Whatever you use your car for, every journey puts its components under strain. Over time, this chips away at their efficiency, gradually wearing them down to the point of complete failure. Your suspension system, in particular, does a ton of work to ensure you drive comfortably by compensating for bumps in the road. It also provides traction by helping your wheels maintain contact with the ground.

Needless to say, the suspension system is an incredibly important part of your vehicle, and it should be working properly at all times. So, how can you recognize potential problems before they get worse? Let’s look at some common suspension system issues and how you can diagnose them, plus tips for repairing them if you’d like to try.

What Are the Components of a Car’s Suspension System?

Your vehicle’s suspension system is made up of an intricate network of components. Here’s a quick overview of the core ones:

• Springs: The link between the wheels and the car’s body, suspension springs compensate for uneven road surfaces to provide high levels of ride comfort.
• Shock absorbers/struts: Shock absorbers and struts work together to control the movement of the springs and maintain tire contact with the road.
• Control arms: Control arms connect the wheels to the chassis, maintaining stability, handling, and safety by ensuring wheel motion is controlled.
• Bushings: These small rubber or polyurethane parts are fitted between suspension components to reduce friction and absorb minor shocks.
• Ball joints: Located in your front suspension, ball joints allow the wheels to pivot smoothly.
• Sway bars/stabilizer bars: The sway bar/stabilizer bar connects the left and right wheels through a torsion spring, keeping the vehicle more level and stable, thus improving handling and ride comfort.

Common Suspension Issues

There are various common suspension system issues you might encounter while out on the road, including:

1. Your vehicle pulls to one side.

If your vehicle pulls to one side while you’re driving, it could be a problem with your tires, brakes, or suspension system. Where your suspension system is concerned, if one of its components is damaged or malfunctioning (e.g., the struts, bearings, joints, or springs), it can affect your vehicle’s wheel alignment and cause this to happen. You may also see some uneven tire wear if the problem has been ongoing for a while.

2. Bouncing excessively on bumps and dips.

Your suspension system is designed to absorb the impact of potholes and bumps in the road so that you experience a smooth ride while you drive. So, if your vehicle starts to bounce excessively or it’s a bumpy ride, there’s probably a fault. Damaged struts or coil springs are the most likely culprits because if they are worn out and can’t dampen those impacts as intended, your car could start to feel like a trampoline.

3. One side or corner of your vehicle feels lower.

Your suspension ensures a smooth driving experience and helps support your vehicle. Damaged suspension components, such as a blown-out shock or weak springs, can cause the car to sink at one corner or even a whole side. The sinkage may be so severe that you can see it just by looking at the vehicle.

4. Dipping when braking.

When you hit the brakes, the forward momentum combined with your vehicle’s weight sends a lot of force to its front. If your suspension isn’t working, however, it won’t be able to compensate for this, so the front end will be pushed downward in a nose dive. You might also feel a rocking motion once you’ve come to a complete stop as the weight begins to balance out.

5. Steering becomes difficult.

Your steering wheel and suspension systems are directly tied to one another, so if something goes wrong with your suspension, you’ll most likely feel it in your steering. For example, the steering system might be more difficult to use, or you may feel your vehicle pulling to one side.

6. Your vehicle rolls to the side when cornering.

Just like your vehicle might dip when you brake, it could also roll to the side when you corner. This works in a similar way, as the sudden turn shifts the weight of your car, making it feel like it’s rolling in that direction.

4 Ways to Diagnose Suspension Problems

If you suspect you may be experiencing a problem with your suspension, there are a few ways you can attempt to diagnose it yourself:

1. A visual inspection: Start with what you can see. Give everything a look over, and check for signs of damage, leaks, or wear on suspension parts.
2. The bounce test: One by one, push down on each of the vehicle’s corners and let go. If there’s excessive bouncing as it returns to position, you have a problem.
3. The road test: Take the vehicle out for a drive. Are there any issues with handling when you steer? Can you hear any unusual grinding or creaking noises? If something seems off, it could be your suspension.
4. A tire inspection: Suspension problems often cause uneven wear on your tires. Check the tread for anything unusual.

Suspension Repair and Maintenance

Repairing the suspension system generally isn’t the most involved task, so there are some things you can try yourself if you’d like to avoid visiting an auto shop:

Shock Absorber and Strut Replacement

To replace the shocks and struts, first loosen the rear wheel bolts. Next, engage the parking brake, chock the front wheels, jack the car’s rear, and support it on axle stands. Remove the wheel, then remove the top and bottom shock absorber mounting bolts. Remove the shock absorber, fit the new one, and replace the bolts with the required torque rating.

Spring Replacement

Firstly, make sure the replacement spring is of the correct rating. It’s always best to replace both (front or back) springs at the same time so that they have matching ratings. Similar to repairing your shock absorbers, safely raise the vehicle and remove the wheel. Next, remove the assembly and take the strut assembly out of the cover. Take off the old spring and put on the new one, then reassemble everything.

Control Arm and Bushing Replacement

This job is usually best left to a certified mechanic, as it can be time-consuming and could damage your suspension system if not carried out properly. It also requires specific tools that you’re not likely to have in your home garage. You will need to remove the control arm, remove the old bushing, and replace it with a new one, but all of that is much easier with a hydraulic press to hand.

Ball Joint Replacement

Ball joints can be very tricky to access and install, especially with age and rust. Again, it’s a job best left to a professional, but for a quick overview of the process, it starts with taking off the wheel and then removing the brake calipers, rotor, and potentially the sway bar links, too. Next, carefully inspect and remove any snap rings that may be keeping the ball joint in place, then use a ball joint press to remove the old joint from the control arm and put a new one in.

Sway Bar Link Replacement

After safely raising the vehicle, remove the wheel and use the new sway bar link to help you identify the old one. Spray the fasteners at both ends of the link with penetrating fluid and leave them to sit for five minutes. Clamp a pair of vice grips onto the link or on the ball and socket to stop it from spinning, then use a ratchet to begin loosening the nut on one end. Repeat the process on the other end and take the link off. Now you’re free to replace it with a new one, but make sure to test it’s tight enough before you drive again.

Extended Warranties: Protecting Your Suspension System

The annual cost of car ownership is only ever on the rise, recently reaching over $12,000, according to AAA. With your suspension system under heavy strain whenever you’re out on the road, it’s one of the areas of your vehicle that’s most likely to experience unexpected component failure—and the price of repairs can be expensive. To protect themselves (and their wallets) from the financial burden, drivers across the U.S. are investing in an extended auto warranty. But which is right for you?

Your first option is a traditional extended warranty, which is usually purchased from your dealership or sometimes directly from your manufacturer. This effectively extends your vehicle’s factory warranty (a.k.a. manufacturer warranty) coverage beyond the expiry date, giving you the same peace of mind for longer.

While it sounds great on paper, there are some significant drawbacks to this kind of coverage. For example, the cost to purchase is usually so high it’s unlikely you’ll ever get your money’s worth. Any repairs can only be carried out at an authorized dealership, which isn’t ideal if you break down hundreds of miles from one. Worst of all, you’ll need an active factory warranty to qualify, ruling out used car owners almost completely.

As a result, a vehicle service contract from a third-party provider, like Endurance Warranty, is the more popular alternative. For starters, third-party providers offer almost as comprehensive coverage at an even better price point, usually throwing in some bonus perks to sweeten the deal. Repairs can be completed at any certified auto shop of your choice. Best of all, you can acquire this kind of coverage regardless of your factory warranty status. As long as you meet your chosen provider’s eligibility criteria, you’re good to go.

It’s worth pointing out that an extended warranty/vehicle service contract and auto insurance are two very different beasts. To be specific, an extended warranty/vehicle service contract is intended to protect you from repair bills incurred as a result of unexpected component failure. In contrast, auto insurance protects you from repair bills incurred as a result of a collision, extreme weather, or other such incident. Combining the two protects you from all angles, so it’s highly recommended that you invest in both if possible.

Choose Endurance for Total Driving Confidence

No matter how well you maintain your vehicle, no component lasts forever. When the inevitable breakdown occurs, you can almost guarantee it will happen at the worst possible moment, leaving you stranded far from home and facing an expensive repair bill. To drive with total confidence, you need an extended auto warranty watching out for you, and Endurance is America’s most trusted provider.

Endurance offers unrivaled eligibility, with a wide range of plans aimed at an even wider range of drivers. Whether you’re a casual commuter, a rideshare driver, a high-mileage car owner, or lucky enough to drive a luxury vehicle, we have you covered. You can also customize a plan to meet your individual needs and budget.

On top of the country’s best coverage, we also offer the best-added benefits. Every Endurance plan includes 24/7 roadside assistance (including towing, fuel delivery, and lockout services), rental car reimbursement, and trip interruption costs as standard. If that wasn’t enough, all new Endurance customers can access a year’s free of our Elite Benefits package, which includes tire coverage, key fob replacement, up to $500 in collision discounts, and up to $1,000 in total loss protection.*

Call an Endurance plan advisor at (800) 253-8203 to request a FREE quote, or shop online to see your price now. Or, if you’d like to do some more reading before you leave, head over to our extended warranty blog for other helpful articles on all things automotive.