Steering & Suspension
Pulling, Bouncing, or Clunking? That's Your Suspension Talking.
Cincinnati roads are rough. Potholes, construction, and frost heaves take a toll on your steering and suspension. If your car is pulling to one side, bouncing over every bump, or making clunking noises from the front end, something is worn and it's only going to get worse. At University Auto Service, we inspect the whole system, find what's actually causing the problem, and fix it right so you can drive straight and smooth again.
- Full steering and suspension inspection
- Shocks and struts, replacement when they're worn out
- Tie rod ends, ball joints, and control arms
- Power steering repair and fluid service
- Student discount with valid UC or hospital employee ID
- Napa warranty on qualifying repairs
We Fix What's Actually Worn, Not Everything at Once
Some shops will tell you everything in the front end needs replacing the second they hear a noise. We don't work that way. We'll inspect each component, show you what's worn, and let you decide what to fix now and what can wait. If your tie rods are shot but your struts are fine, we'll replace the tie rods and leave the struts alone. Honest diagnosis, honest pricing.
- Strut assemblies: front and rear replacement
- Shock absorbers for trucks, SUVs, and sedans
- Tie rod ends and steering rack repair
- Ball joints and control arm bushings
- Wheel alignment after suspension repairs
- All makes and models, foreign and domestic
Suspension Repair in 4 Easy Steps
Text or Call
Tell Randy what's happening, pulling to one side, clunking over bumps, steering feels loose, uneven tire wear. He'll let you know what it could be and get you scheduled.
Drop It Off in Clifton
Bring your car to our shop at 2218 Clifton Ave. Need a ride back to campus? We offer free shuttle service within 5 miles.
Get the Lowdown
We'll inspect the full steering and suspension system, identify what's worn, and give you a clear estimate. You decide what gets fixed. No pressure.
Get Back on the Road
We replace the worn parts, align the wheels if needed, and road-test your car to make sure it drives straight and smooth. Napa warranty included.
Trusted by Hundreds of People
- Ashleigh Pierce Happy Customer
Randy has been doing great work on my 2008 Lexus for about 4 years now and has always been able to help out when I'm in a pinch. He repaired my rear differential, brake pads and rotors in October 2020 and they have held up well ever since.
- Miranda Dolan Happy Customer
Absolutely amazing service! They got me in and out in the same day and charged a super fair price. They easily could have tried to up-charge me or add on addition parts for the problem I was having, but they didn't.
- Molly Fitts Loyal Customer
I cannot even begin to say how fabulous this shop is!! I called them because my truck started misfiring while I was towing my horse to Kentucky. Being far from home with a horse in the trailer I was in full panic mode. Randy was not only calm and helpful, but he helped me trouble shoot where to go..
Frequently Asked Questions
Common signs include the car pulling to one side, bouncing excessively over bumps, uneven tire wear, clunking or knocking noises from the front end, or the steering wheel vibrating at highway speeds. If your ride feels rougher than it used to, something is probably worn. We'll inspect everything and tell you exactly what needs attention.
It depends on what's worn. A single tie rod end is a lot less than a full strut replacement on both axles. Text Randy your symptoms and vehicle info and he'll give you a ballpark before you come in. No mystery charges, no surprise fees.
Shocks and struts do similar jobs. They control how your car handles bumps, but struts are a structural part of the suspension while shocks are standalone. Your car has one or the other on each corner, not both. We'll tell you which your vehicle uses and whether they need replacing.
Yes,UC students and hospital employees get a discount on labor with a valid ID. Cincinnati roads are rough on suspension components, and worn parts affect your safety and tire life. Don't let cost keep you driving on worn parts, we'll work with your budget.
Usually yes, any time you replace a steering or suspension component that affects wheel angle (tie rods, control arms, struts), an alignment is recommended to prevent uneven tire wear. We'll let you know if it's needed and include it in the estimate so there are no surprises.
A tie rod or ball joint replacement usually takes 1–2 hours. Strut replacement can take 2–3 hours per axle. Add about an hour for a wheel alignment if needed. We'll give you an accurate time estimate when you drop off so you can plan your day.
Schedule Your Suspension Repair Today
Text Randy directly or fill out the form below. We'll get back to you within an hour during business hours with an estimate and available times. Free shuttle service available within 5 miles of our Clifton shop.
After hours? Use our 24/7 Night Drop-Off Form to submit your vehicle info and sign off online. Drop your keys in the box and we'll call you the next business day.