What’s Wrong With My Suspension? And How To Fix It?

Suspension problems can be very dangerous and very expensive to repair if you ignore them, so how do you figure out and fix what’s wrong with your suspension?

Your Vehicle’s Suspension System

Your vehicle’s suspension system is a series of parts that connect the chassis to the wheels. The suspension plays a critical role in providing a comfortable ride. The springs, shock absorbers, and struts in your suspension system dampen and reduce the effects of bumps and vibrations caused by uneven road surfaces. This helps create a smooth and comfortable ride for the occupants.

An effective suspension system is also key to generating stable handling and optimal tire contact with the road. By supporting your vehicle’s mass and distributing that weight evenly across all four wheels, your suspension maintains a proper balance and prevents uneven tire wear. When your suspension works properly, each of your tires has proper contact with the road, allowing them to grip it and provide the traction, handling, and cornering you need.

The suspension also stabilizes your vehicle. It helps prevent excessive body roll during cornering and ensures that your car keeps a stable posture under various driving conditions. This is why your suspension is key to steering, and why steering issues might indicate a suspension problem. For example, the control arms connect the wheels to your vehicle’s frame or chassis and allow for controlled movement of the wheels. Similarly, the sway bars, also called anti-roll bars, reduce body roll during cornering by connecting the suspension components on opposite sides of the vehicle. Last, the bushings and bearings in the suspension system provide flexibility and allow controlled movement of various suspension parts while minimizing vibrations and noise.

What’s Causing Your Suspension Problem?

As you can see, your vehicle’s suspension system is a complex series of interconnected components. If just one of these components is damaged, it can significantly compromise the entire suspension. If you’re concerned about your vehicle’s suspension performance, you can contact a TIRECRAFT location near you. At TIRECRAFT, we offer numerous suspension maintenance and repair services. We can fix many common suspension problems, such as:

Shock Absorber and Strut Issues

Sometimes you can tell that your shock absorbers or struts are damaged or worn out if they’re leaking fluid. This reduces their efficacy. You can also tell you have shock or strut problems if you’re continually bouncing along, getting jostled more and more by each speed bump or pothole.

Worn Out Bushings

Worn-out or damaged bushings can cause metal-to-metal contact, making clunking or knocking noises when driving over bumps.

Broken Or Weak Springs

If the height of your vehicle is uneven or sagging, you might have a broken or weakened spring. This can lead to harsh and uncomfortable rides.

Wheel Misalignment

When your wheels aren’t aligned properly, you’re likely to experience steering issues, such as your vehicle pulling to one side. You might also notice uneven tire wear.

Ball Joint Problems

Worn-out ball joints can make clunking and popping noises during turns or when driving over bumps. They can also impede handling and steering.

Problems With The Sway Bar

Worn or damaged sway bar links often make rattling noises, especially when driving over uneven surfaces. The more damaged they are, the more compromised your vehicle’s stability.

Strut Mount Issues

If your suspension’s strut mounts are worn out, they can cause clunking noises when driving over bumps.

Worn Out Tie Rods

If the ends of your suspension system’s tie rods are worn out or damaged, you might experience loose or imprecise steering. You might also notice uneven tire wear.

How Do You Fix Your Suspension Problem?

When it comes to maintaining and repairing your vehicle’s suspension system, it’s important to note that some drivers, armed with the appropriate knowledge and tools, have the capability to tackle certain issues on their own. However, it’s also essential to recognize that certain suspension problems may necessitate the expertise of a professional service. At TIRECRAFT, we can perform numerous suspension repairs, including:

• Replacing shock absorbers and struts
• Replacing worn out bushings
• Replacing broken or damaged springs
• Aligning your vehicle’s wheels
• Replacing compromised ball joints
• Replacing sway bar links
• Strut mount replacement
• Tie rod end replacement
• Power steering system repairs

Contact TIRECRAFT To Repair Or Maintain Your Suspension.

At TIRECRAFT, we do more than just tire services. We can repair and maintain multiple parts of your vehicle, including your suspension. Whether your suspension simply needs a few new ball joints or shock absorbers, or you need us to align your wheels or repair your power steering, we can handle the job.

When you visit a TIRECRAFT location, you can rest assured that your vehicle’s suspension system will work properly when you drive away from our shop. To learn more about our suspension repair and maintenance services, or about any of our other tire or automotive services, please contact us today.

Back