Mastering Vehicle Suspension: Essential Maintenance Tips from Heritage Service Centre

Heritage Service Centre • August 2, 2025

At Heritage Service Centre, located in the heart of Grand Rapids, MI, we understand the vital role suspension systems play in your vehicle's performance and comfort. Whether navigating city streets or embarking on a long road trip, your car’s suspension ensures a smoother, more controlled ride. Today, we're diving into everything you need to know about maintaining and optimizing your vehicle’s suspension system.

Understanding Your Vehicle’s Suspension

The suspension system is a complex network of components including springs, shock absorbers, and linkages that connect a vehicle to its wheels. This system is essential for absorbing road bumps, maintaining tire contact with the road, and providing steering stability and passenger comfort. Here at Heritage Service Centre, we see firsthand how well-maintained suspension systems can enhance driving safety and prolong vehicle lifespan.

Common Signs of Suspension Issues

One of the key aspects of vehicle care is knowing when something's off. Some common signs that your suspension may need attention include:

  • Uneven tire wear
  • Excessive bouncing after going over bumps
  • Pulling to one side
  • Difficulty steering
  • Visible fluid leakage from shock absorbers
If you notice any of these issues, don't hesitate to bring your car to Heritage Service Centre in Grand Rapids for a thorough inspection.

Why Regular Suspension Checks Are Crucial

Routine inspection and maintenance can identify potential suspension problems before they escalate, saving you both time and money. A well-maintained suspension system not only enhances the driving experience but also reduces wear and tear on other vehicle components. The experienced team at Heritage Service Centre emphasizes the importance of regular check-ups, offering you peace of mind on the road.

DIY Inspection Tips

While professional evaluations are critical, there are a few checks you can perform between visits to our shop:

  • Visual Inspection: Regularly check the condition of your tires and suspension components for any visible signs of wear or damage.
  • Performance Test: Pay attention to how your vehicle handles different terrains and note any unusual noises or behaviors.
  • Bounce Test: Apply pressure to one corner of the vehicle and release it. If the car bounces more than a couple of times, it might be time to check those shocks.
Performing these simple checks can help you catch any issues early on, keeping you safe until your next visit to Heritage Service Centre.

The Heritage Service Centre Advantage

Why choose us for your suspension needs? As a premier auto shop in Grand Rapids, MI, Heritage Service Centre prides itself on offering comprehensive automotive services with a personal touch. From routine maintenance to complete overhauls, our skilled technicians utilize state-of-the-art equipment to ensure your vehicle’s suspension is in peak condition.

Conclusion: Keep Your Drive Smooth and Safe

Maintaining your vehicle’s suspension system is critical for a safe and comfortable driving experience. At Heritage Service Centre, we're committed to providing expert advice and quality service to all of our customers in Grand Rapids, MI. Whether it's a minor adjustment or a major repair, trust in us to keep your vehicle running smoothly. Schedule your suspension service appointment today and experience the Heritage Service Centre difference!

By Heritage Service Centre July 5, 2025
Enhance engine performance with oil changes at Heritage Service Centre in Grand Rapids, MI. Keep your car running smoothly. Schedule an appointment today!
By Heritage Service Centre June 7, 2025
Ensure your vehicle's performance in Grand Rapids with Heritage Service Centre's expert engine repair services. Trust our skilled team—schedule an appointment today!
By Heritage Service Centre May 10, 2025
Expertise in auto diagnostics at Heritage Service Centre, Grand Rapids, MI. Trust us for accurate results. Visit us today for top-notch service.
October 21, 2024
No matter how cool, how expensive, how big, how much it can haul, or how fast your vehicle is, there’s nothing more important than its ability to stop! It is, without a doubt, that your brakes are the most important part of being able to drive your vehicle. Have your vehicle’s brakes lost some of their stopping power? Do they even squeak or squeal or scrape metal on metal? The squeak is an early warning that it might be time to replace, at a minimum, the pads. If you’re hearing metal on metal grinding, then its definitely time to do so (quickly) and you could be into some rotor work as well. No vehicle will stop effectively with worn brake pads. Nobody wants to go through a wall or have an accident because it won’t stop. So it makes a lot more sense (and is way less scary) ... read more
October 21, 2024
Determining when you need to replace your battery can be really simple. One of the easiest (and most frustrating) ways is if your car won’t start and when you attempt to re-charge it, the battery won’t hold a charge. This makes it pretty obvious that you need a new battery. The next most reliable way is if you find that you are having difficulty starting your vehicle in the morning. This usually happens more frequently in the winter, but hot climates can also shorten battery life. If your vehicle starter is sounding more sluggish, it might just be time for a new battery. Although these symptoms suggest a failing battery, they are not conclusive. It is possible that the connections have become corroded over time and just need to be cleaned or it might be that one of the two ... read more
October 21, 2024
When most of us think about vehicle safety we usually think about brakes first and tires second. However, there is a third and just as important safety item on your vehicle that is often overlooked… shocks and struts. While some people think that a vehicles shocks and struts are not safety items, we beg to differ. In order for your brakes, tires, anti-lock braking system, vehicle stabilization system and any other electronic assist or computer safety system to work as intended, the tires must be in CONSTANT CONTACT with the ROAD! When the tire is bouncing or distribution of the weight of the vehicle is “off” these systems do not work properly and can lead to a safety or handling issue. Stopping distances are increased with these worn components and occasionally the driver m ... read more
October 21, 2024
So what’s all this about filters? A new oil filter keeps contaminants out of your expensive engine. A new air filter can help improve your vehicle’s performance. And a new cabin air filter protects you and your passengers from mildew, allergens and more. Let’s look at each type of filter and when it makes sense to change them. OIL:Most vehicle manufacturers recommend changing the oil once a year or every 7,500 miles in passenger car and light truck gasoline engines. For diesel engines and turbocharged gasoline engines, the usual recommendation is every 3,000 miles or six months. However, when you read the fine print, you’ll find those recommendations are for vehicles that are driven under ‘ideal’ circumstances. Unfortunately, what most of us think of as ‘normal’ drivin ... read more
October 21, 2024
Hey, know what’s scary? Most vehicles’ timing belts fail without a lot of warning. And that can leave you stranded somewhere you don’t want to be. So check your vehicle owner’s manual’s suggested mileage for timing belt replacement and talk with the experts at Heritage Service Centre. The failure of a timing belt is one of the most common reasons why cars break down. If you are familiar with a timing belt functions and how to tell when something is wrong with it, then you can prevent more serious damage. Knowledge about timing belt symptoms will save you from being stranded by the side of a road because of a broken timing belt. Simply put, a timing belt is a chain or belt that control the opening and closing of a car’s valves. Without a properly functioning timing belt, an ... read more
October 21, 2024
What a great time of year this is for holiday gatherings, great food … and, ick, inclement weather. Nearly ninety percent of all driving decisions are based on a clear view of the road, which means good visibility is absolutely essential — especially during wet weather when vision may be obscured by water, road splash, sleet or snow on the windshield. Yet, wiper blades are one of the most neglected components on vehicles today. Many blades are cracked, split, torn, brittle, worn or otherwise in obvious need of replacement. Others may look okay, but do a lousy job of wiping when put to the test. Any blade that’s chattering, streaking or doing a lousy job of wiping is a blade that’s overdue for replacement. Most experts say wiper blades should be replaced every six to tw ... read more
October 21, 2024
If your vehicle’s radio or air-conditioner aren’t working properly, that’s an inconvenience. But if your brakes aren’t as reliable as they used to be, that’s serious business. With school back in session and fall and winter driving right around the corner. Now more than ever, your vehicle needs great brakes you can rely on for every stop. One of the most interesting things about vehicle brake system is that a small peddle can stop a huge vehicle with a slight push of brake pad. How it all happens is still a mystery (friction not fiction) for many people. Being “out of sight, out of mind,” the braking system on most vehicles go unnoticed… until a problem crops up. There are drum brakes, disc brakes, anti-lock brake systems (ABS) and hand or parking brakes, depending on the a ... read more
More Posts