Suspension and driveline parts carry the load — and Central Arkansas gives them a lot to carry it over.
Construction zones and rough patches on the older interstates around Little Rock beat on springs and shocks. Gravel pits, quarries, and jobsite roads in Saline and Faulkner counties are hard on dump trucks and equipment haulers. Farm and timber roads twist frames and work torque rods and spring hangers. And heavy loads put constant torque through U-joints and carrier bearings. A small vibration today can be a broken driveshaft next week.
We handle chassis and driveline repairs at your yard, the truck stop, or the roadside, and we’ll tell you straight if something needs a lift.
Our Suspension & Driveline Repair: what the mechanic handles
- Air spring (air bag) replacement on tractors and trailers
- Ride height checks and leveling valve adjustment or replacement
- Shock absorber replacement
- Leaf spring and U-bolt inspection, and spring replacement where access allows
- Torque rod and bushing replacement
- Air suspension line and fitting leaks
- U-joint replacement
- Driveshaft carrier bearing replacement
- Wheel seal leaks on drive and trailer axles
- Hub oil level checks and wheel bearing inspection
- Fifth wheel lube, adjustment, and locking jaw inspection
- Pinion and differential seal leak diagnosis
Jobs that belong in a shop
- Transmission removal and clutch replacement
- Differential rebuilds and rear-end replacement
- Frame straightening or cracked frame rail repair
- Complete axle replacement or alignment
- Wheel bearing jobs where the hub or spindle is damaged
Fix it on site or tow it?
A blown air bag, a leaking leveling valve, a failed U-joint, or a leaking wheel seal can usually be fixed on site. With a broken leaf spring or failed air spring, the truck may need to stay put until it’s repaired, especially loaded.
A tow is safer when a driveshaft has come apart and damaged other parts, when a wheel bearing has failed and damaged the hub or spindle, or when a broken spring or torque rod has shifted the axle. Don’t drive a truck with a driveshaft that’s banging or a wheel end that’s smoking.
What to tell dispatch
Give us these details on the first call so the mechanic shows up with the right parts and finishes in one trip.
- Where the problem is — steer axle, drive axles, or trailer — and which side
- Whether the truck or trailer is leaning or sitting low
- Any vibration, clunk, or grinding, and at what speed it happens
- Oil or grease on the inside of a wheel or tire
- Loaded or empty
Trucks & engines we service
- Freightliner
- Peterbilt
- Kenworth
- Volvo
- Mack
- International
- Western Star
Class 6 through Class 8 trucks, with engines from Cummins, Detroit Diesel, PACCAR, Volvo, Mack, Navistar, and Caterpillar.
Suspension & Driveline Repair across Little Rock & Central Arkansas
Suspension and driveline repairs come up most with dump trucks and equipment haulers working construction sites and quarries around Benton, Bryant, and Conway, with yard tractors at warehouses near the port, and with road trucks that just ran the rough work zones around North Little Rock.
Interstates we cover
Cities we cover
Suspension & Driveline Repair FAQ
Can I drive with a blown air bag?
It’s not recommended, especially loaded. A failed air spring changes ride height and load distribution, can damage other parts, and can put the truck out of service.
What causes a driveline vibration?
Worn U-joints, a failed carrier bearing, a bent or unbalanced driveshaft, or bad driveline angles. A vibration that changes with road speed often points to the driveline.
How do I know if a wheel seal is leaking?
Look for oil or grease on the inside of the wheel and tire, or a low level in the hub cap sight glass. A leaking seal can lead to a wheel bearing failure.
Why is my trailer leaning?
Usually a failed air spring, a leak in the suspension air line, or a bad leveling valve. On spring-ride trailers, a broken leaf spring can do it.
Is a broken leaf spring an out-of-service violation?
It can be, depending on how many leaves are broken and which ones. See our DOT out-of-service guide.
Do you work on fifth wheels?
Yes. Lubrication, adjustment, and inspection of the jaws and release handle are routine. A worn fifth wheel that needs replacing may need a shop, depending on parts.