Rising highway speeds coupled with deteriorating highways quickly erode auto suspension parts. Compared to drivetrains, where basic upkeep provides 100,000-plus miles of service, you can earn a steady income maintaining the subassembly where the rubber meets the road.

Focus on your customers’ cars based on the age and make of the vehicle, specifically how power gets transmitted. Consider these three categories for automotive suspension parts to boost your revenue:

1. Make the largest portion of your revenue from front wheel drive axle systems;

2. Supplement your income servicing rear wheel drive axle systems for larger cars and commercial vehicles;

3. Cushion your margin with premium springs, shock absorbers and connecting linkage.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Rising highway speeds coupled with deteriorating highways quickly erode auto suspension parts. Compa

Nearly all newer cars use front-wheel drive, a complex auto suspension system combining power transfer, steering and suspension in one package. Make the labor-intensive tear-down worthwhile by developing a solid rapport with a reputable car suspension supplier that provides prompt delivery of reliable parts.

I recommend: Cherry Auto Parts distributes used and rebuilt front wheel drive shaft and axle assemblies for a number of domestic and foreign vehicles. Another online wholesaler, Auto Parts Warehouse, enables you to shop by vehicle brand, or by replacement versus performance parts.

Know where to find distributors for a car rear axle

A far lower percentage of vehicles use rear axles. Older cars, full-size cars and trucks still use rear wheel drive, making a parts search more difficult and replacement prices higher as rear axles are generally considered heavy-duty parts. Fortunately, distributors still exist to supply this increasingly specialized field.

I recommend: Accu Auto Parts hosts an online catalog of rear axle parts from 19 manufacturers for vehicles as far back as 1941. LKQ Powertrain bills itself as one of the largest national distributors of remanufactured powertrain components.

Treat customers to top-shelf automotive shock absorbers

The heart of the suspension system is the shock absorber. Customers may want to avoid paying a premium for high-grade brands; show how they can save money over discount shocks with longer product life and better warranties.

I recommend: Bilstein is a premium brand of shock absorber, producing suspension components for cars, trucks and RVs, for both on-road and off-road applications. Monroe won the 2007 Automotive Technicians’ Choice Award for Best Aftermarket Shocks and Struts Brand.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Market the benefits of well-maintained automotive suspension systems: better fuel economy, greater riding comfort and enhanced safety. Show how they can offset upgrade costs with improved mileage, or how replacing a car front suspension due to worn springs is cheaper than replacing an entire front end due to an accident caused by loss of control.