‘tho sh

AUTO _

A MacPherson strut ts nota scottish jig

THE shock absorbers are there to absorb shock, right? Seems obvious.

Actually, it’s the springs in your suspension system chat absorb the shocks from bumps on the road. The shock absorbers act as dampers to stop the car from bouncing.

And what is a MacPhenon strut, anyway? fn the 1980s, while cars were getting smaller, lighter, and more fuel ¢iti- cient, there was less and fess room tor the traditional short and long arm (SEA) suspension systems, especially with the increasing number of tront wheel drive cars. “The MacPherson strut is a single integrated unit that incorporates both a shock absorber and 2 coil spring. It is the most common front end suspension.

Most pes le think of their suspension system, if they think

_ about it at all, as a way of providing a smooth ride over a bumpy road. In fact, that’s only half the story, and probably the less important half.

Suspension systems are engineered into a car. ‘Their main Purpose is to keep all tour wheels on the road, with an even distribution of weight. The objective is steering and ride con- trol. Withour that control, vour car would roll from side to side on cornering, would be all over the place on bumpy roads, and would lose braking and steering control.

When we say suspension system, we mean “system.” Ail the parts work together with each other and with the steering and braking systems of your vehicle. If the suspension system is worn, it could cost you plenty in seemingly unrelated repairs to: tires, steering linkage, springs, ball joints, constant veloci- ty (CV) joints, and various underbody parts.

New that you're concerned about vour suspension, how do you know without putting your car on the hoist and ask- ing an expert?

The first thing vou should do is pur your car on a hoist and ask an expert. This is referred to as “preventive maintenance,” or as that old commercial Jing goes, “You can pay me (a fittle) now, or pay me (much more) later.”

Having said that, there are some things to watch for in your everyday driving:

@ excessive roti or sway on turns;

B front end dives on braking;

UW rear end sags on acceleration;

@ bouncing or chattering on bumpy reads or washboard; @ bottoming out with a thump on a bump.

Or ery this simple cest. Walk around your car, and push down sharply cn cach corner. Does it rebound smoothly, or does it bounce two or three times? If it bounces, your shacks and struts probably need replacement.

If you plan to tow boats or trailers, don’t be afraid to upzrade. Replacement systems are available with air adjust- ments, so thar you can vary the stiffness of the suspension when you’re towing, and keep your headlights (and your wheels) on the road.

= 1 Leaking red fluid? I GINGE 1002 F @ Harsh shifting? @ Hesitation? @ Dificulty driving in one or more gears?

@ Car sounds iike it’s running. but won't move? Financing Available 0.4.C.

FFREE TRANS CHECK 21 PLUS" SERVICE|

| Only AT Cottman fransmission. Sndudes road test, noise i» check, fees deck ond external examination. | : Le

$198 or 1.9%

F REGENCY

2-dr hatchback, dual-air bags, 5-spd transmission. Was $12,335

283 BUCK REGAL 3.8 Litre V6 SUPERCHARGED, duai power seats, leather int., heated seats, AM/FIM stereo cass G/D player, loadad & much more Was $34,210

S83 CLDILLACGC CAT enews er So aoa

cruise, power seats, heated front/rear seat & much more. Was $46,690

G.V.0. demo, power sunroof, leather. chrome wheels, AM/FM, stereo cass.,12 disc changer, heated ‘seats, northstar

V8 engine, & much more. Loaded ; 45,96S

vehicle was $60,710 wow

RE COUPE

A fun-te-drive coupe that detivers on acceleration, at a price that won't slow yeu down. Included cn this soorty pakage is 2.2 litre 2200 L4 TISHP SMAMTLEASE for 36 martns? © Purchase Financiny engine « 5-speed manuat transmission +

NO SECURITY DEPOSIT fear spoiler * 4-whert anti-lock braking $2122.66 S? system + PASSLock thefi-deterent

$ tf system © Next Genesation dual ait bags + PURCHASE FoR Just *16,298" | ssn" Nes Seneca

1999 PONTIAC SUN

PONTIAC ¢ BUICK

Open- Dec 26 9am-Spin, Dec 27 closed,

AUTO GROUP

WM te

egency GA. wewil' will make your first

payment & no security deposit First payment on “98 %

“99 stoca units only

(leace only)

98 CADILLAC SEVILLE STS

‘4 G.V.O. demo, power sunroof, custom steering wheel, chrome wheels. CD changer, leather interior, Northstar V8 engine engine & more.

j Loaded vehicle. Was $69,380

93 GMC JIMMY 4X4

Power seat, power group, tilt, cruise, 4 dr, remote keyless, ‘ ext appearance pkg & much more

was $38,020 wow s32 ass||

S38 GMC SIERRA 4X4 EXTENDED CaS 271

Power grou. power seats, bucket 3rd doar, A/C, 5700 vortec’V8, auto AM/FM cass, ‘CD trailer pkg.

much more. Loaded was $39,420 WOW

No. 1 ranked minivan by Car & Driver: extended, & passenger, A/C, power group, tilt, cruise, luggage rack, deep tint giass Security

Peg SPC eres WOW $25,998] |

1999 PONTIAC GRAND AM

Injected with lots of good ideas... and a healthy dose ot adrenaline, your driving excitement comes complete: 2.4 “ire Tain Jam TS0HP engine = bold and exciting new design » all new chasse with exeotiona Aigiday ° 4-wheel antiiock braking systom + 4-spaed automstic transmission vath Enhanced Traction System » 4-wheel independent Suspension « AMF; steteo cassette * power door incks + Tit-Whed «

SMARTLEASE for 36 montng} = Purchase Fenancing

NO SECURITY DEPOSIT $2307.00 DP PURCHASE FoR gust °21,316'

PONTIAC

Celle

BuUuIcK GMC

© CADILLAC ¢ GMC

1166 Marine Drive, North Vancouver 98 5-6 3 33

Dec 28. 29 ¢ 30 Dum-Iprr, Dec 3! Darr Spur :