Your car’s suspension does more than just smooth out bumps in the road. It keeps your tires in contact with the pavement, helps you steer safely, and prevents your vehicle from leaning or bouncing excessively. Whether you're cornering, braking, or cruising over rough pavement, your suspension is constantly working to maintain control.
While it includes many parts working together, some components are more critical than others. Here's a breakdown of the most important ones that play a direct role in your car's handling and stability.
1. Shocks and Struts
Shocks and struts are often the first things that come to mind when thinking about suspension. They’re responsible for dampening the bounce that happens after your car goes over a bump. Without them, the ride would feel uncontrolled and bouncy.
Shocks are typically used in rear suspensions, while struts are more common up front. Struts also serve as a structural part of the suspension, helping support the weight of the vehicle. Worn shocks or struts can cause the car to sway during turns, dip during braking, or bounce excessively after hitting a pothole.
2. Control Arms
Control arms connect the suspension to the vehicle’s frame and allow the wheels to move up and down while keeping them aligned with the rest of the car. They work together with bushings and ball joints to provide flexibility while maintaining control.
If a control arm is bent or the bushings are worn, you may hear clunking sounds or feel instability when driving. Replacing them helps restore precise handling and prevents uneven tire wear.
3. Ball Joints
These act as pivot points between the control arms and steering knuckles. They allow the suspension and wheels to move while you steer. Over time, ball joints can loosen or wear out, which often leads to popping or creaking sounds when turning.
A bad ball joint is a serious safety concern, as it can eventually separate and cause you to lose control of the vehicle. If steering feels loose or noisy, it’s worth having these checked.
4. Sway Bars (Stabilizer Bars)
Sway bars connect the left and right sides of your suspension to reduce body roll during turns. When you take a corner, they help keep the car flat by distributing weight more evenly. A broken or disconnected sway bar won’t necessarily stop your car from running, but it will definitely affect stability, especially during fast or sharp turns.
If your car leans excessively or makes knocking sounds over bumps, the sway bar links or bushings could be the problem.
5. Springs (Coil or Leaf)
Springs support the weight of the vehicle and help absorb shocks from the road. Most modern vehicles use coil springs, while heavier trucks may still use leaf springs. If a spring breaks or sags, it can lower your vehicle’s ride height and reduce its ability to absorb impacts, which makes handling feel unpredictable.
A sagging corner or uneven stance often indicates a spring issue that needs repair.
Why Suspension Maintenance Is So Important
Even one worn suspension component can affect the entire system. You might notice the car pulling to one side, feeling bouncy, or vibrating more than usual. These problems don’t just reduce comfort—they also affect braking, cornering, and overall vehicle safety.
Ignoring suspension issues can also lead to uneven tire wear and damage to other parts, like your steering system. That’s why it’s smart to have a suspension inspection if you hear clunks, notice changes in handling, or feel the ride quality getting worse.
Reliable Suspension Repairs at SWT Total Car Care in Sioux Falls, SD
If your vehicle feels unstable or you’ve noticed any changes in how it handles, the team at SWT Total Car Care is here to help. Our technicians will carefully inspect your suspension system and recommend any repairs needed to restore a smooth, safe ride.
Visit one of our two Sioux Falls locations to schedule an appointment and make sure your suspension is working exactly as it should.
