Your suspension system is what keeps your car connected to the road, stabilizes the drive, and helps prevent rollover accidents. Problems with the suspension are common. However, that doesn't mean you should ignore them.
Keep reading to learn about 4 of the most common signs your car needs suspension repair.
1. The Car Pulls to One Side When Driving
While no road you drive on is going to be a completely level, flat surface, it’s easy to tell if your car is pulling or drifting to one side of the road. If you need to turn against the steering wheel to stay on the road, it could be a sign you need car suspension repair.
Drifting may be caused by uneven tire pressure as well. This is something you can check easily at home or in a safe location with a tire gauge. However, drift is a serious and potentially dangerous issue that you don’t want to delay getting checked.
If problems with the alignment are causing you to pull to one side, the steering could fail.
2. The Ride is Bumpy
No matter how old your vehicle is, you shouldn’t feel every little bump and hole in the ground. If driving over a small pothole feels like you’re speeding over a speed bump, your struts or shock absorbers are likely to blame. Struts and shock absorbers stabilize your ride and help you keep control when you're turning, stopping, accelerating, and driving over uneven roads.
Worn or damaged struts and shocks negatively impact your ability to break (especially in poor weather conditions), steering ability, and handling around turns.
3. It’s Difficult to Steer
Difficulty steering is one of the most common car problems when it comes to suspension issues. Troubleshooting some steering issues is fairly easy; low power steering fluid or a leaking fluid reservoir will impact drivability. Uneven tire pressure or loose bolts on the wheels may cause the steering wheel to shake.
A damaged suspension affects steering by causing drift, difficulty steering at low speeds, or noises when turning.
4. The Tire Tread is Uneven
Uneven tire tread may not seem like a big deal, but irregular wear could point to a bad suspension alignment. A proper alignment ensures the tires are in-line and all parts of the suspension are supposed to be. Three common types of misalignment are negative and positive camber, toe, and caster.
Camber refers to tilt. Positive camber means the top of the tires tilts inward; negative camber tires tilt outwards.
Toe alignment refers to the left-right positioning of tires. Toe-in tires point toward the front of the car; toe-out ties point in the opposite direction.
Caster measures the angle of the steering axis in regards to the vertical axis. Caster affects how much effort is needed to steer and center the vehicle.
All of these cause the tread to wear unevenly. Car suspension repair and alignment are crucial for a safe ride.
Don't Put Off Suspension Repair
Putting off repairing your suspension is dangerous and could lead to higher-cost fixes down the road. If you notice any of the following signs, pulling or drifting to one side, a bumpy drive, difficulty steering, and uneven tire tread, you should have a mechanic to inspect it.
Save yourself the time of searching for "suspension repair near me" and come to All Out Auto Repair. Our team has provided quality repairs in Lloydminster for years. Click here to book an appointment online.