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Your car’s suspension is crucial for keeping your ride smooth, stable, and safe. It ensures your tires stay firmly connected to the road, even when tackling bumps, turns, and uneven surfaces. When your suspension is working as it should, you barely notice it. But when something’s off, it can affect everything from handling to overall safety. Here are three practical ways to identify suspension issues so you know when to take action.
1. Listen to Your Vehicle
Your car often “talks” to you when there’s a problem—suspension issues are no exception. While driving, pay attention to unusual sounds or vibrations.
- Clunking or Bumping Sounds: If you hear clunks or feel bumps while driving over smooth roads, it might be due to worn shock or strut mounts, sway bar links, or bushings.
- Noises Over Bumps: A clicking or knocking sound when going over bumps could indicate an issue with the mounts, sway bar links, or ball joints.
- Groaning or Clicking When Steering: Turn the steering wheel left and right while stationary. Clicking may point to a tie rod end or bearing problem, while groaning could signal an issue with power steering or strut bearings.
If you notice these sounds, bring your vehicle in for an inspection. These noises often signal wear and tear in vital suspension components.
2. Perform a Bounce Test
Your car’s shocks and struts are key players in absorbing the impact of bumps and keeping your ride stable. If they’re worn, you’ll notice changes in how your car handles and reacts to uneven roads.
- On the Road: Does the car’s rear dip excessively when accelerating, or does the front end nosedive when braking hard? These are signs that your shocks or struts may need replacing. If your car bounces after hitting a bump, it’s another telltale sign of worn suspension components.
- Parked Bounce Test: With the car parked, press down firmly on one corner of the vehicle and then release. The car should bounce up once and settle back into place. If it keeps bouncing, it’s likely time for new shocks or struts.
This simple test can give you a quick insight into the health of your suspension system without requiring any special tools.
3. Try the Wiggle Test
The wiggle test is a hands-on way to check for looseness in your suspension, steering, and wheel components. You’ll need a jack and jack stand to lift the car safely for this test.
- Rear Wheels: With the car securely lifted, grab a rear wheel and wiggle it up, down, left, right, and diagonally. If you hear clunking or feel excessive movement, the suspension system may be loose or worn.
- Front Wheels: The front wheels are more complex, involving steering linkage, tie rod ends, ball joints, strut bearings, and wheel bearings. Here’s what to look for:
- Left-to-Right Movement: This could indicate a problem with the steering linkage, tie rod ends, or control arm bushings.
- Top-to-Bottom Movement: This may suggest an issue with ball joints, strut mounts, or control arm bushings.
- Both Directions (Left-Right and Top-Bottom): This could point to multiple problems or a failing wheel bearing.
This test can help pinpoint where suspension issues might lie, but further investigation by a professional mechanic is often the next step.
When in Doubt, Consult the Experts
These three simple methods can help you identify suspension problems early, but diagnosing the exact cause often requires specialized tools and expertise. That’s where McCullough NAPA Auto Care comes in. Our ASE-certified technicians provide thorough inspections and honest advice so you can make informed decisions about your vehicle’s care.
Don’t wait until minor suspension issues become major problems. Visit McCullough NAPA Auto Care today for a professional inspection. Let us help you keep your car running smoothly, safely, and comfortably. Schedule your appointment online, or give us a call to learn more!
