Check that the suspension components do not sag due to wear. Perform a visual inspection for changes in the suspension when the vehicle is parked on a flat horizontal surface. Suspension failures usually only occur after high mileage and are more pronounced on the driver's side.
Engage gear and brake the vehicle with the parking brake. Grasp the steering wheel with both hands from above and turn it left and right. Listen for any extraneous sounds or metallic noises. Check steering wheel free play. If found, have an assistant rock the car until the source of the problem is located.
Check the shock absorbers, as they are more susceptible to wear than the rest of the suspension components. Typical signs that indicate a malfunction of the shock absorber are the following:
- prolonged rocking of the body when driving on uneven road surfaces;
- increase in body vibrations when driving on uneven road surfaces;
- uneven and unstable wheel movement (bouncing) when driving in a certain range of speeds, including cornering;
- deviation from the given trajectory of the vehicle during braking;
- unstable cornering and skidding of the car;
- increased tire wear, characterized by the erasing of the tread pattern;
- the appearance of clicks and extraneous noise when the car is moving. Clicks and light bumps can also be caused by other suspension problems, in particular, loose threaded connections, failure of hub bearings, or wear of the constant velocity joints of the wheel drive shafts.
If there are any signs of fluid leakage, the shock absorbers must be replaced. Replace shock absorbers in pairs on the same axle of the vehicle, unless the failure occurred on a new vehicle without sufficient mileage.