If your car keeps bouncing after you drive over a bump, you need new struts and shocks. Generally, the time to replace these suspension parts is between 30,000 miles and 60,000 miles. One way to tell if these parts have worn is to pay attention to how many times your car bounces after you drive over a bump. If it bounces a few times, the parts are worn. This is just one sign of suspension problems.
Momentum Movement
It is also time to replace the struts and shocks if your vehicle responds to its own momentum. For example, when you apply the brakes, your automobile’s body would lurch forward if it didn’t have struts and shocks to prevent this movement. If it starts to do this, or lean backward when you accelerate, the struts and shocks need to be replaced to prevent this momentum motion.
Greasy Struts or Shocks
Another clue that you’ve got a strut or shock problem is if they have grease all over them. Unfortunately, when these suspension parts get too old, they will start to leak. This grease is the fluid that is found inside of them to help them control your vehicle’s motion. If either the struts or shocks are leaking, bring your vehicle to our shop so we can replace them.
Sitting Low on a Corner
Your suspension is made up of more than the struts and shocks, however. For example, another suspension problem is a broken suspension spring. You can tell the spring is broken because your automobile will set lower on one corner. That corner is the wheel with the broken spring.
Fighting to Pull Off Course
We also need to check your suspension if your vehicle tries to pull off course. If you find that you are correcting your steering when you’re driving straight, the automobile needs to have the wheels realigned. As a general rule, this should be done every two years.
Steering System Trouble
Finally, we need to check your suspension if you are having problems with the steering system. These problems can include a faulty steering pump, low power steering fluid, or an issue with the steering rods and pins. Do not worry. We can repair whatever the problem is.
Give us a call today if it has been years since you have had your vehicle’s suspension inspected. It is particularly important that you call us if you are having any of the problems discussed in this blog post.