How to Diagnose Common Suspension Problems

Some of the signs and symptoms of worn out or damaged car suspension include knocking noises while you drive, a bumpy feeling, poor handling and uneven tyre wear. Spotting the signs of suspension issues early enables you to act before it becomes a serious problem.

Damaged suspension can be dangerous, reducing braking efficiency, impacting handling and wearing out tyres faster than normal. Suspension issues are also likely to lead to an MOT failure, so our advice is to get any problem checked out and fixed as soon as possible.

How does car suspension work?

Your car's suspension system absorbs the lumps and bumps found in every road surface, and allows you to accelerate, brake and corner safely.

Most car suspension systems use springs and shock absorbers that soak up and smooth out the bumps and shocks from the road. The struts smooth out lumps in the road and provide stability and control for steering. Ball joints and bushes provide a barrier between metal components.

Suspension parts can and will wear out over time. The more you drive, you may notice that the ride is rougher than usual. A worn suspension system can affect your stopping distance by up to 20%, so it's really important to get any problems checked out as soon as possible.

Suspension problems can be subtle, but they will get worse over time. Here are some of the signs your suspension system may need some attention:

The overall stability of the car

If a spring in the system has sagged or broken, the vehicle is likely to be lower on one side than the other.

Park on a level surface and try the 'bounce test'. Rest all your weight on either the front or back of your car and pay close attention to how many times the car bounces before it stops. If it continues to bounce more than two or three times, there is likely a problem with your suspension system.

A bumpier ride

Does the ride feel bumpier than usual? This could be down to suspension problems. The components of your suspension system will eventually wear out. When this happens, the system will no longer absorb bumps and shakes as effectively as it did before.

When you drive over defects in the road, the springs in your suspension will compress and expand to absorb any vertical movement. The dampers, or shock absorbers, then get rid of any motion left in the spring, which stops the car from bouncing.

The fluid held in your shock absorbers can sometimes seep out, which will eventually cause suspension failure. If you can, have a look at the shock absorbers (located under the car, near the wheels). If they are damp, or appear covered in oil, there's a leak that needs fixing.

Check tyre tread depth for uneven wear

Your car’s tyres should wear evenly across the vehicle. Abnormal tyre tread wear can be a clear sign that something's not quite right with your car suspension.

If the inside or outside of your vehicle's tyres are more worn than the rest, this could be a result of a poorly functioning suspension system or incorrect wheel alignment. Either way, you’ll need an expert to diagnose and fix the issue before it gets worse.

Poor handling

Many things can affect your car's handling and make it difficult to control, such as incorrect wheel alignment or poor steering response. If your car’s suspension system starts to fail, you'll notice a drift or pull when turning corners, sometimes accompanied by a knocking sound. This could be the effect of a damaged anti-roll bar no longer keeping the car stable against the force of the turn. This is a serious safety issue, so never ignore it.

Worried about your car’s suspension? Book a free car suspension check

If you think there may be a problem with your suspension, or would simply like peace of mind from a professional, book a Free Suspension Check with Halfords Autocentres.

Our friendly ATA-trained technicians can service any make and model of car, and all suspension work carried out by us is guaranteed for 12,000 miles or 12 months, whichever is sooner.