Suspension and Front End Services

Shocks help keep your ride nice and smooth. If the road has gotten a little bumpy, come to Big O Tires and we’ll check your shocks. Service includes inspection and evaluation of shocks, and installation of replacements as necessary.

An essential part of your vehicle’s suspension system, shocks absorb and dampen shocks to help keep your tires in constant contact with the road.

Here are some signs of worn-out shocks:

• Your vehicle tips to one side when turning
• Your vehicle’s front end dives down farther than expected during quick braking
• Your vehicle’s rear lowers during acceleration
• You see unusual and uneven tire wear
• You notice fluid leaking from your shocks
• Your tires bounce excessively on smooth, level roads

If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, visit your nearest Big O Tires, and we’ll examine your shocks. If you need new shocks, we’ll replace them for you.Read Less

Struts stabilize your vehicle and keep it from swaying, bouncing and bottoming out. If you suspect a problem, come in to Big O Tires. Service includes inspection and evaluation of struts, plus installation of replacements as necessary.

Although struts serve a similar purpose to shocks, they are different parts. However, the signs of worn-out struts are very similar to those of bad shocks:

• Your vehicle tips to one side when turning
• Your vehicle’s font end dives down farther than expected during quick braking
• Your vehicle’s rear lowers during acceleration
• You see unusual and uneven tire wear
• You notice fluid leaking from your struts
• Your tires bounce excessively on smooth, level roads

If you’ve noticed any of these issues, stop by your local Big O Tires and we’ll take a close look at your struts and replace if needed.Read Less

If you're having handling problems, notice unusual movements over bumps or turns, or simply need a routine evaluation, the trained experts at Big O Tires are here to help. Service includes inspection and replacement as necessary.

Your steering and suspension systems are two separate systems that work together to connect your vehicle to the wheels. This collaboration allows you to guide the vehicle, helps keep the wheels in contact with the road for maximum traction, and provides a smooth, comfortable ride by reducing the bounce and sway that would normally be caused by bumps and imperfections in the road.

It’s generally recommended to have your steering and suspension systems inspected every 50,000 miles, and whenever you get new tires, brake service or an oil change.

At Big O Tires, we want to help you avoid expensive repairs, and regular evaluations of your steering and suspension systems are a great way to do that. Stop by your local store today or schedule an appointment online.Read Less

Tie rods help push and pull the front tires when you turn the steering wheel. Faulty tie rods can result in erratic steering, wandering and significant tire wear. The pros at Big O Tires can help you identify and correct any problems. Service includes diagnosis, repair or replacement as necessary.

By working together with the rack and pinion, and steering knuckle, tie rods allow you to move the wheel left or right when you steer.

• You have difficulty turning the steering wheel
• You hear a squealing sound when turning
• You notice uneven or excessive wear on your tires

Any of these could be a warning sign that you have a loose or damaged tie rod. Don’t worry. The experts at Big O Tires will examine your steering and suspension system, let you know if you need new tie rods and straighten out any other steering issues.Read Less

The ball joint is the pivot point between your vehicle's wheels and its suspension system. Many of the front-end sounds you hear can be symptoms of ball joint failure. Come in to Big O Tires for an inspection by our trained experts today. Service includes visual inspection, lubrication or replacement as necessary.

If you’ve noticed any of the following while driving your car or truck, it might be time to have your ball joints inspected or replaced:

• You hear a rattling or clunking noise coming from the front of your vehicle
• You feel excessive vibrations in the front your vehicle
• Your steering wanders to the right or left
• You see uneven or excessive tire wear

All of these are symptoms of bad ball joints and can be taken care of by the pros at your nearest Big O Tires shop. We’ll perform a thorough inspection of your ball joints, let you know what you need and replace as needed.Read Less

Your vehicle's steering system relies on the rack and pinion to make steering feel 'tight'. If you’ve noticed any steering issues, bring your vehicle into Big O Tires. Service includes steering system diagnosis and repair as necessary.

The rack and pinion is an efficient way of converting a minimal effort by the driver to enough power to steer the wheels of a heavy machine. Rack-and-pinion steering has remained the most popular mechanism by which a driver maintains directional control of their car or truck.

All of the following are signs that your rack and pinion may need repair or replacement:

• You feel excessive looseness or tightness when steering
• Your steering wheel shakes
• You hear a clunking noise
• Your wheels don’t return to the center
• Your vehicle feels unstable at higher speeds

If it’s gotten harder to drive in the right direction, we’ve got the expertise to straighten things outRead Less

CV joints and CV axles connect your transmission to your wheels. Big O Tires can check them on a regular basis or anytime you hear clicking noises when making a turn. Service includes joint and axle inspection.

CV stands for constant velocity because the CV joints and axles help keep your wheels rotating at a constant speed. Both components are located inside a rubber casing called a CV Boot, and are included on all Front Wheel Drive (FWD) cars and some Rear Wheel Drive (RWD) cars.

The most common symptom of bad CV joints or axles is a clicking sound during turning. However, be on the lookout for these other signs that your CV joints or axles need service:

• You feel vibrations in the steering wheel
• Your ride feels bouncier than usual
• You hear knocking sounds or other unusual noises when turning

Torn CV boots and worn CV joints or axles can cause damage to your transmissions and other components, leading to expensive repairs. That’s why we recommend getting your CV axles and CV joints checked regularly. If you’d like to see where yours stand, visit your nearest Big O Tires location or schedule an appointment online.Read Less