Your vehicle’s suspension should be inspected for problems every 15,000 miles. You can also make certain the suspension is inspected when you have your wheels aligned. A healthy suspension makes controlling your car, truck, or utility vehicle much easier. HCS Auto Repair can repair the suspension if it needs it. Here are signs that it does.
Feeling a Bumpy Ride
Part of the suspension – the struts and shocks to be exact – help prevent you from feeling every bump in the road. If your vehicle’s ride has gotten bumpy suddenly, it’s probable that the struts and/or shocks need to be replaced. Generally, your vehicle’s ride should be comfortable. If it isn’t and you feel as if you are driving a bounce house, bring your vehicle to our shop for a suspension inspection.
Low-Sitting Corner
Always take a good look at your car, truck, or C/SUV when you are approaching it to make sure there isn’t one corner that is sitting lower than the other corners. If there is, you likely have a broken leaf or suspension spring on that wheel. Aside from sitting too low, you might also hear that wheel clunk when you drive over bumps. If you heard a loud clunk and then the corner sank, you heard the spring break.
Momentum Motion
Another sign of suspension problems is momentum motion while you are driving. It is important to keep your struts and shocks in good condition in order to prevent momentum motion. Momentum motion includes your vehicle’s body diving forward when you stop, leaning backward when you accelerate, and tilting sideways when you turn around corners.
Oil on the Shocks
When the shocks get too old, they will leak their internal fluid. You can tell that the shocks are leaking if you touch them and your fingers get greasy. This is a sign that it’s time to replace the shocks as they are unable to absorb the bumps in the road any longer.
Pulling to the Side
Another suspension problem that we can fix is wheels that are not aligned. When the wheels are not aligned, your vehicle will pull to the side instead of going straight. This can happen if you haven’t had the wheels aligned in two years or you’ve hit a curb or other road hazard.
Steering Difficulties
Finally, wheel alignment can make steering your automobile difficult as can problems with the steering system. The components that make up the steering system can wear out, such as the power steering pump, or you may end up with a power steering fluid leak.
HCS Auto Repair is the best auto service shop in Springdale, AR, so give us a call today if you would like to schedule a suspension inspection.
