What are the signs of worn suspension?
Common signs include clunking or knocking over bumps, the car bouncing or floating after a dip, nose-diving under braking, leaning in corners, wandering or vague steering, and uneven tyre wear. Worn suspension and steering parts affect handling and braking and are checked in a Victorian roadworthy inspection.
Signs of suspension or steering wear
- Clunks or knocks over bumps or when turning
- The car keeps bouncing after a dip
- Steering feels loose, heavy or wanders on the road
- The steering wheel is off-centre when driving straight
- Uneven tyre wear
- Oil on the body of a shock absorber
What does the suspension system do?
Suspension keeps the tyres in firm contact with the road and controls how the body moves over bumps, under braking and in corners. Springs carry the weight; shock absorbers control movement; bushes and joints let parts move while keeping them located. When they wear, the car becomes less stable and tyres wear unevenly.
How do we check steering and suspension?
With the car on a hoist, we check for play in ball joints, tie-rod ends and wheel bearings, inspect bushes for cracking or movement, look for leaking shock absorbers and broken springs, and check steering racks and boots. A road test confirms noises and handling problems.
Why fix it early?
Worn steering and suspension parts affect braking stability and how the car responds in an emergency. They also cause uneven tyre wear, so delaying a repair often means buying tyres sooner.
Questions worth asking your mechanic
Whoever works on your car, these questions help you understand the job and the quote:
- Which components are worn, and how badly?
- Is it safe to drive until the repair?
- Will the car need a wheel alignment afterwards?
From our workshop
Recent jobs photographed at our Sunshine North workshop.
Frequently asked questions
Should shock absorbers be replaced in pairs?
Yes, they're normally replaced in pairs across an axle so the car handles evenly from side to side.
Is steering and suspension checked in a roadworthy?
Yes. Transport Victoria lists steering and suspension among the items checked in a roadworthy inspection.