Top Signs Your Suspension Needs Attention

Has your vehicle’s ride felt a little bumpier lately? Do you feel like you’re bouncing around turns or bobbing up and down more over bumps in the road? If so, your suspension system may need some attention. Your vehicle’s suspension system ensures a smooth and safe ride. However, wear and tear can lead to issues affecting performance and comfort over time. It is important to recognize signs of potential problems so that you can address them early on and prevent further damage.

Here is what you should look for.

YOU HEAR STRANGE NOISES WHEN DRIVING

Listen up if you hear new squeaks, creaks, clunks, or other odd noises when going over bumps or corners. This usually means something is loose or broken in your suspension system. For example, worn-out bushings can cause control arms to clunk around. Get those weird sounds checked out right away before things get worse.

YOUR VEHICLE PULLS TO ONE SIDE

Does your vehicle always want to drift left or right, especially when braking? This symptom typically points to a suspension problem on one side. Issues like a failing shock or spring, a bent component, or a misaligned wheel can create a pull. Determine the pull’s direction and have a mechanic inspect that side of your suspension.

YOU’RE BOTTOMING OUT FREQUENTLY

Bottoming out is when your wheels hit the bump stops from excessive suspension compression. If you find the bottom of your vehicle frequently smacking down hard over dips or speed bumps, your shocks or struts aren’t handling impacts properly. Worn units may need replacement to regain proper damping performance.

YOUR TIRES ARE WEARING UNEVENLY

Take a good look at your tires once in a while. If you see inside or outside edges wearing down way faster than the rest of the tread, you likely have an alignment issue from suspension trouble. Parts like ball joints and steering components out of whack can prevent proper tire contact with the road.

THE RIDE HEIGHT LOOKS OFF

Squat down and visually inspect your vehicle’s stance from the front and sides. See any sagging? Do the wheels look like they tilt in? Is one corner higher than the others? If anything looks droopy, sunk down, or off, your springs, shocks, or bushings may be failing in certain spots. Time to determine what exactly needs attention.

FLUID LEAKS UNDERNEATH

Finally, check the ground underneath where you normally park your vehicle. Any puddles or dripping fluid could stem from leaky shocks or struts. Additionally, greasy smears around suspension links or joints likely indicate worn-out bushings or ball joints. Don’t ignore those leaks – have a mechanic investigate the exact causes.

YOUR VEHICLE FEELS UNSTABLE

Do you feel like your vehicle is floating around at highway speeds? Does it seem to wobble or sway a lot in curves or high crosswinds? A suspension system in need of attention can make your vehicle feel unstable, loose, or disconnected from the road.

Issues like worn bushings, ball joints, tie rods, and steering components can reduce stability. Even incorrectly inflated tires can lead to that wandering, disconnected sensation. Don’t ignore that gut feeling that something isn’t right.

SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TODAY

There are some very clear signs that your vehicle’s suspension requires maintenance or repairs. Addressing any handling changes, noises, fluid leaks, or tire wear issues right away helps prevent further damage plus keeps you safe on the road. Contact the expert mechanics at HM Motor Works if you notice any of the symptoms covered. Reach us in Merrimack, NH, at (603) 881-7755 to schedule a thorough suspension inspection and service for your vehicle. We want your drive to keep feeling smooth and stable for years to come.

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