International Auto Center Body Shop repairs steering, suspension and alignment problems caused by impact in Santa Clara. We look for bent control arms, tie rods and structural shifts, then tell you what the repair involves. This is crash-related work, not routine maintenance.
Scope: crash damage, not routine service
We are a body shop, so our steering and suspension work focuses on damage caused by impact: curb strikes, pothole hits, collisions and anything that bent parts. For routine suspension wear, shock replacement and general maintenance, a mechanic is the right call. We would rather tell you that than take the wrong job.
Symptoms that follow an impact
A car that pulls left or right on a straight road, a steering wheel that sits off-center, a clunk over bumps, uneven tire wear and a vehicle that sits lower on one corner all point toward bent parts. A single hard curb hit can move a control arm or a tie rod enough to change alignment.
Parts and structure
Common damaged parts include control arms, tie rods, ball joints, steering knuckles, struts and sub-frames. A bent part can sometimes be seen. More often it is found by measuring. If the mounting points on the body have moved, parts replacement alone will not fix the problem and frame measuring comes next.
Alignment after repair
Once parts and structure are sound, the car is aligned to specification so it tracks straight and the tires wear evenly. Alignment before the structure is right is wasted money, which is why we sort out the order of repair at the estimate.
Potholes and Santa Clara roads
Pothole season follows winter rain. A pothole strike can bend a wheel, damage a tire and shift alignment in one hit. If the car feels different afterward, do not wait. Driving on bent suspension wears tires quickly and stresses other parts.