Signs of Suspension Issues in Your GMC Duramax

Over many years, GMC has built a reputation for incredible performance from their vehicles. So with the promise of such power and performance from a GMC Duramax , it’s easy to forget that these vehicles are not as indestructible as they may seem. The vigorous life of a pickup can open the way to a number of faults, primarily with your vehicle’s suspension .

The suspension not only manages the constant momentum of your vehicle to keep it stable, it carries the weight of the whole vehicle. So, even when the vehicle is not in motion, the suspension is still at work, holding the vehicle up.

It’s made up of a number of parts all connected to your vehicle’s wheels , and they all work together to provide you with reliable handling and a comfortable ride you expect. We’ve put together some signs to look for if you are having issues with your suspension.

Suspension is designed to offer a smooth ride for your vehicle. If you start to notice the ride quality is becoming rough and you’re feeling every deformity on the surface of the road, then you’ve probably got issues with your suspension.

There is a simple procedure you can do to test your suspension if you suspect an issue. With your vehicle parked, put all of your weight on its front end and observe how your vehicle reacts. If it bounces three times or more times when you release the pressure , then it is likely the shocks and/or struts of your suspension are worn and need to be replaced.

If you find your vehicle is struggling to drive consistently in a straight line, then a suspension issue could be the cause. However, this can be one of the harder symptoms to diagnose. Often this is caused because of a misalignment in your tires , which need to be aligned precisely to ensure a stable ride. But poor alignment can lead to uneven tire wear , decreased gas mileage , or your car veering left or right where you have to constantly fight with the steering wheel to keep it straight.

It is also important that you keep an eye on the air pressure of your tires. This is because your issue could simply be as a result of uneven tire pressure. Simply adjusting the air in your tires may be all you need to do, but if this doesn’t fix your issue and you still find yourself struggling to keep moving in a straight line, then get your suspension checked.

If you notice one of the corners of your vehicle is sitting lower than the others, even on level ground , then it is possible you could have a damaged spring . This can compromise control during cornering, because the damaged spring won’t be able to support the weight of the vehicle.

You can test the springs of your vehicle for damage by pushing down on the trunk of the vehicle, and listening to how the suspension reacts. If you hear a creaking or squealing sound , then you’ve definitely got a problem with your suspension.

While driving your vehicle, if you start to notice signs that it is leaning in any direction while in motion, such as backwards during acceleration, sideways while turning, or forwards when breaking, then there may be weaknesses in your suspension. Of course it is entirely possible to experience all of these things with forceful handling of your vehicle, but these events shouldn’t occur with everyday driving situations, such as coming to a gentle stop at a suburban intersection.

At Diesel Pickup Pros , we have locations in Floyds Knobs , Georgetown , Jeffersonville , New Albany , IN and Louisville KY . Our ASE-certified mechanics handle everything your GMC truck needs, and we offer a 24-month/24,000-mile warranty on all parts and labor. We work with you to determine the best service for your pickup so you always drive away safe and happy.

* GMC Duramax image credit goes to: Reimphoto.

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