Monthly Archives: October 2026

Essential home garage tools for DIY steering and suspension inspection. Jack, pry bar, flashlight, tread gauge and power steering tester. Check your own front end in 20 minutes.

5-minute auction inspection for used car buyers. Spot worn struts, sagging springs, uneven tires and hidden rust before you bid. No lift needed.

Kingpin inspection for 5-year-old heavy-duty commercial trucks. Check play, thrust bearing wear and tire cupping on Freightliner, International and Ford F-650.

How to measure suspension sag on a 10-year-old car. Compare fender-to-ground measurements to factory spec. Know when old springs need replacement.

How to inspect CV joint boots on a 10-year-old car. Catch torn boots early for a $50 fix. Don't wait for the clicking sound that means a $500 new axle.

DIY steering gearbox adjustment for old RWD trucks and vans. Remove play at the steering wheel by turning the top adjuster screw 1/8 turn at a time. 15-minute fix.

Why 10-year-old cars need new control arm bushings before another alignment. Cracked rubber causes camber change and rapid tire wear. What to inspect before paying for an alignment.

Monthly fleet vehicle steering and suspension inspection checklist for vans and trucks. 10-minute walkaround to catch worn tie rods, leaks, tire wear and steering play early.

Spring inspection for salt-damaged steering and suspension on northern cars. Check frame rust, brake lines, sway bar bushings, rack boots and subframe bolts after winter.