5 Signs Of A Failing Suspension System

Automotive Blog

Your car's suspension system is responsible for dampening excessive forces or movements that may make the car bounce or sway too much while moving. You probably know that it is uncomfortable to ride in a car with a damaged suspension because you will feel every bump and pothole in the road. However, there are other signs that show a failing suspension:

Drifting

When your suspension is failing, it may not stabilize the car while turning. This is dangerous because the centrifugal force, (force that pulls a rotating body away from the center of rotation), may be too much for the suspension to handle. As a result, the car will tend to pull to one side or drift when cornering. This is a dangerous situation because the car can easily roll over, especially if you are turning at a high speed.

Oily Shocks or Struts

For this, you have to get down on your knees and peer under the vehicle. Your shocks should be tight and relatively clean if they are properly working. Thus, you should suspect that something is wrong if they are too greasy or oily. The shocks main function is to dampen excess forces or movements on the car, and they can't do this effectively if they are leaking fluid.

Nose Diving

How does your car's body react when you brake sharply? Does it nose-dive as it lurches forward? If this description fits your car, it means you are driving with weakened shocks. This is another dangerous condition for your car to be in. It increases the likelihood of a crash because it increases your stop time/distance (after applying the brakes) by up to 20%.

Uneven Tire Wear

A good suspension system holds up the car evenly. When the suspension is damaged, it fails to do this and exerts uneven amounts of pressure on your car's tires. The result is uneven wear of tire tread. Note that this problem can be caused by many other things (including misalignment) so you shouldn't base your judgment on it alone.

Bouncing

With a solid suspension, the car should bump up and down a couple of times and return to its normal position after hitting a pothole or bump. If the suspension is damaged, however, then it will bounce up and down many times before settling.

Note that damage to the suspension system rarely happens overnight. The changes are gradual, and you may not notice all of the above symptoms. For this reason, take your car to the mechanic for a check-up if you notice any of the signs so that you can correct the damage before it becomes too serious.

To learn more, contact a company like Gitt's Spring Company with any questions or concerns you have.

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