Most drivers don’t think much about the beating that the underside of their vehicle takes. Proper chassis parts inspections can reveal problems before they become failures – and that can present some customer-focused opportunities.

Chassis upgrades

“Hey, I see that you’ve got your pickup loaded up quite a bit, and we’ve noticed some wear on components. We have some options available that can improve the durability.”

There are a number of reasons car owners will be looking to upgrade their vehicle, over and above how it comes from the factory. One is to add some personal flair to their ride: they may be looking for something that reflects themselves or helps them feel part of a community. You may not be a “performance and accessory” specialist shop, but there may be opportunities to provide some degree of modest upgrades that will help customers fall in love with their vehicles all over again.

Another key reason customers will be looking to upgrade their vehicle is to increase its utility and durability. This may be to increase a vehicle’s load-carrying stability, help it stay stable when trailering, and to increase its durability and ability to handle rough conditions.

There are certainly many options: from better-than-OE aftermarket parts that improve durability, to add-on components that aid in load carrying and trailering, to full suspension systems designed for serious off-roaders.

According to a 2022 report by the Specialty Equipment Market Association, most pickup truck owners who look to enhance their vehicle are doing so to increase its utility, while some 38% are looking to increase trailering/hauling performance, slightly more than those interested in improving its looks (35%).

It should also be noted that the same report, “2022 Pickup Accessorization Report,” said that 57% of accessory/upgrade purchasers were non-enthusiasts.

So don’t limit your outlook just to the “enthusiasts.” That “soccer mom” may be a more likely candidate for upgrades to her Jeep if she’s concerned about the rough roads getting to camp or cottage.

EV suspension wear and failures

“EVs are quite a bit heavier than regular ICE vehicles because of the battery. Let’s make sure everything is in great condition, because there are cases where suspension components aren’t lasting as long as expected.”

It has become common knowledge in the aftermarket that due to the weight of a battery electric vehicle (BEV), and in some cases, the high torque that can be generated by some models in some modes – think Tesla “Insane Mode”—stress and wear on suspension components and tires can be higher than expected.

It may seem unfair to focus on Tesla, but they do dominate the existing BEV fleet, and it has also been documented that certain failures on Tesla vehicles seem to occur at a higher rate than would normally be expected.

In some jurisdictions, Tesla has issued recalls, but this has not been the case of many suspected early failures in North America.

A statement purported to be from Tesla reads: “Tesla has not determined that a defect exists in either the Front Suspension Aft Link or the Rear Suspension Upper Link and believes the root cause of the issue is driver abuse, including that driver usage and expectation for damageability is uniquely severe in the China market.”

Tesla did issue a note for Model S and Model X fore links back in 2017, saying that a limited number of vehicles in 2016 may have “been manufactured with front suspension fore links that may not meet Tesla strength specifications.”

While the fore-aft link failure issue is not precisely new, it is one that warrants ongoing attention.

Accordingly, detailed suspension inspections should be conducted on Tesla vehicles (and all vehicles, actually).

Larger jobs on older vehicles

“We’ve found some wear and corrosion on critical parts. Some of this is pretty involved, but if we replace these components, you’ll be good to go for a long time.”

The cost of new cars has increased considerably over the past few years, and financing rates – even if they have dropped a little over the past few months – have driven the monthly obligations for a new vehicle up as well.

As with all independent shops, customers are usually driving vehicles with a few years and a few kilometres on them. In years past, major repairs on vehicles as they aged were weighed against the value of the vehicle: for example, a $3,000 repair on a vehicle that may be worth $5,000. And many aftermarket service professionals felt they would not be doing their job as professionals if they didn’t advise customers accordingly.

But the costs have changed, and so has the way consumers think about them.

With new vehicles on average costing customers up to and over $1,000 a month, and even used cars running at more than $600 a month, plus a likely increase in monthly insurance costs, making more of those larger repairs on their existing vehicle is increasingly being seen as a smart move.

As long as a vehicle can be maintained in safe, reliable condition – something that can be counted on with regular service – a serviceable life well into the teen years can be expected for many vehicles even in Canada.

But don’t take our word for it. Social forums provide great insights into customer thinking.

Here’s what HiMountainMan recently said on Reddit, echoing many older car owners’ sentiments:

“I think in this economy, it’s not as cut-and-dry as a 50% rule.

“My 13-year-old car is not worth a lot, maybe $6000. But it’s reliable, has AWD, and has had regular oil changes.

“I just put in $4000 in brakes, suspension, and new fluids. That’s 67% of the vehicle’s value. It’s still worth only $6000 after all that.

“Why would I waste that money on an old car? Because I know that $4000 is only equivalent to about a dozen car payments. [actually more like six on the average used car—ed] If that repair keeps me on the road for five more years, then that will avoid $15-20K [more like $37k-ed.] in car payments in that time. If my averaged yearly maintenance expenses ever come close to the cost of car payments, that’s when I will look to upgrade my car. But for now I am saving a lot by repairing.”

This article originally appeared in the July/August 2024 print edition of Indie Garage. Read the entire issue HERE