Is Suspension Damage After a Collision Possible?

Car accidents are always unfortunate events. Most drivers and passengers are concerned about their physical safety, as well as the damage incurred by their car such as external dents, cracks or other more serious damage. However, you should extend your concern to the internal components of your car, especially your car’s suspension.

After a minor hit to the bumper, most drivers won’t be concerned about suspension or steering issues. But even the smallest accidents can cause significant problems to your car’s suspension and stability as they can throw your car out of alignment.

Car Suspension Trouble

It’s definitely possible for suspension damage to occur after a collision, whether it’s a front or rear-end one. You should observe your car even after a minor collision because the good function of your car suspension isn’t something you can leave to chance.

Your car suspension works to maximize the friction between your car’s tires and the surface of the road. Basically, it provides steering stability with good handling, and it also ensures the comfort of passengers. Without your car suspension working properly, drivability would be hard and your passengers would feel every bump in the road.

Signs of Car Suspension Damage

You can tell that suspension damage has occurred after a collision if you look for the following signs:

• Irregular noises such as clunks, squeaks or groans. Clunking, rattling or popping on rough roads might mean damage to one of the components of your suspension. This is usually related to an increase in steering effort (which can be more evident in manually-driven cars).

• Lower ride height. Suspension damage affects tire wear, steering and handling. Weak springs can lead to a sagging chassis.

• Worn shocks or struts. With these integral suspension components damaged, your passengers would be feeling a bouncy ride, body sway or rocking and suspension bottoming on rough roads or when backing out. You should also check for fluid leaking from a strut or shock.

• Inefficient tire performance. You would notice that your tires will be used up much quicker, and that your tires would pull to one side even after alignment.

Repairing Car Suspension Damage

Car models have different suspension system designs. It’s best to have a professional look into your car suspension system. Make sure that your shocks and struts are replaced in pairs.

You should have your car thoroughly checked after a collision, even a minor one. For better performance, consult an auto body repair shop as soon as possible.

Written by Marc Laferierre, owner of Dents Unlimited. Dents Unlimited offers the best auto body repair Columbia MO has to offer.