Driving over potholes, curbs, and speed bumps can put a lot of wear and tear on your car’s suspension system. When you start to notice that your car is getting difficult to control or that it’s constantly bouncing around on the road, it’s probably time to get your Car repairs hawthorn to get the suspension checked out before more serious damage occurs. Here are five signs your car may need suspension repair today.
1) Achieving proper alignment
When you have your car inspected for suspension problems, mechanics will perform a couple of tests to see if your wheels are properly aligned. First, they’ll check to see if all four tires are wearing evenly, which is usually a sign that something is out of whack. They’ll also bring one wheel off its suspension and measure how much it sags (or doesn’t sag) before they put it back on. Most drivers don’t notice their car’s alignment needs attention until there’s an actual problem—like a tire blowing out—but you can stay ahead of any potential issues by getting regular inspections.
2) Blisters on your tires
If you notice any blisters on your tires, it’s a sign that Car repairs hawthorn is necessary. Blisters can arise from driving too long on smooth roads or in dry weather conditions. Either way, these blisters might not be noticeable at first, but they become more severe over time, eventually becoming cracks and holes in your tires which are extremely dangerous to drive with. If you notice blisters on any of your car’s tires, bring it to an auto shop right away. You will likely need new tires, which is something you should do every three years or 30,000 miles anyway, to avoid hazardous situations like encountering a blowout mid-commute and risk hurting yourself or someone else because of it.
3) Worn ball joints
Over time, ball joints wear out. When that happens, they can no longer hold a car’s wheels in place. If your car makes a creaking sound when turning or braking, that may be a sign of worn ball joints. It’s best to have these checked out by an auto repair specialist right away—the longer you wait, the more likely it is that you’ll need an expensive suspension system replacement. Ball joints usually cost around $200-$400, depending on how much of them are worn down.
4) Clunking while braking
Suppose you feel a grinding or clunking in your car while braking; it could be a sign that something is wrong with your suspension. Many cars have shocks and struts to control ride height, shock absorption and more. If they’re old or not working properly, they can make noise while braking or going over bumps. (This doesn’t mean you should ignore noises that come from other parts of your car!)
5) Skipping over bumps
Small bumps and potholes are common on city streets, but if you’re feeling each one in your car’s suspension, it could be a sign that your shocks or struts are going bad. This can cause serious safety issues on busy roads where even small bumps can mean an unexpected loss of control over your car. Luckily, most shocks and struts will last about 60,000 to 80,000 miles; after that point, they start to wear down. If you notice a change in how well your car handles bumps or potholes—or if something feels bouncy as you drive—make sure to get Car repairs hawthorn as soon as possible.