Driving a car with a bad suspension is not just a matter of comfort, it is a safety issue. If your suspension is worn or damaged, it can be more difficult to control your vehicle, putting you and other drivers at risk.

Suspension systems are nearly as varied as the vehicles they support, but there are some common issues you can look for or check to see if your suspension needs work, and how quickly you get it into the shop.

·       Rough ride. One of the first signs that your suspension is bad is feeling every bump in the road. Also, if your vehicle continues to bounce after hitting a large bump, driving over a speed bump

·       Driftin’ away. Another early sign you may have a bad suspension is whether your car drives in a straight line or if it pulls to one side or the other. If it drifts, it could be a sign that you need suspension work.

·       Tread wrongly. If your tires are wearing unevenly, chances are something is wrong. Look for signs that the tire is not hitting the pavement consistently, such as stripped-down sides or weird tread patterns. In severe cases, uneven wear will cause a regular, frequent ‘thump’ sound as you’re driving down the road.

·       Dipping. The front of all cars will dip slightly when you apply the brakes, depending on how much pressure you apply. Police traffic investigators can even determine how fast drivers were moving by measuring the dents in roadways caused by sudden, drastic deceleration. If your vehicle is lurching forward and downward with regular pressure, however, it’s a sign that you have a bad suspension and should get it fixed right away. It can cause long-term damage to the frame of your vehicle and it’s a safety issue, too—a bad suspension can increase your stopping time and distance by as much as 20 percent.

·       It fails the bounce test. You can test your vehicle’s suspension without getting it up on a jack or even driving it down the road. With it in park, press down on the front and rear ends (separately, of course) with all your weight a few times to move it up and down. If the car continues to bounce more than twice after you stop, your suspension will need some work soon.

·       Wheel noise. Listen for sounds when you’re driving, particularly down bumpy roads. If you detect rattles or thumps when you drive over bumps, your suspension may be worn out or damaged. Also, your steering wheel should be firm in your hands.  While at rest, turn your steering wheel all the way to the right and left. If you hear any clank, strain or thump, you may need to replace parts of your front suspension.

If your vehicle is showing any of these signs, no matter how minor, don’t ignore them. Driving with a bad suspension can further damage your vehicle and put you and other drivers at risk.