Suspension Damage: What To Look For

There are a number of areas on a vehicle that can be affected in the event of a collision, and it’s important that a proper inspection is given to each.

One area that can be somewhat difficult to visually detect problems in is the suspension. Typically, one of the first priorities after an accident is to restore the exterior body of the car. Once you or a technician look underneath the vehicle, you might find there is damage to the suspension as well.

Correctly diagnosing suspension problems will ensure you can get them properly repaired. Having an understanding of the suspension system can help when trying to determine if there are issues with your vehicle.

Keep reading to learn more about how a suspension system works and how problems are often detected.

Key Points:

- The importance of suspension inspection post-collision: After a vehicle collision, it's crucial to inspect not just the exterior but also under the vehicle for potential suspension damage, which might not be immediately visible. Proper diagnosis ensures effective repairs.

- Understanding the suspension system: The suspension system is vital for vehicle drivability, enhancing steering stability and handling by maintaining friction between the tires and the road. It comprises components like the chassis, springs, shocks and struts, which support the vehicle's weight and absorb road impacts.

- Front vs. rear suspension: Most modern vehicles feature front-wheel drive, making the front suspension crucial for steering and stabilization. Rear suspension, more complex in rear-wheel-drive cars, manages rear tire traction. Both setups include axles, shock absorbers, control arms, bearings and hub and steering knuckles.

- Causes and signs of suspension damage: Suspension damage can result from direct front-wheel damage, off-road incidents during a collision or damage to the vehicle's unibody. Symptoms include the car pulling to one side, increased bouncing, steering difficulties, uneven vehicle height and greasy shock absorbers.

- A collision technician's role in diagnosing suspension issues: Trained technicians conduct thorough inspections, including a walk-around, test drive and undercarriage examination to identify suspension damage. They use specialized equipment for accurate diagnosis and alignment, ensuring the vehicle's suspension is correctly restored.

Basics of the Suspension System

The suspension system plays a major role in the drivability of a vehicle and helps to maximize performance. It keeps you in control behind the wheel and ensures there is plenty of friction between the tires and the road surface.

A properly functioning suspension system improves steering stability and handling. Many components are a part of this system, including a chassis, springs, shocks and struts. These parts help support the weight of the car and absorb impacts from bumps or dips in the road.

Many vehicles have both front and rear suspensions, which can operate differently depending on whether a car utilizes front- or rear-wheel drive.

Front suspension

Many modern vehicles utilize front-wheel drive, which means the front suspension system is extra important. It helps with both steering and stabilizing, with the responsibility of propelling the car forward.

Rear suspension

Rear suspension systems operate differently for cars with rear-wheel drive capabilities. Rear suspension helps manage the traction of the rear tires against the ground. The rear suspension will typically have more parts than the front suspension if the car is running on rear-wheel drive.

The basic setup for both front and rear suspensions includes axles, shock absorbers, upper and lower control arms, bearings and hub and steering knuckles.

How To Tell if Front or Rear Suspension is Bad

Identifying a bad front suspension in your vehicle is crucial for maintaining safety and performance.

Key signs to watch for include unusual noises such as clunking or squeaking when driving over bumps, which can indicate worn-out or damaged components. Uneven tire wear is another red flag, often caused by poor alignment or faulty suspension parts. Additionally, if you experience poor handling, such as excessive bouncing, swaying or a general lack of control while driving, your front suspension may be compromised.

How to check the suspension on a car

Ensuring your car's suspension system is in top condition is essential for safety and performance. Here are some steps to help you check it effectively:

• Visual inspection: Look for any signs of damage or leaks in the suspension components, focusing on the shocks and struts.
• Bounce test: Push down firmly on the car's hood or trunk and observe the movement. The vehicle should return to its original position quickly if the shock absorbers are in good condition.
• Tire examination: Check for uneven tire wear, which can indicate alignment issues or failing suspension parts.

Regular maintenance and timely inspections will help keep your vehicle safe and performing at its best on the road.

What causes suspension damage?

Many things can cause suspension damage. Different parts can be affected in the event of an accident — and any broken parts can affect how smooth your ride is. Both front- and rear-end collisions can cause suspension problems.

In particular, accidents that result in the following issues typically correlate with suspension damage:

• Direct damage to a front wheel
• The car going off the road during the collision
• Damage to the unibody, front rail or cowl (the space between the hood and the windshield)

Signs of suspension damage

While you should get your car inspected by a collision repair technician after an accident, you might be able to determine if you have suspension issues if you notice the following:

• The car pulling to the side while driving
• Feeling an increase in bouncing or bumps on the road
• Difficulty steering
• The vehicle sitting lower on one side
• Overly greasy/oily shock absorbers
• The nose diving when braking

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, getting your car looked at right away is an important step to take!

What Does a Collision Technician Look For?

While you might be able to tell if your suspension system is not working properly, collision repair technicians are trained with the skills needed to help restore and reshape vehicles after an accident. If a technician suspects there is suspension damage on a vehicle, there are certain things they will look for.

The technician will first do a walk-around inspection of the vehicle, which consists of:

• Inspecting the tires to see if they are centered in the wheel wells
• Checking whether the tires are leaning out or in at the top
• Looking to see whether the vehicle sits level at all four corners (Does one corner sit lower than the others?)

After completing the inspection and a vehicle damage report, the technician will take the vehicle for a test drive, where he or she will be looking and listening for a number of things, including:

• The vehicle pulls to one side
• The steering wheel is level and centered while driving straight
• Unusual noises

After the test drive, the vehicle is put on a lift or alignment rack where the technician can inspect the underside and look for damaged suspension parts. They might find severe bends and deformation or slightly visible damage.

Sometimes a technician may need to mount the alignment equipment on the vehicle itself to help determine what side the suspension damage is on and whether it is in the front or rear. For example, when aligning the vehicle, the technician might not be able to adjust the dimensions on the left-front side back to factory specifications, which could be a clear sign of damaged suspension parts.

Learn How To Diagnose Suspension Problems at UTI

Accidents happen. When they do, collision repair technicians are there to help assess and fix damage to vehicles. If a hands-on career restoring vehicles sounds like a good fit for you, the Collision Repair & Refinish Technology (CCRT) program at Universal Technical Institute (UTI) can help prepare you to for a career in the industry.¹

During the program, students are trained in what to look for when inspecting suspension parts. They are taught how to do two- and four-wheel-drive vehicle alignments using state-of-the-industry equipment, and they get hands-on training replacing suspension parts. In the Vehicle Undercar and SRS course, students learn how to service alignment and suspension assemblies.

Want to take the next step toward pursuing a career in collision repair? In just 51 to 54 weeks, you can graduate with the skills you need to feel confident as an entry-level collision repair technician. Learn more about UTI’s CCRT program by requesting more information here.