Learn The Warning Signs Of Car Problems

If you're driving down the road and the car starts to vibrate, what's the problem? To answer that question, you need to make sure the road isn't bumpy or that your tire isn't flat. You can drive on different roads and across all kinds of terrain, but if your tire seems fine and the roads aren't the problem, what is? Consider a few inspection points that can help you identify the source of strange wobbles, vibrations, shakes, and rattles.

Wind Vibrations From Body Damage

If you've been involved in an accident--even a small fender-bender in the parking lot--part of your car may be coming apart in ways that can make a lot of noise.

Fenders, bumpers, door panels, hoods and other auto body components can be separated from the car just enough to protrude from the frame, but not enough to fall off completely. The damage may be obvious in some cases, but there are times when a bumper or panel can rest in the perfect position yet its securing bolts and fasteners are damaged or missing.

When you drive, even slight bumps in the road can make these parts shake and vibrate. When driving at higher speeds, the wind may even cause faster vibrations in conjunction with the bumps in the road. You may be about to lose part of your car while moving at fast speeds. This could be a legal liability and injury hazard if it hits someone else on the road, or in the case of a hood, a startling slam that could cause you to drive dangerously.

Don't ignore the vibrations when there's an auto repair shop ready to assist you. Whether you an find the exact source of the noise or not, an auto repair professional can help you pinpoint the problem and provide a safe, reliable replacement.

Axle Alignment Problems 

Driving on rough roads or being involved in especially damaging accidents can wreak havoc on your vehicle's axles. When uneven pressure is applied to an individual tire, the axle can become bent just enough to cause a wobble that doesn't seem to stop no matter where you drive.

An axle's alignment can become altered by driving on uneven roads over time, and isn't necessarily an indicator of bad driving or an accident. It can, unfortunately, become worse if you continue to drive without having the axle realigned or straightened.

As an alignment issue becomes worse, repairing the problem may become more expensive. If the axle bends to the point of needing a replacement, you may have to cost hundreds or nearly a thousand dollars for the parts and labor. Compared to under one hundred dollars for a four-wheel alignment at many repair shops, there's little reason to wait. Visit H & S Tire & Auto Center as soon as you can to fix the problem before it gets worse.