Maintenance and Adjustment of Running Gear: HaynesPro’s Valuable Support for Mechanics
The running gear plays an essential role in vehicle handling, comfort, and safety. Poor adjustment or neglected maintenance can lead to premature tire wear, loss of stability, or abnormal vehicle behavior. This article explains the importance of running gear maintenance and how HaynesPro supports mechanics in these technical operations.
Why Maintain and Adjust the Running Gear?
The running gear includes components such as suspensions, control arms, ball joints, shock absorbers, and wheel alignment. These parts are constantly stressed and can become misaligned over time.
Proper adjustment helps to:
Reduce tire wear
Improve vehicle handling
Ensure precise steering
Guarantee the safety of the driver and passengers
After replacing a component or experiencing an impact (pothole, curb, etc.), a check is necessary.
Running Gear Adjustment Procedure
Here are the general steps to ensure correct maintenance and adjustment:
Visual Inspection
Before any work, inspect components for issues such as cracked bushings, damaged ball joint boots, or excessive play.Geometry Check
Using a measuring bench, check the angles:Camber
Toe (parallelism)
Caster
Incorrect angles can indicate a faulty or improperly installed component.Adjustment
Once faults are identified, adjustments are made following manufacturer specifications.
⚠️ These values vary by model, vehicle weight, and engine type highlighting the importance of a reliable database.
Case Study: Wheel Alignment on an Audi A3 with HaynesPro
Luc, an independent mechanic, recently performed full running gear maintenance on an Audi A3 that pulled to the right after a shock absorber replacement.
Consulting Technical Data
Thanks to HaynesPro, Luc accessed:
Camber and toe values specific to the 2018 TFSI version
Torque settings for the lower arms
Load-tightening protocol specific to this model
Using the Guided Inspection Tool
The HaynesPro tool also allowed him to:
Quickly locate measurement points
Follow a step-by-step procedure to adjust settings
Print a report for his client
Benefits for Luc:
✅ Time-saving: no need to search through multiple manuals
✅ Reliability: adjustments conform to manufacturer standards
✅ Professionalism: transparency and traceability for the end customer
Running gear maintenance requires precision. With HaynesPro, mechanics have access to:
Manufacturer technical data
Detailed procedures for each model
Accurate adjustment recommendations
Diagnostic support for uneven tire wear
Try HaynesPro free for 7 days and discover how to improve your running gear adjustments in the workshop.
