The suspension system under your vehicle plays a significant role in how the car drives and rides on the road. Worn or damaged suspension parts can cause many issues and often will have some symptoms that can alert you to the need for suspension work.

Handling Issues

A vehicle that wanders on the road or has a problem with under or oversteering may have some worn parts in the front suspension system. Suspension work is often required when the car or truck begins to show signs of worn ball joints, tie rods, or other parts that allow the car to wander in the lane or become hard to steer when you hit a bump in the road. 

If you hit a small bump and the car begins to shake or pull to one side, you should take the vehicle in for suspension work and have the system checked. The parts that cause these symptoms are critical components, and if they fail at speed, the car may lose the ability to steer completely, causing the vehicle to go off the road or collide with other traffic. 

The pulling and shaking are often related to a ball joint that is bad, allowing the vehicle wheel alignment to change depending on the position of the suspension and wheel at the time. Tire wear may also be visible on the edges, and the steering wheel may no longer be centered when driving. 

If the car or truck pulls to one side and you are fighting to keep it in the lane, take it in for service. Suspension work to correct this problem is vital, and the longer it is neglected, the worse the issue will get. 

Ride Quality

When you notice your car or truck riding rough or bouncing over bumps in the road, the issue could be related to springs or shocks in the suspension system. When your shock absorbers or structs wear, they will have less ability to control the rebound of the suspension system after hitting a bump in the road. The vehicle may feel like it floats over the bumps and bounces several times before settling back down.

Suspension work often includes replacing shocks and struts, and for most vehicles, the work is not overly difficult but may take some time. Many new vehicles incorporate the struts on the car into the suspension and use them to retain the springs and replace the upper ball joints. When they are worn, they can cause ride issues but can also throw off the alignment, affecting not only the ride quality but the handling and tire wear of the vehicle. 

For more information about suspension work, contact a local professional.