How to Check Your Car's Suspension

How to Check and Maintain Your Car's Suspension

Your suspension system is important and more than just for comfort. It maintains grip on the road, aids in vehicle stability, and provides control during cornering, braking, or if the road surface is uneven.

At Berks Auto Repair, we feel it's important to educate our clients on the importance of car suspension systems, so they can identify the warning signs before they become problematic and costly repairs. If you're feeling the strain in your vehicle, here are the signs of bad shocks and steps to take to keep your ride safe.

Knowing Your Car Suspension System Is Essential

Your suspension system is made up of a number of interdependent pieces that absorb road shock and help you to handle your vehicle.

The main components include:

It's important to understand the difference between shocks and struts because though they do serve similar purposes, they are not interchangeable.

How To Find Out If Your Car Suspension System Is Shoddy

Knowing what to look for when suspension is poor can help avert a potentially hazardous situation. Be alert for the following symptoms:

Car Shaking While Driving

Could be due to worn suspension parts, tire issues, or wheel imbalance.

Car Clunking Over Bumps

May be caused by bad ball joint symptoms, bushings, or sway bar links.

Steering Wheel Vibration

Likely due to imbalance, damaged wheels, or steering and suspension wear.

Car Pulling to One Side

May be due to alignment problems, tire pressure differences, or damage to parts.

Uncomfortable Wear on the Tires

Can be caused by misalignment or damaged suspension components.

Suspension Squeaking Noise

Usually caused by worn bushings or moving joints.

Tire Wear Patterns to Look For

Your tires say a lot about your suspension. Run your hand over the tread and look for these patterns:

Pattern

Cupping or scalloped dips
Inner or outer edge wear
Feathered tread edges
Wear in the center
Wear on both edges

What It Often Means

Worn shocks or struts
Alignment or worn parts
Toe alignment is off
Too much air pressure
Too little air pressure

Noises and Leaks

Many suspension problems can be heard or seen before you feel them. Try these four checks:

Drive over speed bumps with the radio off.

Turn the wheel fully in an empty lot.

Look for oily film on shocks and struts.

Check your parking spot for fresh drips.

A shock or strut covered in oil has lost its seal and needs replacing. Note when any noise happens, since it helps your mechanic find the cause faster.

Maintain Car Suspension System: 5 Essential Steps

There's no need for complicated daily routines to keep your car in good suspension condition. There are several healthy routines to take to prevent this.

Inspect Tires Regularly

Inspect tires for pressure, wear, and abnormalities.

When tires wear unevenly, it could signal alignment or suspension problems that need servicing. Well-inflated tires also ensure that your suspension functions as it should.

Keep An Eye Out for Any Unusual Movements

A knocking noise in the suspension or a suspension knocking noise must not be neglected.

Pay specific attention to sounds as you turn, brake, or cross speed bumps. Timing when the noise is heard will help your mechanic pinpoint the cause.

Steer Clear Potholes and Hard Impacts.

Potholes, curbs, and rough roads can cause damage to springs, control arms, etc. when driven aggressively.

When you think you've suffered suspension damage after accident or after being hit hard by a pothole, schedule a check-up before driving away.

Check Wheel Alignment

Schedule Professional Inspections

Suspension maintenance schedule should be based on manufacturer's specifications and driving conditions.

Let the system be inspected as part of normal maintenance, particularly if you do a lot of driving on worn down roads or if you experience any changes in driving behavior.

When to See a Mechanic for a Suspension Repair?

Avoid waiting until the car is hard to handle.

If you are hearing noises from your car's suspension system, or if your steering is unstable or you are having a rough ride, Berks Auto Repair can help determine the cause. Schedule a suspension inspection reading PA with a professional and avoid costly repairs to your vehicle by having a professional service.

Common Suspension Problems and Causes

The common suspension problems are

Uneven tire wear suspension: If the tires are worn unevenly, a ball joint is likely to be worn.

Damaged bushings: May lead to squeaking, suspension knocking noise, and/or inaccurate handling.

Blown shock absorbers: May decrease damping and cause bouncing.

Uneven ride height and unstable handling can be caused by broken coil springs.

Rattling and clunking over bumps: It is a common symptom of worn sway bar links.

The symptoms can be confused, so a professional diagnosis is crucial prior to part replacement.

What is Shocks vs Struts and When to Replace Them?

A shock absorber only controls bounce. A strut does that job too, but it also holds up the car's weight as part of the suspension, so replacing one usually means an alignment afterward.

The two most frequently asked questions by drivers are: How long do shocks last? How long do struts last?

Many shocks and struts last around 50,000 to 100,000 miles, but this can vary significantly depending upon road conditions, vehicle design, and driving practices. Signs of bad struts include bouncing, handling issues, fluid leaks, and abnormal noises. Replacement should be based on the components' condition and on inspection, not solely on mileage.

Price and Professional Service Alternatives

If you're looking to find suspension repair near me or a suspension shop near me, you should look for the right diagnostics and quality replacement parts.

Customers at Berks Auto Repair can get suspension repair services in Reading, PA, and inspect shocks, struts, control arms, and steering systems.

A professional diagnosis will determine if replacement of components, alignment, or further repairs are needed.

Why Is It Important to Maintain the Suspension System?

Regular suspension system maintenance adds to:

A bigger share of potentially dangerous component failures detected earlier.

Your car suspension system is important for more than just the comfort of your vehicle. It facilitates easy handling and better driving.

Final Thoughts

The first step in car suspension maintenance is to understand the signs and symptoms of issues, such as unusual noises. Minimal changes in the way people handle things are a sign of potential issues that should be addressed.

At Berks Auto Repair, we assist Reading, PA, vehicle owners with their vehicle knowledge and discuss issues with suspension before they get serious. Plan your suspension inspection and be prepared for the road ahead. If your checks turn up a problem, our steering and transmission service can take it from there.

If your checks turn up a problem, our steering and transmission service can take it from there.

How to Check and Maintain Your Car’s Suspension