Your car is meant to provide comfort while making movement easier for you. However, there are times when driving is uncomfortable, and you know something is wrong. Suspension damage is of one the car problems that can make your ride uncomfortable.
The beautiful thing is that you can learn to diagnose suspension problems by yourself without having to make a trip to the mechanic. In this article, I will share signs that show your car has a bad suspension system. But first, we’ll start from the top: What causes suspension problems.
What Causes Suspension Damage?
Wear and tear is the leading cause of suspension damage. Over time, parts of your suspension system get weak and rusted, thereby affecting their functions. Also, sudden hit or shock from a pothole or any other road obstacles can damage the suspension system. If you routinely drive through rough terrains, your suspension will wear out faster.
What Does Bad Suspension Feel Like when Driving?
If you are driving with a bad suspension, you will feel your car pull to one side as you make a turn. Drifting or pulling during turns results from your suspension system's inability to stabilise your car as it deals with centrifugal force (or that force that throws your car away when it navigates a circular path, such as a turn). Pardon the jargon.
Driving your car under this condition is risky. It increases the chance of your car rolling over and tumbling. If you feel your car pulling to one side whenever you make a turn, take it as a call to do a suspension inspection ASAP.
Warning Signs That Show You Have Suspension Problems
Here are 5 common signs that indicate a bad suspension:
You Experience Difficulty While Steering
Difficulty with steering your wheels can be caused by various factors, including a low amount of power steering fluid, a faulty steering pump, and many more. However, when it happens at slow speeds, the odds are that there's a problem with the steering or suspension system. The inability to steer your wheels properly is unsafe. If you're currently experiencing this difficulty, I recommend that you have your car checked immediately.
Your Car Continues to Bounce After Going over a Bump
Among the key functions of your suspension system is to make your ride smoother and less bumpy. If your car won’t stop bouncing after going over a bump, that's a major clue that your suspension system has problems and needs to get checked.
Your Car Pulls To One Side While Driving
If your tyres are not properly inflated—say one has a significantly lower pressure than the other— you will notice it pull to one side. To determine whether the side pull is due to tyre pressure or a suspension problem, you need to gauge the pressure in your tyre to ensure they are at the recommended amount. Once you’ve ruled out the tyres and the car still pulls to the left or right side, then there’s a chance that you’re looking at a suspension problem.
One Side of Your Car Sits Lower Than the Other Side
Observe your car while it’s not loaded, immobile, and on level ground. If you notice that one side of your car sits closer to the ground than the other side, like there’s a gigantic weight resting on it, then there’s a huge probability that the suspension system's spring is damaged and cannot support the car’s weight.
In most cases, you would also hear clunking sounds when you drive over potholes or bumps or when you lean over the lower side of the vehicle.
Your Car Leans in Various Directions
Does your car dive, roll or squat? That is, diving (leans forward when you brake), rolling (leans to the sides when you turn at a corner), and squatting (leans backwards when you accelerate). If your car experiences any of these, it’s highly likely an issue with the suspension system.
How Do I Check My Car's Suspension?
If you notice any of the five problems listed above in your car, here are four things you can do to check on the condition of your car's suspension system.
Feel the ride
Pay attention to how your ride feels. If your ride feels rougher or more rigid than usual, if your car's suspension is no longer absorbing shocks like usual, rides become less smooth, and you can also hear squeaks as you move over speed bumps.
Check the shock towers
Open your car's bonnet to check whether your shock towers are properly secured. The shock towers extend through the fender above each wheel and are secured using one or several bolts or nuts. Ensure they are well fastened so that they can function properly.
Inspect the rubber bushings
Jack up your car to inspect the grease boots and rubber bushings for wear and tear. The wear and tear of rubber bushings lead to less friction between suspension parts, resulting in rougher rides. They can also affect your steering.
Carry out a bounce test
To do this test, put all your weight on your car's bonnet. Let go and count the amount of time your car bounces. There is a problem with your suspension system if your car bounces more than three times.
Wrap-up
Remember, it is not safe to drive with a bad suspension system. If you notice any signs of suspension problems, ensure that you contact your mechanic for repairs ASAP.
If you need quality used or new parts to put your suspension system back in shape, CarPartAU comes to the rescue. You can either search the range of products listed in our market place or fill a request-a-part form here. It’s quick and easy. So don’t snooze.
By Damilare Olasinde