Even the best built-to-last vehicles will undergo a great deal of wear and tear over time. As your suspension system is tasked to support your heavy vehicle going high speeds over imperfectly paved roads, it is no wonder that eventually it begins to wear out. While the most commonly known job for your vehicle’s suspension system is to allow for a smoother ride, there are other factors at risk besides your general comfort. It is important that your suspension system is maintained and repaired, just like you would expect to have other services scheduled like oil changes, tire rotation, and replacing brake pads. These are a few tell tale signs that your suspension system is going out and needs attention from a mechanic.
Your Car is not Driving as Smooth
A properly functioning suspension is one of those things that you can take for granted until you start experiencing a car ride without it. If you start to notice that you can feel more bumps in the road than normal, you probably won’t be able to ignore it for long. Like a pebble in your walking shoes, your failing suspension will feel like a nagging reminder that you have a problem that needs fixing. Your shock absorbers contain a fluid that helps keep your tires firmly on the road as you drive it, but if that fluid starts to leak, you will start to notice a bouncier car as you drive.
The Vehicle is Harder to Control
While there are a couple of different reasons that your vehicle is becoming harder to steer and handle, a failing suspension system is one of them. This is not a symptom that you want to mess around with as an easily maneuvered vehicle is crucial for road safety. If you start to feel your car drift or pull away from you as you turn, it is likely that the shocks in your suspension system are going bad. This increases your odds of a collision or roll over, so it should be addressed by a professional mechanic as soon as possible.
Your Car Nose Dives When Braking
If your car can’t seem to handle a normal amount of momentum (we’re not talking about when you come to a screeching halt in an emergency), then your shocks and/or struts probably need replacing. Just like you might experience a dip in your front end when you brake, you might notice a dip in your back end when accelerating. A properly working suspension system will not allow your vehicle to lean forward or backward, so if you start to experience this, you will want your mechanic to take a look. A failing suspension system can greatly affect your brake time and is the cause of many fender benders every year.
Keep in mind that wear and tear over time isn’t the only cause to a failing suspension system. If you happen to hit a curb, speed bump, or pot hole, then you might start to notice some of these symptoms. In fact, even a minor fender bender can be the catalyst for some of these issues, so don’t hesitate to take your vehicle in to your trusty mechanic so you can have peace of mind when you are on the road!
