Taking care of your vehicle’s suspension is as important as taking care of the rest of the automobile. DOC Auto can help you make sure your suspension is always healthy and operating as it should be. We are going to list below the common problems that are associated with a suspension that is going bad. If you are experiencing any of these issues, bring your vehicle to our shop right away.
Noticing All the Road Bumps
If you notice every bump in the road that you drive over, the struts and shocks need to be replaced. These are these suspension parts that are designed to prevent you from feeling the road bumps inside your automobile. If they are worn, they will not be able to hold your vehicle’s body steady when you drive over bumps, especially speed bumps or large bumps.
Noticing the Vehicle’s Momentum
In fact, you will also notice your vehicle’s momentum motion when the struts and shocks are worn. When they need to be replaced, your vehicle’s body will respond to its momentum. In other words, it will lean to the side when you make turns, move forward when you stop, and move backward when you press down on the accelerator to pick up speed.
Oil on the Shock Absorbers
Another sign that the shocks need to be replaced is oil on the shock absorbers. This oil is the internal fluid found in the shocks. When the shocks get too old, they start to leak this fluid. Unfortunately, if you touch them, they will feel greasy and oily.
Problems Trying to Steer
You may also have difficulty steering your automobile if the suspension is bad. This could be due to a problem with the steering system or another part of the suspension, such as the axle. For example, a broken axle will prevent you from steering your automobile.
Pulling/Veering to the Side
Your automobile’s suspension may need a simple wheel alignment if it is pulling or veering to the side when you are trying to steer straight. This is a sign that the wheels have been knocked out of alignment. This is easy to do on road hazards.
Sitting Low on One Wheel
Finally, if you have heard a loud clunk when you drove over a bump, it’s possible that you have broken a suspension spring. One way to tell is to look at your automobile when it is parked on level ground. If one corner is sitting low on one wheel, the spring is broken.
Call DOC Auto in Fredericksburg, VA, today to schedule a suspension service or repair for your automobile.