Your BMW is a sleek and uniquely-designed vehicle, and suspension issues are the last thing you want to be dealing with while driving your beloved car. Let’s discuss your BMW’s suspension system, signs of suspension problems, causes of suspension problems, and how to know it’s time to repair your suspension system.
What does the suspension system do?
Your BMW’s suspension system consists of springs and shock absorbers that cushion your vehicle from the uneven motion of the four wheels in contact with the road. Without a properly working suspension system, your car will drive rough and is susceptible to serious damage without the cushion and support the suspension system provides.
Warning Signs of Suspension Problems
If you experience any of the below warning signs, you should schedule an appointment with your trusted BMW service and repair shop as soon as possible:
- Veering Left or Right: If you’re struggling to drive a straight path and feel your vehicle pulling to the left or right, there’s a likely chance you’re dealing with a suspension issue. Poor alignment of your vehicle’s wheels will lead to the tugging you’re feeling from your car. Uneven tire wear is further proof of misalignment.
- Rough Ride: If your BMW is riding rough, there is a chance you’re dealing with faulty suspension. Your vehicle’s shocks, struts, or bushing can fail, causing you to experience a rough and unpleasant driving experience. A great way to test if your suspension has an issue is to put all the weight at the front of your car and release. If your car bounces several times, you probably have a suspension problem.
- Noisy Suspension: Unusual, noisy sounds coming from the underside of your car are cause for concern with your suspension. When your suspension is working properly, it doesn’t make a sound. Screeching and clunking is a sign something is wrong.
- A Corner Sitting Low: If one corner of your BMW is sitting low when your car is parked on even ground, it’s possible one of your suspension springs is damaged and needs repaired or replaced. The suspension will struggle to support your vehicle’s weight until this problem is resolved.
Causes of Suspension Problems
Some common causes of suspension problems include the following:
- Poor Wheel Alignment: Hitting potholes or curbs with your vehicle can throw off your wheel alignment. Always get your suspension checked when you buy new tires. Your trusted mechanic may come across damaged springs, control arms, or other parts affecting the alignment. Uneven tire wear is a good indication you’re dealing with poor wheel alignment.
- Worn Shock Absorbers: You will experience a rough ride with your vehicle when the shock absorbers are wearing out. Bumps will be harder and your car will shake as the result of not being able to keep the tires on the pavement. Shocks contain fluid that help prevent the bouncing, and should the fluid start to leak, the suspension system will malfunction.
- Struts: A knocking sound when going over bumps is a good sign there is something amiss with your vehicle’s struts.
- Springs: A broken spring is what causes your vehicle to lean down in one corner. You may also subsequently hear clunking noises over bumps. Broken springs either need to be repaired or replaced.
- Worn Ball Joints: Ball joints attach the suspension to the wheels. These joints also absorb some of the shock when driving on rough roads. If you turn and hear squeaking and/or creaking, your ball joints may need replacement. If this problem gets to a point where a ball joint breaks, you could find part of your BMW’s suspension dragging underneath your vehicle on the pavement. It’s best to have your car seen before it comes to this.
- Worn Control Arms: Clunking and rattling sounds could indicate a worn control arm. Control arms are the components which connect the wheels to the frame of your BMW. They also are part of the system that connects the steering column to the wheels. You may experience trouble steering your car with a bent control arm, which is extremely dangerous.
The Best Shop for BMW Suspension Repair in Cary
If you experience any of the above signs of 
suspension failure with your vehicle, it’s time to take it to your local BMW expert. At Manfred’s Import Auto, we can diagnose and repair your vehicle’s suspension system issues.
We’ve proudly served the Barrington, Crystal Lake, Fox River Grove, Lake Forest, Lake Zurich, and Cary, IL areas since 1986. Call today to schedule your appointment, and our trained and highly-skilled mechanics will have your BMW back on the road in no time.
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