Winter's potholes, icy roads can jar your vehicle out of alignment

(ARA) - Each winter, thousands of drivers have at least one encounter with a seemingly bottomless pothole. Others have 'minor' collisions with curbs and other obstacles as a result of icy road conditions. And many -- perhaps even most - experience both over the course of a typical winter.

What these drivers might not realize is that virtually any pothole, curb or other road hazard can take a nasty toll on a vehicle's steering and suspension system. In fact, just one impact can jar the vehicle out of alignment and potentially damage safety-critical chassis parts.

Sure signs that your vehicle's steering and suspension needs to be realigned, and could require replacement of one or more steering and suspension parts, include:

* Steering Wheel offcenter * Loose steering

* Steering wander (difficulty holding the vehicle on a consistent path)

* A pull to either side

* Chassis vibration at certain speeds

* Increased road-induced noise, vibration or harshness

* Uneven tire wear

'A proper alignment requires replacement of any worn or damaged components within the steering and suspension system,' says Kristen Phipps, brand manager for Moog Chassis Parts. 'These parts can affect your driving safety, so take your professional technician's service recommendation very seriously.'

It's also a good idea to make sure your technician uses a brand of replacement parts in which you and the technician can have confidence.

'This is a great way to reinforce your expectation that the job will be done right, with the best products for your vehicle,' Phipps adds.

Many professional technicians specify Moog steering and suspension components for their customers' -- as well as their own -- vehicles. Developed and tested in partnership with leading NASCAR teams, Moog products engineered to deliver smoother operation through the part's full range of motion, resulting in more precise and responsive steering. Not surprisingly, Moog chassis parts have been the choice of NASCAR Cup champions for 38 consecutive years.

Ask your local service provider if it's time to realign your vehicle. If he or she recommends replacement of any steering and suspension part, don't hesitate to have the repair completed. After all, your driving safety could be at stake.

Courtesy of ARA Content