• Mechanics Direct Working HoursMON – FRI: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
  • Mechanics Direct Location 1375 Middlesex St. Lowell, MA 01851
Subaru Suspension

How To Fix Suspension Issues In Your Subaru

by Mechanics Direct October 25, 2021

Subaru was founded in 1953 and headquartered in Tokyo, Japan as an automobile manufacturing division of Subaru Corporation. Through rigorous testing, Subaru vehicles are built to high standards in comfort, performance, and durability. While all of these automobiles meet the minimum standards, Subarus are known for suspension issues.

A suspension system is a protective, shock-absorbing system made of many components including springs and shocks.

  • Springs found in the suspension system are designed to control the height and load of the suspension and cabin.
  • Shocks, also known as dampers, are designed to absorb kinetic energy transmitted from your tires when they make contact with the road.

Subaru utilizes a 4-wheel independent suspension system designed for ground clearance and exceptional balance to handle any obstacles the road throws your way. The smoothness of the double-wishbone rear suspension design reacts to bumps in the road without compromising the performance of the vehicle.

Symptoms of Suspension Issues

There are several symptoms associated with suspension issues with the most common being:

  • Excessive vehicle bouncing when hitting a bump
  • Your car may pull more to one side or the other
  • The nose of your Subaru may dip low when coming to a stop
  • Oily shock absorbers indicating a fluid leak

Poor handling, an abnormally rough ride, and excessive bouncing while driving your Subaru are commonly reported symptoms of suspension issues. Have your Subaru inspected immediately if any of these signs are present as they increase the risk of a motor vehicle accident occurring that could cause serious bodily injury to the driver and other occupants.

When your Subaru pulls harder to one side or the other your vehicle is likely experiencing an “offalignment as a result of a worn-out suspension system. It is important that you have your vehicle’s alignment checked if you experience uneven tire wear, your vehicle pulling to one side, or you find yourself needing to replace tires more often than usual.

As you apply the brakes when coming to a stop, the front of your Subaru will sink slightly lower depending on how hard you apply the brakes. When the suspension system is failing, damaged, or worn your vehicle will “nose dive” significantly as you press the brakes – no matter how hard the brakes are applied.

While the above-mentioned signs are noticeable to Subaru users while they are driving, there is something that can indicate a suspension system problem before you enter the vehicle. Visually inspect your Subaru while it is not moving. If one corner appears to be lower than the other three, the springs in your Subaru suspension are no longer functioning as it was designed to do.

Components of the Subaru suspension system are made of cast steel, aluminum, or forged steel making them unable to be repaired in the event of damage. Expert mechanics recommend that drivers do not attempt to straighten a damaged suspension component due to the increased risk of bodily injury. Suspension parts that are damaged due to road debris, a collision, or normal wear require drivers to replace the damaged part with a new one.

Mechanics Direct for Your Subaru

Mechanics Direct, located in Lowell, MA, is a family-owned and operated Japanese and German automotive repair shop. Our team has been helping drivers of Lowell and the surrounding areas of North Chelmsford, Chelmsford, Dracut, Tyngsborough, and Westford, MA for 23 years.

Subaru Suspension Maintenance

Our team collectively holds over 145 years of experience in the automotive industry. The experts that makeup Mechanics Direct are ASE Master Certified Technicians, ASE Certified Air Conditioning specialists, emissions repair certified, and have years of factory training.

We provide:

  • Complimentary loaner cars available upon request
  • Complimentary shuttle services to get you where you need to be
  • A complete vehicle health check sent directly to your mobile phone via text message
  • GOLD Nationwide 3-year / 36,000-mile warranty on all parts and labor

Our technicians provide a 110-point inspection, free of charge, on all cars that enter our facility. With a direct line of communication between the vehicle owner and mechanic assigned to repairs, we guarantee you will drive away with complete satisfaction. Give us a call today to set up an appointment that fits with your busy schedule. You can also stop in and speak to one of our technicians. We look forward to helping you maintain your Subaru!