Signs Associated With Broken Rear Springs in a Volkswagen

Signs Associated With Broken Rear Springs in a Volkswagen

Do you know that faulty rear springs can easily be detected during a routine inspection? This article will show you the most common signs to look out for in your Volkswagen to spot a broken or failing rear spring.

Your suspension system is designed to ensure your car gives you a smooth and comfortable ride, and the rear spring is an essential part of that system. These springs help absorb the jolts from bumps and potholes in the road, and also help your tires stay in constant contact with the road. When your springs start to wear out, you’ll definitely feel the difference in the previously smooth drive from your VW.

How To Spot A Faulty Rear Spring In VW

• Vehicle Sagging: This is a visually observable sign. If a rear spring is broken, it may cause your VW to sag or sit lower on the side where the spring is damaged. This is because the spring can no longer support the weight of the car effectively. The sagging might be more noticeable when the vehicle is parked and can be an indicator that one of the rear springs has significantly weakened or broken.
• Poor Handling and Stability: If one or both of the rear springs are damaged, you may notice that your car feels less stable during sharp turns or while cornering. This instability occurs because the broken spring cannot maintain the car’s balance and poise, affecting its responsiveness and control.
• Visible Damage or Corrosion: In some instances, you can physically inspect the rear springs for any signs of damage or corrosion. If the break is significant, you might see a part of the spring hanging, a gap where the spring has snapped, or signs of severe rusting and corrosion.
• Excessive Bouncing: A well-functioning rear spring will absorb much of the up-and-down movement caused by uneven road surfaces, leading to a smoother ride. If a spring is broken, this dampening effect is lost, resulting in a rougher ride where your VW feels overly bouncy or jarring. This is particularly noticeable when driving over speed bumps, potholes, or uneven terrain, as the vehicle will struggle to absorb the impacts properly.

Preventing Broken Rear Spring Failure

• Avoid Overloading: Every car model has a maximum weight capacity, which includes the weight of the vehicle itself, passengers, and any cargo. Consistently overloading your Volkswagen puts excessive stress on the suspension system, including the rear springs. While the occasional heavy load won’t usually do immediate damage, if you consistently overload your car, your springs will suffer, so be careful of the weight you’re putting in your vehicle. The maximum load capacity is usually found in the owner’s manual or on a sticker inside the driver’s door.
• Drive Carefully: The way you drive can significantly impact the health of your suspension system. Driving habits like aggressively hitting potholes, speed bumps, or taking curbs at high speeds can put sudden and excessive strain on your rear springs. While the springs are designed to absorb impacts, they do have a limit, so they can become damaged or even outright break if you drive too aggressively. Driving carefully, especially when the road is a little rough, can extend the life of your springs.
• Regular Inspections: While it’s always tempting to wait until there is a problem to act, it can really pay off to have your suspension inspected regularly. This is because many issues with the suspension, like a weakening or damaged spring, aren’t always immediately noticeable to the average driver. Regular inspections can catch these problems early before they lead to more serious issues like a complete spring failure.

Make Automotive Perfection Your Volkswagen’s Best Friend

At Automotive Perfection, we pride ourselves on being the go-to destination for repairs and maintenance of Volkswagen vehicles in the Jackson area. Our technicians are all ASE Master certified, so we have the expertise your car needs to get back to running exactly the way it should. To go with that expertise, our facility has all the latest tools and technology, so you can always rest assured that we will have what your car needs.

We’re not just limited to serving the Jackson community; our services extend to residents of Albion, Battle Creek, Brooklyn, Chelsea, Grass Lake, Mason, and Spring Arbor, MI. Call or stop by today to learn how we can help make your Volkswagen’s ride smooth once more.