3 Tips on when to repair your car’s suspension

May car owners often take their car’s suspension system for granted. (I.e. shocks or struts). However, after years of supporting several tons of metal year after year, eventually the shocks will wear out and suspension repair will become necessary. Some mistakenly believe the suspension is mainly about enjoying a smooth ride, and therefore these repairs aren’t as important as other maintenance issues like oil changes or brakes. Nonetheless, having a bad suspension can greatly affect your ability to control the vehicle, especially when stopping or turning, so it’s in your best interest not to ignore this aspect of car maintenance.

How do you know when it’s time for suspension repair? Your vehicle will usually tell you,here are hints to look out for

l Bumpy car rides: most car owners can tell their shocks or struts are wearing out when they begin to feel every bump in the road, or when every bump causes the vehicle body to bounce. A rough ride is an obvious sign that your vehicle’s suspension requires attention

l Drifting during turns: With a failing suspension system, you ‘ll often feel the vehicle drift or pull when you are turning. This means the shocks are no longer keeping the vehicle body stable against the centrifugal force of a turn, increasing your risk of a rollover. If you feel this sensation while turning, it’s time to take the car to a trusted auto repair shop for servicing

l Dips or ‘nose dives’ when stopping: Another sigh that your shock are worn out is that you’re likely to feel the car body lurching forward and downward nose-first when you apply the brakes firmly. This can actually affect your ability to stop the car quickly.