Your car’s suspension system includes the mechanism of tires, tire air, springs, shock absorbers and linkages that connect your vehicle to its wheels and allow motion to occur. Suspension problems can be tricky to diagnose, as although you might recognise the symptoms, finding out the root cause can be much harder.

It’s important to get suspension problems fixed quickly though, as faulty or worn out shocks, struts, springs, tie rods, or ball joints can make your vehicle unsafe to drive.

How much does it cost to fit shock absorbers?

If you’re looking to replace your shock absorbers, you should expect to pay between £250-£400 for most typical family sized vehicles.

Can suspension be repaired?

Yes. Like many other parts of your vehicle, your suspension will need to be repaired as time passes, and in some cases will need to be replaced. This can be due to a variety of factors, including daily wear and tear, environmental stress, or damage.

What happens if you don't fix your suspension?

If you have a damaged suspension and you don’t get it fixed, you could experience several serious problems. Your car could start drifting or pulling, due to a broken tie rod, spring, or control arm, your front end could dip when you brake, and your ability to steer your vehicle could be severely impaired. As well, a broken or damaged suspension can make your drive much bumpier and more uncomfortable, so it’s important to rectify this issue as soon as you can.

What are signs of suspension problems?

The most common signs you have car suspension issues are:

Your vehicle’s not driving smoothly. If you’re experiencing a bumpier ride than usual, it’s highly probable you’ve got problems with your car’s suspension.

Your car’s front end is dipping. Is your vehicle dipping forward whenever you brake? This could mean you have incorrectly fitted rear brakes but can also be a sign of a common suspension issue that means you need to replace weak or faulty shocks or struts.

Your car is drifting or pulling. Does your car feel like it’s constantly pulling or drifting to one side? The most common reason for this is low tire pressure, but it can mean something is wrong with your car’s suspension.

Your tire treads are uneven. Leaving wonky tracks behind? This can be a sign something is off with your vehicle’s suspension.

Your vehicle’s shocks or struts are excessively greasy. Noticed your struts looking overly oily? Are your shocks always drenched in slimy liquid? If so, your car could be leaking fluid, and this is caused by damaged or faulty shocks or struts, so it could be time to get them replaced.

Your car fails The Bounce Test. Push down on one corner of your car, then let go so the car bounces up then settles back down again to its normal height. If it bounces more than twice before settling, you probably need to replace your shocks.