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Broken shock absorber or spring on car: signs your suspension has gone bad
A car's shock absorbers and coil springs work together to ensure a smooth ride and maintain vehicle stability. The shock absorbers control the rebound of the springs, reducing bounce and keeping the tyres in contact with the road, while the coil springs support the vehicle's weight and absorb road impacts.
When these parts fail, you’ll usually see symptoms such as excessive bouncing, uneven tyre wear, poor handling, and a noisy suspension when driving over bumps. Find out more about the signs and solutions to these faults below.
How to tell if your suspension is broken
To tell if your suspension is broken, look for the following signs:
- Uneven tyre tread wear
- Car leaning to one side
- Increased roughness or bounciness when driving
- Clunking or squeaking noises when driving over bumps
- Difficulty steering or excessive body roll when turning or changing lanes
- Fluid leaks near the shocks or struts
- “Sagging” at the front or rear
How does a shock absorber get damaged?
A shock absorber can get damaged due to factors like everyday wear, rough driving conditions, impacts from potholes or road accidents, and contamination. Corrosion from water, dirt, or road salt can deteriorate the seals and shock components.
Overloading the vehicle or improper installation can also lead to damage. When shock absorbers wear out, they lose their ability to dampen vibrations, resulting in poor vehicle handling.
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Signs your shock absorbers need to be replaced
These are the most common symptoms indicating that the shock absorbers are failing:
Bad front shocks symptoms
- Nose diving when braking
- Excessive bouncing towards the front of car
- Steering wheel vibrations
- Uneven tyre wear on front axle
- Swaying or pulling to one side
- Fluid leaks
- Poor handling
Bad rear shock absorber symptoms
- A sagging suspension or rear-end squatting
- Excessive bouncing at the rear
- Unevenly worn tyres on rear axle
- Swaying or drifting at rear
- Poor handling and stability
- Fluid leaks around the shocks
What does a broken shock absorber sound like?
If you have a broken or worn shock absorber, you may hear a clunking, banging, or rattling sound, particularly when driving over bumps, potholes, or rough terrain. You might hear a thumping noise from the wheel well where the shock is located if the part is broken or loose. This is usually accompanied by increased vibrations and bouncing when driving on rough roads.
What happens if a strut breaks while driving?
If a strut breaks while driving, it can lead to loss of control, rough handling, and increased bouncing. The vehicle may pull to one side or become difficult to steer, particularly on bumpy roads. It can also result in further suspension or brake damage if left unchecked.
Driving with a broken strut is risky, so it's essential to get it repaired or replaced as soon as you can and to refrain from driving until then.
What causes car coil springs to break?
Coil springs usually fail as a result of everyday wear, ageing, corrosion, strong impacts or collisions, or manufacturing defects. Hitting potholes or curbs can eventually cause coil springs to snap, especially if they are already weakened.
Overloading the vehicle beyond its maximum capacity will also accelerate wear. In colder climates, the combination of freezing temperatures and road salts further contributes to the risk of coil spring failure.
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Can you drive with a broken coil spring?
While a broken spring may not pose an immediate risk, it can significantly impact the vehicle’s stability and control on rough roads, so it is recommended that you have a new car coil spring installed for safe driving. It may cause the car to sag or dip at the front or rear, as well as make steering less predictable.
In severe cases, the broken spring could damage other car suspension components or puncture a tyre, increasing the risk of an accident. It is therefore advised to get the car fixed before you continue driving.
What to do if the suspension or shock absorbers fail
If you notice or suspect that the suspension or shock absorbers have failed, you need to get the car inspected and repaired right away. Avoid driving further, as the vehicle's handling, braking, and stability will be seriously compromised. You can have the vehicle towed to a mechanic for inspection and repair to prevent further damage and ensure safe driving conditions.
Most shock absorbers will last around four to five years before they need to be replaced. However, this will largely depend on the driving conditions, your driving habits, and how well you maintain your suspension.
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