Spring Cleaning Your Suspension: What to Inspect

By Daren Foertsch

When spring rolls in, it’s not just your garage or shop that deserves a deep clean—your suspension system does too. After a long winter of salty roads, potholes, and unpredictable weather, your suspension components can take a serious beating. Giving it some attention now can improve ride quality, extend component life, and keep your ride safe and dialed in for all the adventures ahead.

Start with your shocks and struts, since they’re often the first to show signs of wear. If you notice oil around them, that’s a clear warning sign. Leaking fluid means they’re not absorbing impacts the way they should, which can lead to a rough ride, sloppy handling, and uneven tire wear. A quick test? Push down on the corner of your truck—if it bounces more than once, it's probably time for replacements.

While you’re down there, take a good look at your bushings and mounts. Winter’s cold temps and road salt are harsh on rubber, often causing cracks or dry rot. If you notice a few new clunks and squeaks, or your suspension feels loose over bumps, worn bushings could be to blame. Check for excess play in control arms or sway bars, and if you’re already replacing worn rubber, consider upgrading to polyurethane for better durability and responsiveness.

From there, move on to the ball joints and tie rod ends. These are critical components that keep your steering sharp and your suspension geometry stable. A simple test is to grab the tire at the top and bottom and rock it—if you feel any looseness, it’s time to dig deeper. Clunking noises, uneven tire wear, or wandering steering are all signs something’s up.

Now’s also a good time to inspect your springs and any lift components you’ve got installed. Whether you’re running factory coils or a full aftermarket lift, check for corrosion, sagging, or cracks. If you added a leveling kit or spacers, make sure everything is still seated correctly and none of the hardware is loose. And with towing and hauling season right around the corner, upgrading to heavy-duty or progressive-rate springs might be worth considering.

Even if everything checks out mechanically, alignment issues can sneak in after a rough winter. If your steering wheel feels off-center or your truck pulls to one side, you’re probably overdue for a realignment. Uneven tire wear is often the first sign. While you're at it, rotate those tires and give the tread a good inspection—keeping everything dialed in saves money in the long run.

And finally, once all the checks are done, give your undercarriage a thorough cleaning with a strong degreaser such as Super Clean, Salt Away or if you’re in a pinch Dawn dish soap works. Winter grime, salt, and road debris can cling to your suspension and eat away at metal over time. A good wash not only helps prevent rust, but it also makes it easier to spot potential issues before they get worse.

Spring cleaning doesn’t just mean refreshing—it’s also the perfect opportunity to upgrade. If you’ve been feeling every bump in the road or you’re planning to hit the trails or tow more this season, it might be time to invest in new performance shocks, control arms, or an upgraded lift kit. At Legends Auto Parts, we’ve got the suspension parts you need to make your ride legendary!

Ready to upgrade your suspension game? Browse our Suspension Collection now or hit us up with questions—our crew is here to help!