1. Keep an Eye on Those Lateral Links – Especially With Hamilton Roads
Look, with the mess that’s Te Rapa Road at 5pm, all those potholes out Frankton way, or the never-ending stop-start along Ulster Street, your suspension really cops a hiding here in Hamilton. Doesn’t matter if you’re running a Toyota Prius or an older Subaru Legacy, those lateral links are just one of those bits you often forget about – until they fail a WOF.
We see it all the time. One of our techs found a cracked lateral link on a Honda Stream last week – the driver reckoned things felt “a bit squirmy” going round the roundabouts in Rototuna. That’s what happens when these things wear out. Left too long, it’s not just the handling that’ll get dodgy – you get funky tyre wear and eventually, you’ll get a red sticker at your next WOF Hamilton visit.
Best thing you can do? Get your suspension checked out at every oil service, especially if you’re doing lots of runs up to Ngaruawahia or Cambridge, or you’ve noticed any knocks or shakes. For more on suspension stuff, have a read of this guide: check out this guide.
And don’t forget those basic ‘always have in your car’ bits – check out our last post (8 Items You Should Always Have in Your Car) for more handy tips.
2. How Lateral Link Replacements Actually Go Down
Had a bloke in with a Suzuki Swift, and he was honestly worried it’d be a full-day job and cost an arm and a leg. It’s not that bad, mate! Here’s what actually happens. We jack up the car, remove the old bent or rusty lateral link – sometimes on Audis or Mazdas they can be a pig to get at after a few winters in Dinsdale muck – then swap in the new one.
Big thing is making sure it all gets torqued up right and aligned. We always test drive afterwards down roads like Normandy Ave or River Road, make sure she’s tracking straight. Then you’re good to go, and the WOF inspector won’t bat an eyelid. If you want to get clued up on other common maintenance stuff people slip up on, have a look here: 7 Common Car Maintenance Mistakes.
3. Don’t Skimp – Go for Quality Parts and Decent Mechanics
Honestly, if there’s one thing you don’t want to cheap out on, it’s stuff holding your car together. Seen too many import Nissans and the odd Peugeot 308 come in with knock-off lateral links – they barely last a year. Pay a bit more for the good gear and get a proper mechanic (not your mate’s cousin in a carport in Glenview) to fit it.
You want longevity, especially with Hamilton’s ever-changing weather – fog one week, blazing sun the next. Quality parts mean less coming back for the same job. That’s less hassle, more time cruising out to Morrinsville or Tamahere. It’s true: investing in proper kit pays off in the long run.
Want more workshop wisdom? Grab a read here: Secrets to Better Engine Power, Fuel Economy, and Emissions.
Conclusion
So, if you’re after a smooth WOF pass and a car that just feels right around Hamilton (or even when you shoot out to Raglan beach), don’t ignore your lateral links. Get them looked at regularly, know what’s involved with replacements, and go for quality every time. Had an issue with yours, or not sure what that odd clunk is? Pop by, have a yarn with our team.
Here at Grimmer Motors, we’ve been keeping Hamilton cars on the road for years. You’ll get honest advice, real service and work done right, every time.