Nice people, oil change tire rotation with front end alignment was perfectly done. Thanks Ashcraft
D K.
Suspension & Steering Repair in Independence, KS
If your vehicle wanders, bounces, clunks over bumps, or wears the edges of its tires, a suspension or steering part is likely worn. Our technicians find the cause, replace the worn parts, and align your vehicle so it drives safe and straight again.
Why does my truck wander, bounce or clunk?
- Wanders or needs constant correction: worn tie rod ends, a loose steering gear, or alignment.
- Bounces after bumps or nose-dives when braking: worn shocks or struts.
- Clunks over bumps or when turning: ball joints, sway bar links, control arm bushings or strut mounts.
- Steering wheel shakes at speed: often wheel balance, sometimes worn front-end parts. On solid-axle trucks, the violent shake known as "death wobble" points to worn track bar, ball joint or tie rod parts.
- Tires cupping or wearing on one edge: worn shocks or parts that let the alignment drift.
Shocks or struts: what's the difference?
Both control how your suspension moves. A shock absorber only damps motion. A strut is a structural part of the suspension that also holds the spring and sets alignment angles. Many cars and crossovers have struts up front. Many pickups have shocks at all four corners. Either way, worn ones make your vehicle harder to control and wear tires unevenly.
What parts do you replace?
- Shocks and struts
- Ball joints and control arms
- Tie rod ends and drag links
- Sway bar links and bushings
- Wheel bearings and hubs
- Steering components on cars, pickups and lifted trucks
How suspension and steering work gets done at Ashcraft
- Test drive to feel the problem you're describing.
- Lift the vehicle and check every joint for play, and look for leaking shocks and torn boots.
- Show you what's worn and what it costs before any work starts.
- Replace the parts and torque everything to spec at ride height.
- Align the vehicle on our Hunter machine so the new parts and your tires last.
Lifted trucks and heavy haulers
Lifts, leveling kits, big tires and heavy towing all put extra load on ball joints, tie rods and steering parts. These trucks wear front ends faster, and a worn part on a lifted truck shows up as wandering and uneven tire wear. Bring it in for a check before a small clunk turns into a tire you have to replace. Pair it with a wheel alignment after any front-end work.
What does suspension repair cost?
Pricing is being added to this page. It depends on the parts your vehicle needs. We'll quote it before we start.
Why Independence chooses Ashcraft Tire & Auto
- Trusted since 1945. For 81 years, Independence has counted on Ashcraft for honest, reliable tire and auto care.
- 130 five-star reviews. See what your neighbors say on our reviews page.
- Complete tire and auto service under one roof. Tires, Hunter alignments, brakes, diagnostics, maintenance and farm tires, all from one trusted team.
- Service that comes to you. Our service truck brings expert tire service to your farm, field or job site.
- Nationwide road hazard plan available. Optional tire protection that travels with you, wherever the road takes you. See the plan.
- A local alternative to the big-box store and the dealership. Expert tire and auto service, honest recommendations, and no long waits.
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Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my shocks or struts are worn?
Signs include bouncing after bumps, nose-diving when you brake, body roll in turns, fluid leaking down the shock body, and cupped tire wear. A rough rule is to have them checked around 50,000 miles.
What causes a clunk over bumps?
Common causes are worn ball joints, sway bar links, control arm bushings and strut mounts. A clunk is a sign something is loose, so have it checked.
Why does my truck wander on the highway?
Wandering usually comes from worn steering parts like tie rod ends or a worn steering gear, or from an alignment that's out of spec. We check the parts first, then align.
Do I need an alignment after suspension work?
Usually, yes. Replacing tie rods, control arms, ball joints or struts changes the alignment angles. We'll align it so your tires don't pay for it.