5 Symptoms of Worn Out Suspension Parts

The whole purpose of your vehicle’s suspension system is to make your trip down the road more comfortable. It does this by absorbing and minimizing friction between the road’s surface and your vehicle’s tires, which reduces internal movement and ensures passenger comfort, all while providing steering stability and making for a safer ride.

While vehicles have virtually always included a suspension system, they’ve changed drastically over the years. Once upon a time, they were made from wood and metal. Today, vehicles have advanced suspension systems that make a ride along even the roughest road feel butter-smooth.

Despite their advancement, though, vehicle suspension systems are comprised of wear parts that need to be replaced eventually. Things like springs, shock absorbers, struts, ball joints, inner and outer tie rod ends, sway bar end links and control arms do wear out over time and must be replaced.

Here’s what you need to know about your vehicle’s front end suspension parts, the problems associated with them, and how to tell a piece has worn out.

5 Symptoms of Worn Out Suspension Parts

Suspension parts wear out for a multitude of reasons. Here are a few of the most common:

a) Poor Wheel Alignment. 

Poorly aligned tires knock your suspension out of place by putting undue pressure on springs, control arms, and similar alignment pieces. While it’s impossible to avoid poor wheel alignment altogether (things like potholes, curbs, and rough roads will create misalignments), you can get ahead of it by visiting your local mechanic or tire center for a regular realignment.

b) Worn-out Shock Absorbers. 

Shock absorbers act as dampers. When they wear out, the car will bounce more as it goes down the road, and may experience more shaking and vibration. This is because the shock absorbers can no longer keep the tires on the pavement. Fortunately, this is a simple fix – replace your shock absorbers and or have their fluids refilled.

c) Tired Struts. 

Your vehicle’s suspension system has either struts or shock absorbers. If it has struts, you may notice a knocking sound when you navigate bumps or similar obstacles. This is a sign of trouble and warrants a visit to your local mechanic right away.

d) Your Car Drifts or Pulls to One Side. 

If your car is pulling or drifting to one side as you round a corner, it’s time to take a look at your suspension system. It’s an indication of a number of concerns. We recommend you have this addressed immediately!

e) Listing to one Side or Another. 

If your car sits lower on one side or another while parked, take it to your auto mechanic’s shop for a once-over. This could indicate that some suspension components are wearing out, or that something in the suspension system is damaged or broken.

Article source: debrouxautomotive.com