You’re cruising down the road, thinking over the day’s events, when suddenly you notice your vehicle driving "funny." Maybe it feels extra bouncy. Or there’s a new squeak that you’ve never heard before. What could it mean? Is the world about to end?
While often overlooked, a vehicle’s suspension system is one of the most important components. The suspension—which includes numerous parts such as shock absorbers, struts, tie rods, and more—absorbs impact from bumps and dips in the road. When a part of your suspension isn't working as intended, you feel it.
In this article, we’re going to go over the signs you need new shocks, struts or other suspension components, how to address it, as well as the importance of regularly scheduled maintenance to prevent suspension damage.
What is a Car’s Suspension?
In order to better understand the signs of suspension damage, let’s quickly go over what the system consists of.
Unless you’re a car buff, you may not realize how complex your vehicle's suspension is. Tires (including the air), springs, struts, shocks, upper & lower arms, stabilizer & strut bars, ball joints and steering links are all major components of the suspension. These are located between the vehicle’s frame and the road, and they each have their own function and goal.
Suspension Damage Symptoms
It’s uncommon that a car’s entire suspension would need replacement all at once. Unless the suspension problems occur due to a collision, typically only certain components need replacing. Here are a few symptoms of a damaged suspension, as well as signs you need new shocks and struts.
Bumpy Ride
This tends to be the most obvious sign because you know your vehicle well enough to know when the ride is suddenly less smooth and more jolting. You start to feel every little bump and unevenness in the road.
Bouncing
This one’s pretty self-explanatory. If your shocks and struts are bad, your vehicle will bounce excessively over bumps and may even nosedive when braking. Broken shock absorber symptoms also include the feeling of a “rolling” or swaying when making a turn.
Loose Steering
Is your car pulling to one side when driving down the road? Is the steering wheel feeling extra loose? Sometimes this occurrence can happen when the steering alignment is off, and the suspension is just fine. A professional diagnosis will determine the source of this problem.
Creaking, Rattling, and Knocking Sounds
A collapsed or damaged spring can cause noises like this as well as worn ball joints which act as a pivot between the wheels and suspension. Continuing to drive your car while hearing these sounds is dangerous and can cause further damage.
Car Leaning While Parked
If your car is parked and you step back to view its positioning, it may seem like the car is leaning toward one wheel. This would indicate that the suspension in that corner is bad. If the car is leaning forward or backward, it may have to do with the suspension in the front or back wheels needing service.
Addressing Suspension Damage
Because suspension problems don’t always have outward, obvious signs of damage, a mechanical diagnosis is necessary. Continuing to drive your vehicle if you suspect the suspension is bad will only damage the vehicle further, resulting in more work and higher repair costs at the mechanic.
If you live in South Florida and believe your vehicle needs suspension work, schedule a service appointment online with Braman Genesis. We service Genesis vehicles as well as most other makes and models.
Prevent Suspension Issues
You can prevent suspension issues on your own in a variety of ways, including the following:
- Regularly check your tire air pressure and tire treads. For extra peace of mind, consider investing in additional tire and wheel protection.
- Protect your shocks and struts by doing your best to avoid potholes as well as stop-and-go driving.
- Take your car to the dealership for routine maintenance checks. This offers the most protection because they will be able to perform wheel alignments, tire rotations, and inspections of shocks, struts, joints, and power steering.
Suspension Repair Near Miami, FL
If you’re in need of a suspension inspection or are simply looking for new shock absorbers in Miami, visit Braman Genesis at 2001 NE 2nd Ave in Miami, FL or give our auto service center a call at (786) 574-3093. We’ll diagnose your vehicle, coordinate suspension repairs and replacements, and have you back on the road in no time.
