When your car isn’t driving the way it used to, there are a few culprits that might be to blame. For one, the link might be engine related, or even within the frame of the car. But on older cars, or one that sees a number of different terrains, the issue can be very different. Your suspension is surely there to help you enjoy a nice ride — but when that fails to operate as well as it used to, things can become less than pleasant. Here are a few ways to distinguish whether or not your suspension is the culprit of your worsening ride.
More Bounce
Most people know their car within two different extremes — firm and soft suspension. When this changes, it’s easy to feel and distinguish — which is why many people bring their cars into the shop. As your spring and shock compresses, it can wear down over time, making both types of suspensions looser and more prone to becoming bouncy. Absorbing less and less of the impact (or too much of it) can leave you feeling like your car just isn’t as solid as it once was.
Odd Noises
A worn-out suspension will also make noises that are harder to tune-out — and they’re pretty loud by themselves! When you go over a bump, if you can hear something that sounds like air escaping from a pressurized area, your suspension might be the cause. Additionally, squeaking and metal sounds can also account for these changes in your suspension, pointing to something worse happening.
Sagging Car
Suspension is also meant to hold your car up at a specific angle and height in order to promote safe driving during the day and night. If you’re noticing the car leaning to one way or another, it might be due to the suspension becoming too worn down for use. If this is something you’re experiencing, make sure you’re having it changes out as soon as possible to ensure nothing else becomes damaged.