Why Does My Suspension Bottom Out When Hitting a Pothole in Suffolk County?

Bottoming out on a pothole will feel like a harsh jolt, and you might also hear a thudding sound as your vehicle rolls over the damaged section of road.

• Continued Bouncing:  In a severely compromised suspension, the vehicle will continue to bounce a few times after hitting the pothole, rather than settling into a stable position.
• Nose Diving:  Even without hitting a pothole, you might notice that your car dips at the front when braking. This is a sign that you need a suspension repair to improve stability.
• Scraping and Banging Sounds: Although less common in modern car and truck designs, hitting a pothole might cause contact between the wheel and wheel well, or even the lower side of the vehicle with the road. You might hear scraping and banging noises.
• Sagging or Crooked Stance: When your vehicle is stationary, look at it from the front and rear. Does it appear to be leaning to one side, or dipping near one of the wheels in particular?  This can suggest a weak or broken suspension component.

In all these scenarios, the most likely causes are worn struts, shocks, springs, bump stops, mounts, or bushings. Sometimes several components might be worn or damaged at the same time. Whatever the underlying cause, a damaged or failing suspension limits how much impact your vehicle can handle and can cause you to lose control in an emergency.

Suffolk County roads are notorious for potholes, thanks to the constant freeze/thaw cycles and road salt in winter. Hitting a pothole at speed, especially on a major road like Route 25 or the Sunrise Highway, could put you, your passengers, and other road users in danger.

Have your car inspected for any necessary suspension services or repairs if it bottoms out on ordinary bumps or when you hit a hard pothole. In addition to the loss of safety, a failed or failing suspension component also increases the risk of severe structural damage.

Book an appointment for car suspension repair at Dee Pat’s Awsomotive if:

• Your car clunks and bangs when rolling over bumps.
• It pulls to one side,  or your steering wheel looks off-center  (use the logo to eyeball its level).
• You notice uneven wear on your tires.
• There’s fluid leaking around any of the wheels.
• The ride feels rougher or bouncier than normal, even on normal roads.

Waiting is costly. Worn suspension parts compromise steering and braking systems, and dramatically reduce tire life. One failing component will put stress on everything else in a complex system. If you ignore a suspension issue, you could eventually face extensive repair costs or a dangerous accident.