We here at Midlane Truck & Trailer work on anything from a semi to an RV. The suspension is responsible for maintaining the handling of your truck, RV, or trailer as well as keeping you comfortable on those long tips. That’s a lot of responsibility. Here are signs that your suspension is going bad, so you can have the problem addressed sooner rather than later. The longer you wait to fix the suspension the more damaged it gets.
Bumpy Ride
Your ride should be smooth and comfortable. If it isn’t, you may have a problem with the shocks and struts. It’s possible they have worn past their lifespan and need to be replaced. Feeling every bump in the road is a definite sign of this.
Low-Sitting Corner
You’re leaving the rest stop and heading to your rig. It’s sitting low on one corner. You check the tire and it isn’t flat. What could be the problem? You’ve likely broken a suspension spring – also called a leaf spring – and it needs to be replaced before you continue your route.
Momentum Motion
When mechanics talk about vehicle suspension, we talk about diving, squatting, and tipping. These terms represent the momentum motion your truck, rv or trailer makes when you stop, start, and turn. If the momentum motion isn’t being controlled, the shocks and struts are bad.
Oily Shocks
One way to check the shocks is to touch them. Crawl up underneath your truck, RV or trailer and touch the shocks. If you feel oil, they are worn and need to be replaced. You can also use a flashlight to visually inspect them to see if they look slick from leaking oil.
Side-Pulling
If you’ve ever knocked your rig out of alignment, you know what it’s like to fight to keep it heading straight. Pulling is definitely a sign of suspension problems; wheel alignment to be exact. Your wheels need to be realigned.
Steering Difficulty
Finally, if your steering has become a problem, you’ve got a suspension problem. Your steering might be too loose or too tight, it might groan when you turn the steering wheel, the wheel may give, or you may hear a clicking sound. All of these things indicate an issue with your truck, RV, or trailer’s steering system.
Whether you drive a rig, heavy-duty truck, or RV, Midlane Truck & Trailer Repair in Eugene, OR, can take care of your suspension for you. Call us today to schedule an appointment for a full inspection of the suspension and undercarriage. We will identify any problems we find and tell you what it will take to fix them.