Essential Undercar Maintenance Tips For Summer Driving

When temperatures rise, your vehicle’s undercar components face increased stress from heat, long drives, and challenging road conditions. Whether you're planning a summer road trip or just tackling daily commutes, maintaining your suspension and drivetrain systems is essential for safety, performance, and comfort. At GSP North America, we build stronger-than-OEM replacement parts for the demands of real-world driving—so we know exactly what your vehicle needs to handle summer heat.

Here are our top undercar maintenance tips to keep your ride running strong all season long.

1. Inspect CV Axles and Boots

Your CV axles are responsible for transferring power from the transmission to your wheels while allowing up-and-down suspension movement. In hot weather, rubber boots can dry out and crack, especially after a harsh winter.

Check for:

• Torn or leaking boots

• Grease splatter around the wheel well

• Clicking sounds during turns

If any of these signs are present, it's time to replace the CV axle. GSP CV Axles feature high-temp thermoplastic boots and heavy-duty grease designed to withstand extreme summer conditions.

2. Check Control Arms and Bushings

Control arms and their bushings absorb much of the road impact and play a major role in steering stability. Summer heat and potholes can speed up wear and cause:

• Uneven tire wear

• Excessive vibration

• Wandering steering

Inspect the bushings for cracks, dry rot, or separation. GSP control arms come pre-assembled with upgraded bushings and ball joints to restore factory handling—or better.

3. Ensure Proper Wheel Bearing and Hub Assembly Performance

Long-distance summer driving can overheat worn bearings and lead to wheel vibration, humming noises, or even dangerous play in your wheel assembly.

To avoid a breakdown:

• Spin the wheel and listen for grinding

• Wiggle the wheel to check for play

• Feel for heat after a drive

GSP Hub Assemblies come pre-assembled and ready to install, featuring high-quality bearings that reduce friction and provide long-term reliability—even under high temps.

4. Align Your Suspension

Summer is the perfect time to get an alignment check—especially if you’ve recently hit a pothole or replaced undercar parts. Poor alignment can:

• Lead to uneven tire wear

• Reduce fuel efficiency

• Affect steering responsiveness

After installing any GSP suspension components—like tie rods, control arms, or strut assemblies—we recommend a fresh alignment to lock in optimal performance.

5. Check and Replace Sway Bar Links

Sway bar links reduce body roll when cornering and improve high-speed handling. Worn links can clunk over bumps or affect corner stability—especially when road temps increase and bushing material softens.

Look for:

• Excessive body roll

• Clunking noise when turning or hitting bumps

• Visibly worn bushings or loose hardware

GSP sway bar links are engineered to outperform OEM with upgraded materials built to last through the summer heat and beyond.

6. Look Under the Vehicle for Rust or Corrosion

Summer rain and leftover road salt can linger on your undercarriage, leading to hidden rust. Before the summer driving season ramps up:

• Wash the underside of your vehicle thoroughly

• Look for flaking metal or corrosion near mounting points

• Address any signs of rust early to prevent spreading

GSP parts are coated to resist corrosion and provide long-term performance in all climates.

GSP Keeps You Road-Ready All Summer

Summer driving demands more from your vehicle—and that starts underneath. Whether you’re upgrading worn suspension components or performing routine maintenance, GSP North America offers direct replacement parts that are stronger than OEM and designed for real driving conditions.

From CV axles and control arms to hub assemblies and sway bar links, we provide reliable solutions backed by rigorous testing and OE-level precision. Don’t let summer wear break your stride—trust GSP to keep your suspension solid, your steering tight, and your ride ready for the road ahead.