The suspension system in your car or truck is critical to the ride quality and handling of the vehicle. Broken or worn suspension parts can cause problems, and if neglected, the suspension system can cause the handling to become so concerning that the vehicle is unsafe to drive. 

Suspension Parts

Suspension system parts are often thought of as the springs and shock absorbers on your vehicle, but that is not quite true. Tires, ball joints, shocks, struts, springs, and sometimes tie rods are all considered parts of the suspension. As such, they all contribute to the way the car handles and rides. 

The suspension system helps to control the car's movement on the road, dampening bumps and changes in the road surface and limiting the travel of the wheels, stabilizing the movement side to side. A worn suspension will become sloppy, and the bumps will start to feel harder. In fact, the car may start to wander about. It's important you take it to a suspension repair shop and have the worn parts replaced.

Struts and Shocks

Worn or broken shock absorbers and struts can be loud and cause movement in the suspension. When you hit a bump in the road, you may notice that the car bounces more than it used to or makes rattling and banging sounds.  

It is common for the rubber bushings used to isolate the shock or strut from the chassis to wear out and allow movement that makes loud clucks or bangs. The suspension repair shop can replace the bushings if the shocks or structs are still in good shape, but it is vital to have the shop inspect them before you decide to replace just the bushings.

If the shocks and structs are salvageable, the suspension repair shop may recommend urethane bushings to replace their increased durability. However, they can make the suspension system stiffer and cause some vibrations that you didn't notice with the rubber bushings. 

Worn Or Broken Springs 

The springs in your suspension system support the vehicle's weight, so if a spring breaks or is excessively worn, you may notice the car sagging to one side or in the rear. When a spring breaks, it will make a loud popping noise that you will hear, but it can break when the car is parked. 

If you see the car sagging on one side, it is essential to take it to a suspension repair shop so they can check the springs. It is often better to have the vehicle towed to the shop because it is unsafe to drive a car with a broken spring, even if it is a short distance away. Contact a suspension repair service for more information.