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.
What to Expect at Every Visit
Every vehicle that comes through our doors receives a complimentary Courtesy Inspection covering suspension, brakes, tires, lights, and battery at no extra charge. It’s how we can catch developing problems before they become more expensive.
Because Chris and Becky Tholen are on-site owners, there’s no layer of management between you and the people responsible for your vehicle. Our technicians explain findings in plain language: no pressure, no jargon, just a clear picture of what your vehicle needs and what it costs.
Signs Your Suspension Needs Attention
We recommend having your suspension inspected once a year or every 12,000 miles as part of regular maintenance. Between visits, pay attention to what your vehicle is telling you. Some symptoms are easy to dismiss, but they often signal wear that affects braking distance and steering control.
Common warning signs that warrant a suspension check:
- Vehicle pulling to one side during normal driving
- Excessive bouncing or nose-dipping after bumps or hard braking
- Steering wheel vibration or a tendency to wander
- Difficulty keeping the vehicle centered in a lane
- Knocking, clunking, or screeching when turning or going over bumps
- Uneven or accelerated tire wear on one side
Ignoring these symptoms puts added stress on steering components, wheel bearings, and tires, and braking distances can increase. What starts as a worn shock or strut can work its way into alignment and tire replacement costs. Addressing suspension problems promptly is often the more practical choice.
Suspension System Components We Service
A vehicle’s suspension system includes shocks, struts, springs, control arms, ball joints, bushings, tie rods, and sway bar links. Each wheel has either a shock or a strut, not both, and the correct replacement depends on your vehicle’s make and model. Our ASE-certified technicians identify which components need attention, then walk you through repair options before any work is authorized.
How a Healthy Suspension Protects Your Vehicle
A properly functioning suspension system contributes to fuel efficiency, supports tire life, and helps keep the drivetrain balanced under the forces generated during everyday driving. Suspension issues left unaddressed tend to create secondary problems: alignment drift, vibration, and added wear on components that were fine to begin with. We use manufacturer-quality equipment on every job so the work is completed the way it should be.
After suspension repairs, a wheel alignment check helps restore proper tire contact with the road. We’ll let you know whether alignment is indicated based on what we find during the diagnostic.
Columbine Road Conditions & Suspension Wear
We serve drivers throughout Columbine, Columbine Valley, Columbine Heights, Littleton, and Ken Caryl, and the Jefferson County area puts real demands on suspension components year-round. Cold winters bring snow, ice, and de-icing chemicals that accelerate corrosion on bushings and mounting hardware. Hot, dry summers stress rubber components like strut mounts over time. Freeze-thaw cycles leave potholes and heaved pavement that deliver repeated impact to shocks, struts, and springs.
Vehicles that log regular miles along C-470 and surrounding corridors accumulate wear steadily. For most drivers here, an annual suspension inspection isn’t precautionary. It’s practical maintenance that can help keep small issues from becoming more costly ones. Call us at (844) 728-7318 or schedule online to set up your suspension inspection in Columbine.
FAQs
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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"I liked the customer service and going above and beyond to make sure I was comfortable while waiting in the store for my vehicle work to be done, specifically being offered a nice hot coffee with creamer."
- J.L.