How are suspension system issues diagnosed?
Suspension components are typically diagnosed by listening for noises, feeling vibration, or noticing instability, noting when these conditions occur, and then using this information for a guided search for the culprit. In general, suspension components fail by allowing excess movement, making noise at the bushings, or by bending or breaking. All of these are found by visually inspecting, making comparisons from side to side, manually moving parts, and placing pressure at strategic locations in order to measure movement. When parts are found to be bent, broken, leaking lubrication, cracking, deteriorating, or loose, they will be diagnosed as faulty in most cases.
How are Suspension System Inspections done?
Suspension component replacement in most cases requires the vehicle to be raised, the wheels removed, and specialty pullers and separator tools to remove damaged components. This can be physically demanding and dangerous work. Coil springs must be properly harnessed and relieved of tension, and care must be taken to prevent damage to adjoining components. Once suspension parts are replaced, an alignment check will typically be needed to ensure the new parts will not cause excessive tire wear.
RepairPal Recommendations for Suspension System Inspections
We recommend using only high quality or OEM suspension components. Many aftermarket components are made with economy in mind instead of longevity, and vehicles using poorly made components are likely candidates for additional repairs in the near future.
What to look out for when dealing with Suspension System issues
Repairing many portions of the suspension system will involve removing a coil spring assembly. This is not just dangerous, it can be deadly. Coil springs are preloaded with enough force to hold a vehicle, and releasing a spring improperly can cause damage to property, self or others.
Can I inspect the suspension system myself?
Suspension repair will often require specialty tools to separate components from one another, capture coil springs, and seat new parts. Also, using these tools assumes a degree of knowledge suitable to prevent damage and injury to the servicing technician. If proper procedures are not followed, the job is not understood, or the proper tooling is unavailable, the job should be trusted to a certified technician.
