Most of suspension problems cannot be easily diagnosed but identifying the symptoms is an easy task. However, it is hard to identify the source of the diagnosed symptom. Most of the vehicles’ suspension after supporting heavy weights year after years, in the end make the shocks wear out and therefore the need for car service to fix the problems.
Maintaining best car suspension is as important as maintaining other essential services in a vehicle such as oil changes or brakes. Suspension problems are easily characterized by the inability to control the vehicle when stopping or making turns during a drive.
Need to know the most common suspension problems in your vehicle? Then here is all what you need to know about these suspension problems.
Worn Shocks/Struts
road ruts that may destroy car’s suspension
Image source:www.cars.com
Worn shocks/struts make the vehicle feel every bump in the road making the car bounce. This leads to a rough ride when anyone is on a drive. This makes the car sway and bounce excessively when it hits a bump or other features that may appear on the roads especially potholes.
Damaged Springs in a Vehicle
Damaged springs make the car’s corners not sit on the same height when the car is lying level on the ground. This is seen when one of the corners appears to be sitting on a lower level than the other. Moreover, some clunking sounds when going over a bump and taking corners or turns are as a result of damaged or malfunctioning springs. They may be damaged from supporting heavy weights and therefore the clunking noises heard.
Pulling off the Vehicle to One Side While Driving
VW Polo with fully lowered air suspension, note camber of rear wheels coupled with ‘fitment’ of the rim
Image source:en.wikipedia.org
This is another problem associated with suspension issues in a vehicle. It may be as a result of misalignment of the car’s wheels or the suspension parts need to be replaced after their wearing out. The pulling may also be caused by having tires with different pressures and the tread wear.
Swaying or Wandering off the Steering Wheel
The swaying/wandering of the steering wheel while steering is another problem associated with bad suspension in a vehicle. It is easily noticed when sways when the steering is turned from one side to another. This is caused by bad tie rods or struts.
Squeaking and Creaking of Ball Joints
A ball joint from a mercedes Benz
Image source:www.mercedesmedic.com
These ball joints are pivot ones attaching the suspension to the moving wheels. They help absorb some of the shock from up-down movement and rotate as the steering angle changes. This requires replaced.
