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Suspension Problems You Might Encounter With Your Four-Wheel Drive

Whether you are four-wheeling on rocky terrain or you are out mud bogging, knowing when your four-wheel drive vehicle is experiencing suspension failure is important. Your four-wheel drive's suspension is essential for you to navigate through uneven terrain with ease and comfort. The suspension system is also necessary for your vehicle to carry loads on rough terrain without being compromised. However, when a problem occurs in your suspension system, you risk other parts of your vehicle becoming damaged from the vibrations and shock of driving in rough terrain. Check out these problems that are common in four-wheel drive suspension systems.

U-Bolts Are Not A One-Size-Fits-All Component

Adding more weight or power to your vehicle without changing the u-bolts can result in driveshaft vibrations and pinion issues. Many four-wheel drive vehicles are customized in a home garage and often, the adjustments are made without making changes to the u-bolts. Up-sizing the u-bolts anytime you add weight or make changes to parts like leaf springs will prevent them from becoming stretched and easily corroded. Avoid u-bolt issues by taking the time to tighten and inspect them after every rough trail ride. If you notice corroded u-bolts, replacing them with new, coated ones is best for keeping your four-wheel drive on the road or trail.

Damaged Leaf Center Pins Can Lead To A Shifted Axle

If you have too much weight on your vehicle's u-bolts, the leaf center pins can become damaged, causing serious results. If the axle shifts in your vehicle, you could be facing expensive axle repairs and your vehicle will be rendered inoperable until repairs are made. The leaf center pins in four-wheel drive vehicles are designed to be heavy duty and to protect the axle during an accident. If your four-wheel drive has damaged leaf center pins, you will need to have the pin pack replaced or rebuilt by a qualified auto repair shop. Maintaining proper u-bolts for the weight your vehicle carries can help you avoid damaged leaf spring pins. Making sure u-bolts are always tight can also help prevent center leaf pin damage.

The Role Of U-Bolts In The Infamous 'Death Wobble'

Not a whole lot can be more frightening than being behind the wheel of the four-wheel drive vehicle that is experiencing death wobble. While the specific cause of death wobble is debatable, mechanics do know that loose or damaged u-bolts can contribute to the problem. If your four-wheel drive begins vibrating harshly, you need to slow down and find a repair shop soon. If the u-bolts in your four-wheel drive's suspension are damaged or loose, the front-end leaf spring suspension could fail, causing severe vibrations that make it dangerous to drive because steering capability is usually greatly compromised.

Getting the most enjoyment and use out of your four-wheel drive vehicle means providing regular maintenance to its suspension system. To learn more, speak with someone like Buckster's Xylan Coatings Ltd u-bolts.