Has your Volvo become less smooth to ride in than it used to be? Do you feel vibrations, noises, or other forms of shocks when you are driving over rough terrain? If so, you could be dealing with suspension bushing failure – a common problem that has an impact on your car’s performance.

Suspension bushings are rubber or polyurethane parts that are placed in between metal suspension parts. Their primary function is to act as a cushion to dampen impact and noise, and to eliminate metal-on-metal contact between components such as control arms, sway bars, and struts. If they get worn out, then you will experience a bumpy ride, uneven tire wear, and poor control when making turns. Failure to pay attention to worn bushings can also lead to more costly repairs in the future. Let’s see some of the signs that you will notice when you have failing suspension bushings, and how to go about fixing this problem.

Signs of a Failing Suspension Bushing

• Unusual Noises While Driving: One of the easiest-to-spot symptoms of bad suspension bushings is a squeaking or knocking sound when driving over potholes or any other kind of irregular surface. This is because the bushings are no longer able to provide the suspension components with a stable connection; instead, they allow the parts to rattle and make noise.
• Poor Handling and Steering Instability: You may notice that your Volvo sways or drift when you are turning; this may be as a result of faulty bushings. These components assist in maintaining the suspension’s position and flexibility, and when they degrade, handling may become unstable.
• Uneven Tire Wear: The bushings are responsible for maintaining the alignment of the suspension system, and if worn out, this will lead to uneven wearing of the tires. If you realize that your tires’ inside or outside edges are worn out, this is a clear indication of failed suspension bushing.
• Excessive Vibration: A damaged suspension bushing is unable to absorb excessive vibrations which makes your car’s ride feel rough. You could get a sensation through the steering wheel or the body of the vehicle, and this is even truer at high speeds.

How to Fix Volvo Suspension Bushing Failure

• Check the Suspension System: Before changing any suspension part, it is essential to conduct a check on the suspension system. A qualified mechanic will inspect all the suspension parts such as the control arms, sway bars, and shocks and struts to establish if the bushings are the issue.
• Replace Worn Bushings: If the original bushings are cracked, deteriorated, or missing, they have to be replaced with new ones. This repair process may require the removal of the suspension parts, to extract the old bushings and fit new ones. In various Volvo models, some of the bushings are already affixed to larger parts such as the control arms, meaning you may need a full part replacement.
• Select the Best Bushing Material: When it comes to bushing, there are two choices; rubber or polyurethane. Rubber bushings give the car a factory feel, while polyurethane bushings give increased durability and better road handling, but come at the cost of a little more road noise. Your mechanic will be able to advise you on which option will suit you best depending on how you drive your car.
• Perform an Alignment Check: It is important to have the wheel alignment done after the bushing replacement has been done. Since the bushings contribute to the correct suspension geometry, changing them might affect the alignment slightly. Omitting this step may result in tires wearing out unevenly and other handling problems.

Our Team Of Specialists Can Help With Your Volvo Suspension System

At Tanner Motors, we specialize in Volvo repair and maintenance services, and we are professionals in what we do. Our mechanics understand suspension problems and can replace the worn out bushing and can also do wheel alignment to make your Volvo have a good ride. We are located in Phoenix, AZ. If you are experiencing any signs of suspension issues with your Volvo, do not let it get worse any further, contact us for our services.