Whether you drive with an air suspension or a coilover, all suspension systems wear down with time, causing an array of performance issues. However, knowing when your suspension needs to be repaired can help to prevent that. Knowing when your suspension needs to be fixed allows you to provide the automotive care it needs to avoid excessive damage. So to help preserve the life and performance of your vehicle, we’ve listed the top five signs that your suspension needs to be repaired.
Rough Performance
A vehicle’s suspension is responsible for absorbing the energy from bumps and dips when traveling. With time, each suspension part will wear down and no longer be able to cushion the energy. This causes a bumpier ride. A rough ride is a telltale sign of suspension trouble, but you won’t be able to diagnose the exact problem just by looking at your vehicle’s performance. So take your car to a trusted repair shop as soon as you start to notice more bumps so they can repair the issue in your suspension.
Bouncy Ride
You may notice your car bouncing more than usual when your suspension needs to be repaired. Excessive bouncing is caused by worn-out shocks. You’ll usually notice your car bouncing when driving over bumps or even tiny dips in the road. You can also perform a bounce test to see if your suspension needs to be repaired. All you have to do is lean down on the hood of your car a couple of times when it’s in park. If you see that it’s still moving after three or four bounces, get your suspension repaired.
Lowered Stance
The suspension works to maintain a vehicle’s ride height at all times. So if you notice your vehicle is sitting lower than usual, your suspension may be to blame. Usually, a vehicle will start to ride low when there’s a problem with the coil or air bag or compressor. Cars with coilover suspensions will experience this issue when the coils are no longer able to support the weight of the vehicle. Those with air suspensions will start to sag when there’s an issue with their air bag or air compressor.
Drifting and Pulling
When the shocks in your air suspension system begin to deteriorate, you’ll notice your car drifting and pulling more especially when turning because the shocks can’t keep the vehicle level or stable. Damaged and worn shocks can make your car more susceptible to rollovers. With that said, it’s critical to have your suspension repaired immediately if you find your car drifting and pulling when turning to ensure your safety.