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Suspension Components:

• Including springs
• Shock absorbers (struts)
• Anti-roll bars
• Control arms

Potholes, railroad tracks, rain, snow, road salt, gravel, debris, & dirt cause the deterioration and breakdown of these parts. Suspension Mechanics>>

How can I tell if my suspension is damaged?

Symptoms and noises can include:

• Poor wheel alignment– Wheels are aligned together and have aligned toe-in, camber and caster angles. When they are out of alignment, the steering will not be centered. Just driving in a straight line, you will notice the vehicle drifts one way or the other. When you get new tires, the best practice is to get a wheel alignment, so tires wear evenly. At the same time, if the alignment issue is the cause of a damaged spring, control arm or other parts that affect alignment, you’ll need a mechanic to diagnose and fix these issues as well in order to reset the alignment
• Shock absorbers - Worn out absorbers lead to increased bounciness after a bump and increased shake over rough roads. Shocks contain fluid that dampens bounce, bump, jolt, and other erratic movements. Once they start to leak, performance deteriorates.
• Springs – Springs hold the weight of the car. Worn springs sag and break. The easiest way to identify a worn spring is on level ground. If your car is on level ground but one corner is lower than the others are, it is possible your vehicle has a damaged spring. Measure the height of the corners. Cars can feel squirmy around corners or make clunking noises over bumps when its springs are worn.
• Ball joints - These components attach the suspension to the wheels, and they absorb shock from up-down movement and rotate as the steering angle changes. When they need replacement, they will squeak and creak. A mechanic can identify needed replacement by the amount of wheel movement they can manually produce by hand or, in some cases, by wear indicators on the ball joints.
• Control arms –Control arms are hinges that hold the wheels to the frame and connect the steering to the wheels. Bushings are rubber and/or metal parts that help absorb shock. Worn out bushings lead to ride and handling problems and accelerate tire wear. Signs include clunks or rattles. Wichita Garage>>