Bearing Up

“It rattles when I hit a bump.” That not-very-useful diagnosis is a typical description of a chassis issue as described by many owners at the service desk. Ball joint? Tie rod end? Strut, or maybe a broken spring? All are possible, but this Dodge Caravan displays why you need to think about all wheel end systems when tracking down a noise or vibration complaint. Let’s walk through it together, step-by-step, and see what we can discover:

This customer was driving a time bomb with the wheel bearing hanging by a thread, yet the only outward warning sign was a poorly defined chassis noise. With older vehicles, exhaust leaks, body rattles and ride control issues can condition owners to tolerate unusual noises from under the car. Remember to point out that this failure could have been predicted with a regular inspection by a licensed technician and don’t forget to note the use of high-quality replacement parts on the work order. Most Canadians have Internet access and the curious may key in brand names like “SKF” to find out why the part is priced the way it is. It’s another hidden advantage over no-name parts. Consumers don’t know that first-line parts fit better and last longer, but they perceive major name brands as better, higher value products. Why fight it?