How Suspension Service Works at Christian Brothers Automotive Cherokee
We built our process around one idea: you should know what’s happening at every stage. Here’s what that looks like in practice.
Step 1: Drop Off & Diagnose
Our ASE-certified technicians perform a complete suspension system inspection and identify the source of the problem. Complimentary shuttle service is available if you need to get somewhere while we work.
Step 2: Review Your Options
Before any repair begins, we walk you through what we found and explain your options in plain language. You decide what happens next.
Step 3: Repair & Return
We complete the approved repairs using manufacturer-quality equipment, perform a follow-up alignment check when required, and return your vehicle ready for the road.
1. Schedule Your Appointment
Whether scheduling online or over the phone be sure and let us know what you're experiencing so we can provide fast and accurate service advice.
2. Diagnostics and Inspections
Drop off your vehicle and the shop will get to work with inspections and diagnostics using the same equipment as the manufacturers to determine issues and next steps.
3. Digital Vehicle Inspection Report and Estimate
Following the diagnosis we will text you a digital vehicle inspection report, containing pictures and videos of our findings and recommendations.
4. Review and Approval
A service advisor will reach out to walk you through the findings and recommendations to determine how you would like to proceed, or you can approve work directly in your DVI.
5. Work Performed or Scheduled
Most work can be completed immediately, or scheduled based on parts and customer availability.
Backed by an Industry-Leading Warranty
Every suspension repair we complete at Christian Brothers Automotive Cherokee is covered by our industry-leading warranty. That coverage reflects the confidence we place in our technicians and the quality of the parts we use. When we hand your keys back, you can drive away with the assurance that the work is backed by our warranty.
Shocks vs. Struts: Understanding the Difference
Not all suspension components work the same way, and knowing which your vehicle uses helps you understand the repair process. Shocks, or shock absorbers, are hydraulic components that dampen spring oscillation and reduce bounce, keeping the tires in firm contact with the road. Struts combine a shock absorber and a coil spring into a single structural unit that also supports the vehicle’s weight and contributes to wheel alignment. Most vehicles use one type or a combination of both. Identifying which your vehicle has is part of the diagnostic process, and it affects what the repair involves. Because struts are structural, replacing them typically warrants a wheel alignment check afterward to confirm proper geometry.
How Suspension Wear Affects Vehicle Safety
Ride quality is the most noticeable symptom of suspension wear, but it isn’t the most significant one. Worn shocks and struts can reduce braking efficiency because the tires can lose consistent contact with the road surface. In wet conditions, reduced tire contact can raise the risk of hydroplaning. Increased body roll during turns can affect cornering stability, and inconsistent steering response can make emergency maneuvers harder to execute.
Suspension wear also compounds over time. One failing component puts additional stress on the parts connected to it, so a problem caught early is less likely to become a cascading repair. Routine inspection can keep minor wear from turning into a larger safety or cost issue.
How Often Should Suspension Be Inspected?
Industry guidance generally recommends a suspension inspection at least once a year or every 12,000 miles. Shocks and struts typically show measurable wear after 50,000 miles and often require replacement between 50,000 and 100,000 miles, depending on driving conditions. Frequent driving on rough roads, heavy loads, or regular pothole exposure accelerates that wear curve. Routine inspections can catch alignment drift, uneven tire wear, and component stress before they develop into more involved repairs.
Your Local Christian Brothers Amenities
FAQs
-
Q. "How do I know if my suspension needs service?"Signs that your car needs suspension service include braking problems, abnormal noises, and excessive bouncing. If you are experiencing any of these problems, we recommend getting your vehicle looked at by our professional technicians.
-
Q. "What is the difference between shocks and struts?"While one of them will be found in every one of your vehicle’s tires, a vehicle will either have a shock or a strut at each wheel, never both. A shock cannot be used to replace a strut and a strut cannot be used to replace a shock. Which one does your vehicle have? Depends on the make and model. Learn more here.
-
Q. "How often should I have my suspension system looked at?"We recommend that you have it looked at once a year or every 12,000 miles along with your regular scheduled maintenance. If you want to learn more about signs that your suspension is worn click here.
-
Q. "Do you offer a shuttle service?"Yes! we understand you have a full schedule. Whether you need to get to work, school, or need to attend to other responsibilities, we can take you where you need to go. Click here to learn more.
-
Q. "Do you offer a warranty?"As part of our Nice difference.® commitment to providing our customers the best auto service experience possible, we also offer a 3-year/36,000-mile warranty on all the work that we do. We offer this warranty at every Christian Brothers Automotive nationwide, and it will be honored at any location, regardless of which branch did the initial work.
-
Q. "Can you provide service under my extended warranty?"Yes. At Christian Brothers Automotive, we work with all major extended warranty providers to make needed repairs for our customers. If you have an extended warranty, you can discuss your carrier with our team when scheduling an appointment and confirm that the work will be covered. You can find a partial list of the extended warranty companies we work with here.
Have more Questions?
Our friendly auto service experts have the answers.
Call your local Christian Brothers Automotive car shop today
Hear What Our Customers Had to Say About Us
-
"I am very pleased with the service, Carmax was booked and Christian Brothers Automotive honored the warranty that day, they did an awesome job. Had my vehicle back that day, amazing turn around. Would recommend them to anyone!"
- Joyce Z