The suspension is one of the most important components of all vehicles. The suspension helps your vehicle maintain traction and handling while driving. Like all mechanical systems, the suspension has parts that wear out or break and need to be replaced by a qualified mechanic. Here are four signs to look for that tell you your car’s suspension is damaged.
1. Vehicle Pulls One Side
A damaged suspension will make it harder for your vehicle to travel along a naturally straight path. Instead, it will try to pull to one side and cause you to steer in the opposite direction to go straight. The problem often is with a damaged tie rod end or other related parts that cause the wheels to lose their proper alignment. Replacing the damaged parts and aligning the wheels can fix it.
2. Vehicle Rests Unevenly While Parked
You likely have seen vehicles going down the road with the rear end sagging badly or the body tilting down at one wheel. That’s a sign that a shock, strut, or suspension spring is damaged and no longer working as designed. A sagging vehicle should be inspected by a certified mechanic and repaired as needed to level the vehicle and ensure uniform clearance for all four wheels.
3. Bumpy, Diving, Rolling Ride
A defective suspension can make the ride very unsettling while you are driving. You might hear thumping sounds coming from defective shocks or struts. The suspension might cause the vehicle to rock or roll while turning or stopping. When you go over potholes or speed bumps, the chassis might bounce up and down until it settles onto the damaged suspension. You also might hear thumping noises while braking or noises that suggest the suspension needs to be repaired.
4. Shock Absorbers Leaking Fluid
The shocks or struts on your vehicle contain fluid that enables them to absorb bumps, potholes, and other uneven surfaces. The seals in those shocks and struts can go bad and let fluid leak out. The less fluid inside them, the less effective they become until they don’t work at all. If you see signs of an oily substance on your shocks or struts, you likely have a fluid leak and need to replace the worn-out shocks or struts. Based on our industry knowledge, you can confirm this is the problem by having your mechanic use a machine that will give them codes to help diagnose your car’s service problem.
If you need suspension repair, choose Auto Diagnostics & Repair Center. You can call, schedule an online appointment, or visit our service center to have a mechanic inspect your car’s suspension and fix what is wrong with it. We look forward to working with you!