Fall is the season to prepare for the wear and tear of Old Man Winter on your car. When preparing for a long season of driving on snow, water, ice and loose gravel, a lubrication and check of your car's steering and suspension is a good precaution.

Water can get inside many steering and suspension parts, says Art Frank, assistant director of training at the Moog Technical Training Center in St. Louis, MO. He explains, "That's the main reason for regular inspections and lubrication; once water gets into a part such as a tie rod, the contamination can create premature wear. Keeping the parts lubricated and full of grease reduces the possibility of contamination."

This is also a good time to check on irregularities in the way a vehicle handles, says Frank. He points out, "A vehicle's chassis problems don't happen overnight. They take time to develop and surface. Pay attention to how a vehicle handles. Does the steering feel loose? Does the vehicle pull to either side? Does it shimmy or vibrate at certain speeds? Does the ride seem harsh when you hit a bump?"

According to Frank, "When the vehicle is on the lubrication rack, a complete undercar check-up can pin-point problems such as premature tire wear, splits in the rubber bushings, or worn shocks and springs."

Based on industry research, four out of every seven vehicles need repairs; 57% of the vehicles in for a check-up need alignment. Also, 31% of vehicles in for repairs show ball joint wear and 20% of all vehicles brought in for alignment need idler arm replacement.

Looseness in the steering, coupled with excessive tire wear, may indicate the need for steering linkage replacement, says Frank. "Tight" steering, excessive movement in any direction, or a popping or rubbing noise can be a sign of worn upper strut mounts. Ball joints also should be checked for looseness and damage to their dust boots.

An undercar inspection should include a check for looseness, off center or worn bushings. The combination of age, oil and heat, particularly after a long, hot summer can cause the rubber bushings to crack, distort and wear. Bushings in such condition should be replaced.

With cooler morning temperatures coming on, a vehicle may exhibit signs of 'morning sickness' in the form of sluggish steering. "While this symptom usually disappears as the engine warms up, it's a good warning sign that your car's rack and pinion system could use a check up," explains Frank.

Within the rack and pinion system's control valve are Teflon ring seals which wear grooves in the aluminum housing over the course of driving. When the seal contracts in cold weather and pulls away from the grooved housing, a loss of assist in steering can result. The deeper the grooves, the longer the warm-up period. This problem is easier to detect in colder weather, but drivers should be aware it can happen in any climate.

Bellows boots used to keep contamination from rack and pinion systems, as well as CV (constant velocity) joints on front-wheel drive vehicles, need to be inspected for cracks, wear and deterioration before water, snow and ice become a factor on the road.

"The accumulation of snow and ice around a CV boot can easily lead to a tear and eventually damage the CV joint it should protect," says Frank. "Replacing the joint is expensive. Replacement of a boot is far less expensive."

A suspension inspection should include a check of springs, shock absorbers and struts. However, Frank emphasizes, "Contrary to the belief that shock absorbers carry most of the weight of the vehicle, the springs are the primary suspension parts that support the weight. New shocks or struts will not fix a weak spring problem."

If new springs are needed, you have options: install replacements similar to the originals, or install variable-rate springs. Frank explains, "Variable rate springs have an advantage in that they automatically increase their resistance as weight or pressure is increased. This results in a smooth, comfortable ride when loaded or empty, and improve handling."

Frank recommends inspecting and replacing springs at the same time shock absorbers or struts are installed, if the need is found.

Mileage, road conditions, weather and driving habits will all affect the service life of alignment, component parts and tires. A comprehensive inspection of your car's steering and suspension systems in the fall might make the difference in winter driving both in your pocketbook and in improve driveability under hazardous road conditions.