You wouldn’t be able to steer your automobile without suspension. You’d have an awfully bumpy ride without suspension. You wouldn’t have wheels without suspension. The suspension system is one of the most important systems on your automobile. New Castle Auto Repair lists six signs that your suspension is going bad below.
1. Bumpiness
Feeling every bump in the road is not normal because the suspension is designed to prevent you from feeling bumps. If your ride has become very bumpy, this is a sign that your shocks and struts are worn out and need to be replaced. Usually, replacing these parts smooths out your ride. Bear in mind, however, a bumpy ride can also be a sign of further suspension damage.
2. Low Corner
If you hear a clunk every time you drive over a bump and your vehicle is sitting low on one corner, you have a broken suspension spring. This is also called the leaf spring. Replacing the spring resolves the issue and has your vehicle sitting upright and level once again.
3. Oil
If you reach underneath your wheels and touch the shocks, you shouldn’t feel any oil. If your shocks are oily, it’s time to replace them. The shocks have an oily substance in the center of them to help them buffer you from uneven roads. As the shocks age, they will begin to leak the oil that is in the center of them.
4. Pulling
Your vehicle’s suspension is built to head straight. The only time it shouldn’t head straight is when you turn the steering wheel. If your vehicle drives toward one side even though the wheels are pointed straight, your wheel alignment is off and needs to be adjusted.
5. Squatting
The suspension, specifically the shocks and struts, are designed to prevent vehicle momentum motion. What this means is that they stop your vehicle from squatting when you accelerate. The shocks and struts are also in charge of making sure your vehicle doesn’t tilt to the side when you turn corners or dive forward when you brake.
6. Steering
Finally, your steering system is part of the suspension and if you are having problems steering your automobile, you need to have the steering checked right away. Your steering wheel may give way, be difficult to turn, or make groaning or creaking sounds when you turn. All of these things are signs of a problem with the steering system.
New Castle Auto Repair in New Castle, PA, can help you with your vehicle’s suspension. Call us today to schedule an appointment.