping is required for your comfort whilst strong damping is needed for safe and stable driving. This conflict of goals cannot be solved with conventional front and rear dampers, says Toperformance. It says Koni shock absorbers with Active damping technology offer the solution. Specifically designed for each application, Koni Frequency Selective Damping (FSD) technology combines the ultimate in comfort and roadholding. Being a purely mechanical technology, Toperformance says this system removes any cost, reliability, or complexity problems which can arise from using electronically controlled suspension components. Koni Active high-performance dampers are the first choice in solving the everlasting problem of “all condition vehicle damping.” Toperformance explains conventional dampers are unable to solve the conflict in terms of comfort and handling, however if you can create a damper which is able to change the damping force level in relation to the frequency of the movement, you will be able to solve this conflict – and it states Koni Active technology does just that. How does it work?

In standard shock absorbers the main damping characteristic is defined by oil flow going through the piston assembly. Combining this standard damping characteristic with the Active feature, Koni added a special valve (FSD) which can control a parallel oil flow next to the one going through the piston. This parallel oil flow is closed by the Active feature, giving a rise in damping force almost linear to the time that the piston is moving in one direction. Put simply, the Koni Active feature is a hydraulic amplifier that delays the build-up of pressure. One could say that an extra tuning option has been created to get the best possible combination of handling and comfort. Since it is an integrated part of the hydraulic valve system inside the damper, no additional cables, sensors, or any other electronic devices are needed to operate a Koni Active damper. Toperformance lists the following as the advantages of Special Active Shock Absorbers: • Improved safety and road holding • Original equipment technology proven on over 1.5 million factory equipped vehicles • Secure and stable feeling for spirited driving • An unrivalled aftermarket solution which can be fitted to most new, older and some classic vehicles • Driving refinement for cars, trucks, 4WDs and some light commercial applications etc. • Technology that rivals expensive original equipment electronic systems Toperformance says Koni Special Active not only creates an improved driving experience it also creates a “calmer chameleon.” For more information, visit www.toperformance.com.au

REGULAR SAFETY CHECKS: A MUST DO

Jax Tyres and Auto recommends car owners get their steering and suspension checked regularly

Steering and suspension are two key elements of any vehicle that work together to ensure drivers maintain control and safely navigate the roads, which is why it is so important to check them regularly. A car’s suspension performs six basic functions: 1. Control the vehicle’s direction of travel 2. Maintain correct vehicle ride height 3. Support vehicle weight 4. Reduce the effect of shock forces 5. Maintain correct wheel alignment 6. Keep the tyres in contact with the road Importantly, both the front and rear suspension must be in good working condition to deliver all six functions. Compromised suspension can lead to a great deal of damage to a vehicle and compromise the safety of the driver and others on the road. In fact, the braking distance can be increased by two metres, travelling at 50kmh, when a car’s shock absorbers aren’t working properly. To ensure a vehicle’s suspension and steering is performing at its best, Jax Tyres and Auto recommends a regular wheel alignment to help the car’s tyres perform correctly, improve overall handling, prevent issues with steering and help them last longer. A wheel alignment helps ensure that a car’s tyres are not misaligned which can lead to more serious issues and is a great way to ensure a car is performing at its best. Misaligned wheels can cause issues with fuel efficiency, increased tyre wear, and impact on safety and handling. This ultimately means the tyres tend to drag more which means the vehicle needs more fuel to get moving, leads to rapid tyre wear and the need for early tyre replacement. The most serious impact of bad wheel alignment is the impact on handling. It may seem trivial, but could cause more serious safety issues if an emergency stop or manoeuvre is needed and the car doesn’t respond as it should. Finally, it is also recommended that a wheel alignment be undertaken when new tyres are fitted to a vehicle as this will help extend the life of the tyres and keep the driver safe on the road by ensuring all tyres meet the road at the correct angle and are properly centred. Jax Tyres and Auto offers a complimentary vehicle inspection, which includes a check of a car’s steering and suspension to give its customers total ‘Peace of Mind’ driving. For more information, search ‘Jax’ today or call 1300 367 897.