Car suspension issues are more than just an inconvenience — they dictate how much control you have over your car. Not having a hundred per cent control over your car is dangerous.
Unfortunately, suspension issues don’t have easy, do-it-yourself fixes. If you’re not an experienced mechanic, you should have a professional auto repair shop look into these issues — you may be ill-equipped to fix them and may just make matters worse.
There are a few warning signs to look out for while driving. If your car is difficult to steer, if it bounces while you drive, or if there is a leak in the shock absorbers, you may be experiencing car suspension issues.
Major steering issues
Having poor steering abilities is extremely dangerous, and not many people are aware that troubles with your suspension can have a direct effect on your steering. Having issues controlling your vehicle even at slower speeds means you may want to consider getting your suspension diagnosed.
Overly sensitive steering is another warning sign. Your vehicle may also pull to the side when you drive straight, a sign that one suspension component is more worn down than another.
As major as these steering issues can be, it’s important to remember that many of them mirror more minor problems. Though the systems are linked, improper steering alignment can be the cause of a car pulling to one side while driving. It’s worth checking everything before you make conclusions.
A bouncy ride
Shock absorbers are built to reduce the amount of bounce you feel when you drive. If you’re getting a constant bouncy effect after going over a speed bump, pothole or other obstacle, your shock absorbers may be worn down or broken.
This can cause a driver to lose control of their vehicle as the suspension bounces, making it a challenge to concentrate on the road. The bouncing also affects the car’s performance, making it far more difficult to maneuver the car safely.
To see if your suspension has an issue, go to the front of your vehicle and press down on the hood. When you release it, the car should bounce between one and three times and then rest. If it bounces more than that, your suspension is not functioning safely.
Leaky, worn shocks
If your vehicle’s shock absorbers are leaking oily fluid, you may have a serious problem on your hands. This can indicate severe damage to your shocks requiring car suspension repair, or external damage that can become a larger issue later.
If your car is tilting forward, backward, to the side, or down on one tire, you may have a suspension issue. An uneven drive is dangerous in itself, and it can easily damage the underside of your vehicle.
Leaky shocks are only a part of the equation for damaged car suspension (bouncy shock absorbers and major steering issues may seem more immediate) but any issues with your vehicle should be closely examined. Ignoring suspension issues will only endanger yourself and others as you drive.
Leave a Reply