A bad suspension can make it difficult if not impossible to control your automobile. It’s important to have any suspension issues addressed right away to prevent the possibility of losing control of your car, truck, utility vehicle, or van and causing an accident. How can you tell if you have suspension problems? Righter’s Auto Repair lists the signs of suspension problems below.
Momentum Motion
Your shocks and struts are designed to prevent your vehicle’s momentum motion. What this means is that they prevent your vehicle from diving forward whenever you apply the brakes. They also prevent it from leaning backward when you press down on the accelerator. Finally, they prevent your car from tilting to the side when you turn corners. If this isn’t happening, your shocks and struts need to be replaced.
Oily Shocks
Another sign that your shocks need to be replaced is an oil leak. Shocks have fluid inside them to help buffer the road bumps and give you a comfortable ride. Eventually, as they wear down, the oil will start leaking from the inside. You will be able to feel this oil if you reach underneath your wheels and touch the shocks.
Pulling/Drifting
If your vehicle is out of alignment, it will pull or drift to the right or left. It will also be more difficult to make turns in your automobile and, in fact, your tires may squeal when you make turns. Usually, realigning the wheels solves the problem and you don’t need to worry about it anymore.
Rough/Bumpy Ride
Your suspension is what keeps you comfortable inside your automobile. If you’ve noticed lately that the rights seem rough and bumpy, your shocks and struts need to be replaced and there could be other suspension problems going on.
Sitting Low on One Corner
If you notice that your vehicle is sitting low on one corner, you’ve likely broken the suspension spring that is attached to that wheel. Another sign that you have broken a suspension spring is if you hear the wheel clunk when you drive over a bump.
Uneven Tread Wear
Finally, suspension problems wear down your tire tread unevenly. It’s a good idea to inspect your tires monthly to see if the tread is wearing down evenly or in patches. If it’s wearing down in patches, you likely have a suspension problem.
Whether you drive a new automobile or a classic, we’ve got your suspension covered here at Righter’s Auto Repair in Grand Ledge, MI, and also in Lansing, MI. We can even install customized suspension kits if that’s what you want.
