You’ve likely become pretty in tune with your vehicle over the course of your daily drives, which makes it easy to tell when something just isn’t quite right in your suspension system. Even if it doesn’t massively change the way the vehicle handles, noticing any unusual feeling when going over a bump or taking a corner can be worrying.
If you’re experiencing a bouncy or unstable suspension feel, it may be due to issues with the critical components in the suspension system that keep your vehicle safe and controllable. In this article, we’ll be going over what you need to know about the common causes of bouncy suspension, how they occur, and what this issue could mean for your vehicle.
Common Causes of Unstable Suspension
Although the suspension system is full of failure points that can disrupt the stability of your vehicle, there are a few common causes that you should keep an eye out for.
Old Shocks or Struts
In many cases of a bouncy suspension, it can be traced back to a few major components of the suspension system: the shocks and struts. These parts are designed to dampen the force of road impacts, absorbing much of the energy that would otherwise be transferred through the vehicle and causing an unstable feeling when hitting a bump/dip.
When the shocks and struts eventually wear out, it prevents them from absorbing the force of impacts against the road, causing you to feel every slight bump in the road through the chassis.
Worn Strut Mounts
Similar to failed struts, a faulty strut mount will allow irregular movement in the suspension, which can lead to the suspension acting unstable when faced with uneven road surfaces. This problem is often accompanied by a clunking sound as you drive over bumps or dips.
Old or Faulty Springs
When the springs of your suspension system wear down or experience damage, it may prevent them from absorbing the force of impacts against the road. This can cause the suspension to feel wobbly or unstable, especially when taking corners or driving over rough road surfaces.
Worn Ball Joints
Ball joints act as critical pivot points for the suspension system, allowing for the wheels to shift up and down over bumps while turning. This multi-directional movement is essential for keeping your suspension smooth.
However, when these rubber ball joints begin to degrade, it may allow the suspension to move more than expected. This extra play in the joint may lead to a bouncy or unstable feel in your suspension.
Suspension Services in Kent, WA
Bring your vehicle to Premier Automotive Services in Kent, WA for dependable suspension services. Our experienced technicians use advanced diagnostics and years of hands-on expertise to determine the exact problem, whether it’s a damaged control arm, worn shocks, or misaligned components. We never guess — we get it right the first time. Schedule with our friendly team today!